HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.2a Affiliate Welcome Center Program Memo
TO: Board of Directors, Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau
FROM: Julie Prior-Miller, Marketing and Communications Specialist
DATE: November 19, 2021
RE: Affiliate Welcome Center Program
Background
Dozens of community welcome centers across the state are designated as Explore Minnesota
Affiliates. Explore Minnesota provides these centers with the use of the Explore Minnesota logo
on signs and state travel brochures to distribute to visitors. Affiliate locations are included in
Explore Minnesota publications and on our consumer website, exploreminnesota.com.
Discussion
The program is designed to provide standardized information for “on the road” travelers and
increase the economic benefits to the state and its communities. Benefits of the program to
participating communities include access to state maps, use of the Explore Minnesota Tourism
logo in signing and geographically incorporating Explore Minnesota Affiliate Welcome Center
locations on Explore Minnesota Tourism publications and website to increase visitor awareness.
The primary benefit to the State is a consistent distribution of quality services and materials to the
traveling public. Agreements will be based on services, with no financial payments taking place.
On September 16, 2021 we applied to be a part of the Explore Minnesota Affiliate Welcome Center
Program. On October 11, 2021 we heard back that the Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors
Bureau was approved and that the Cottage Grove Ice Arena had been approved as the Affiliate
location.
Explore Minnesota Tourism will provide Minnesota Travel Guides, Minnesota Explorer
newspapers, Minnesota Highway Maps, Explore Minnesota decals and the use of Explore
Minnesota logos. Explore Minnesota Tourism will also provide to the Cottage Grove Convention
and Visitors Bureau (CGCVB) promotion in selected state publications and/or on
www.exploreminnesota.com. The CGCVB will provide a welcome center with a physical facility
which is the Cottage Grove Ice Arena that will be staffed to provide customer service and promote
travel in Minnesota, monitoring and reordering materials as needed, and monthly tracking report
for the period of this agreement. This is an exchange of services agreement only, with no
monetary exchange between the parties, in-kind value of $5,000. Either party can cancel this
agreement at any time with thirty days written notice. This agreement will authorize The Cottage
Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau as an Explore Minnesota Welcome Center starting
January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026.
Board of Directors, Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau
Nov. 20, 2021
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Recommendation
Receive the Explore Minnesota Welcome Center Program information.
Attachments:
Explore Minnesota Affiliate Welcome Center Program Memorandum of Understanding