Visitor's Bureau Names Director

BLAINE, Minn., May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Minnesota Metro North Tourism (MMNT), a newly-formed visitor's bureau representing nine (9) suburban communities in the Minneapolis – St. Paul metropolitan area, announces the appointment of Steve Markuson as its Managing Director.

According to MMNT President Al Stauffacher, "We are pleased to have Steve Markuson with his expertise and proven qualifications leading this new venture. As cliche as it may sound, in this case, the sum is, indeed, greater than the parts for the new organization.  We have the unique opportunity to not only promote all of the great visitor experiences available throughout the Twin Cities region, but also to let prospective visitors and visitors alike know about the diverse and often undiscovered gems offered by each of our participating member cities."  

MMNT, a non-profit corporation, is funded by the 3% local option lodging tax collected by the lodging properties located within the nine participating communities.  MMNT is governed by a 19 member Board of Directors and represents the communities of Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, and Shoreview.  The goal of MMNT is to maximize the destination area's exposure to consumers and prospective visitors, as well as to promote member cities, regional attractions, festivals & events, sports tourism, leisure travel, and general business travel.

Steve Markuson brings 30 years of comprehensive travel and tourism industry experience to the Managing Director position, including senior-level management positions with the Minnesota Office of Tourism, Northwest Airlines, Inc., The Resort at Glacier National Park (MT), and Sun Valley, Idaho.  He notes, "I'm excited to have the opportunity to increase the tourism and community-related economic impacts for each of the nine cities represented by MMNT."  Markuson resides in St. Paul, MN and will start his new position immediately.

SOURCE Minnesota Metro North Tourism