Duluth Hosts Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference

Annual event draws over 400 industry professionals to the Northland

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The annual Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference was held in Duluth for the first time in nearly 13 years, drawing more than 400 attendees to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on February 11 and 12. The conference brought together tourism industry professionals from destination marketing organizations, hotels, attractions, and other businesses to discuss trends and strategies for promoting travel to the Northland region.

Why it matters

The Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference is a key event for the state's travel and hospitality industry, providing an opportunity for networking, learning, and collaboration. Hosting the conference in Duluth helps raise the profile of the city and the broader Northland region as a tourism destination, potentially driving increased visitation and economic activity.

The details

The two-day conference featured educational sessions, networking events, and an expo showcasing Minnesota destinations, hotels, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses. Attendees discussed topics such as marketing, sustainability, and the evolving needs of travelers in a post-pandemic landscape.

  • The Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference took place on February 11 and 12, 2026.
  • The conference had not been held in Duluth for nearly 13 years prior to this event.

The players

Explore Minnesota Tourism

The state's tourism promotion office, responsible for marketing Minnesota as a travel destination.

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

The venue that hosted the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference in Duluth.

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What they’re saying

“Hosting the Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference in Duluth is a great opportunity to showcase our city and the broader Northland region as a premier travel destination.”

— Mayor Emily Larson, Mayor of Duluth (Duluth News Tribune)

What’s next

The Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference is expected to return to Duluth in the coming years, providing ongoing opportunities to promote the region's tourism assets.

The takeaway

The successful hosting of the Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference in Duluth underscores the city's growing reputation as a vibrant tourism hub, with its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and cultural attractions drawing increasing numbers of visitors to the Northland.