Every May, National Travel and Tourism Week presents the events industry with a chance to further highlight the importance of tourism and travel and how it impacts our communities.  During this week, Visit Saint Paul, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, seizes the opportunity to shine a light on the many local businesses and attractions that Saint Paul offers to visitors. This month, Visit Saint Paul hosted their bimonthly Member Meeting during National Travel and Tourism Week at Saint Paul RiverCentre, shining a light on the value of gathering together in meeting spaces.

From a family-friendly mix of history and architecture to tasty restaurants to scenic river views, Saint Paul has a lot to offer for any local or out-of-state tourist. “It is a small-town feel with lots of great amenities,” Visit Saint Paul Marketing & Partnership Director Chelsea Fey said.

Among the state capital city’s treasures is Saint Paul RiverCentre, a key partner in bringing business and economic growth to the area. “We work closely with Saint Paul RiverCentre to provide a top-notch experience when we’re trying to sell the city,” Fey said. “The RiverCentre is so easy to sell because of the great service, awesome food and a real hospitable, family-feel. And that impact spills out into the neighboring hotels and properties.”

In the five and a half years Fey has worked for Visit Saint Paul, she saw the events industry forced to evolve as the pandemic changed life in 2020. While she feels that events seem to very much be back, clients’ standards for their events have been elevated. “Their level of expectations for what they are going to receive and experience has risen,” Fey said.

But more and more meeting rooms are being filled, and for each room booked at Saint Paul RiverCentre this year, the organization will plant a tree to commemorate its 25th anniversary. This is one of many ways the convention center is helping give back to the surrounding community.

With a high demand for travel in the beautiful Minnesota summer, Saint Paul is poised to be in the center of the tourism circuit.  “Bringing visitors in creates a strong economic impact," Fey said. "I think we are in a pretty good position to continue to be economically successful."