For Immediate Release

Mary Haugen Mary.Haugen@state.mn.us March 7, 2024 Media Resources Previous Announcements

Governor Walz Urges Small Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow to Apply for Business Assistance [ST. PAUL, MN] – As Minnesota continues to face record-high winter temperatures, Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota has unlocked federal funding for small businesses impacted by this winter’s historic drought conditions. Amid the warmest winter on record, federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 81 Minnesota counties. Governor Walz urges small business owners to apply for assistance as soon as possible. “From skiing and snowshoeing to winter festivals, snowy winters are part of our way of life in Minnesota. The low precipitation we’ve experienced this winter has had a real economic impact on small businesses that rely on snow and winter tourism to grow and survive,” said Governor Walz. “I encourage all impacted business owners to apply for assistance as soon as possible.” From December to February, Minnesota experienced the warmest meteorological winter on record. Through February 29th, there has only been 14.3” of snow in the Twin Cities, the second-lowest season total on record. In Duluth, only 15.7” snow has fallen, with an average snow depth of 1.8” – both among the five lowest measures on record. This lack of precipitation has exacerbated an ongoing drought. Eighty one counties in Minnesota are currently covered by U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster declarations for drought. Impacted businesses in counties with a drought declaration can apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The loans are designed to help businesses get through emergency situations that have impacted their economic well-being. Under the EIDL program, businesses can borrow up to $2 million to cover their actual losses. Businesses pay no interest on the loan for the first year and a maximum rate of four percent for the rest of the loan period. In order to take advantage of the program, businesses must apply by the application deadline for their county, listed below. There are 81 counties in Minnesota covered by 13 disaster declarations. Business owners can learn more about eligibility, find an application, and learn more about application deadlines for their county at the SBA’s disaster assistance page. Businesses impacted by a lack of precipitation will enter their county’s name and see a list of all open disasters for their county. They should pick one where the incident includes “drought.” Submit applications and find additional disaster assistance information at https://lending.sba.gov. Applicants may also contact Minnesota’s Small Business Development Centers and SBA’s Customer Service Center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. You can also call 800-659-2955 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. Find out how DEED delivers for Minnesota by visiting theDEED website, JoinUsMn.com, CareerForceMN.com orfollow us on X. ### Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.

The University of Minnesota Tourism Center and the MN Climate Adaptation Partnership are co-hosting a webinar on climate and outdoor events on March 19. 

Join us for a conversation with leaders in outdoor recreation across our region — including organizers of Wisconsin’s Birkie ski race —about how outdoor events can plan for and adapt to climate change, and how we can embrace equitable action in climate adaptation. Click here for more information and to register: https://climate.umn.edu/adaptation-action-webinar-series

Position Summary

Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department is looking for a highly motivated and collaborative individual who has a desire to make a difference in the Brooklyn Park community. This is a new position that will work alongside another Community Events Specialist to plan the Celebrate Brooklyn Park event series. Both of the Community Events Specialists work to build events that create opportunities for community gathering, celebration, and engagement.
 
 This full-time position is responsible for planning a full complement of events including a large community market, summer concerts, and various community celebrations throughout the year. Both of the Community Events Specialists participate in a multi-department group of City staff who work collaboratively on events and outreach throughout the year.
 
This position works under the general supervision of the Recreation Supervisor in the Recreation Services Division of the Recreation and Parks Department

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and implement community events that are culturally relevant and engaging in support of the Brooklyn Park 2025 Goals
• Collaborate with a multi-department team of employees to host multiple events per year for 250 to 1500+ participants
• Collaborate with the Community Engagement and Communication teams to develop communication and engagement plans that ensure participation in events, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities
• Develop and maintain strong connections to community members and organizations in Brooklyn Park
• Management of overlapping project timelines for individual events
• Ensure City policies are followed, provide support for ongoing volunteer recruitment, secure assistance for events operation from other City departments, negotiate contracts and ensure the overall safety of events
• Recruit and select contractors, vendors, performers, and sponsors for events operation
• Work with other City departments to develop and promote sponsorship options for events 
• Co-manage community events budget to operate within identified resources
• Update and maintain City events calendar and Celebrate Brooklyn Park website 
• Perform other duties as assigned

View the full job posting & apply here >>

Announcing the 2024 Mall of America Brochure Program

Explore Minnesota is pleased to offer the tourism brochure program at the Mall of America (MOA) again in 2024. All Minnesota tourism-related businesses and organizations are invited to participate. To qualify, brochures must contain predominately Minnesota tourism/travel information, and are subject to approval. By participating in the program, your printed materials will be available at the north and west entrances at the Mall of America. The north addition is MOA's primary tourist entrance where hotel shuttles, motor-coach buses and taxis drop-off and pick-up guests. There are two brochure sizes and rates available: Sizes For Profit Non-Profit Rack Card (Up to and including 4 x 9) $600 $525 Magazine (Over 4 x 9 to 8.5 x 11) $800 $650 Click on the following link to download the MOA participation instructions. Complete and return the 2024 Mall of America brochure program agreement to: Gail Walkowiak at gail.walkowiak@state.mn.us.

Interstate Parking is looking for outgoing, hardworking, and energetic people to be part of our world-class parking operations team at the 2023 Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN as Cashiers and Traffic Directors.  As a member of our team, you’ll help make the Renaissance Festival happen! 

These part-time positions pay $17 per hour.  In the Cashier role, you'll assist guests as they pay for parking.  In the Traffic Director role, you'll direct guests to available parking spaces.  In addition, you must be at least 14 years old, have a friendly smile, be able to work outside - heat or cold, rain or shine.

If interested, please email jallain@interstateparking.com to learn more.

Dates and Shifts Available

Work the days and shifts that best fit your schedule!  The 2023 Minnesota Renaissance Festival runs seven consecutive weekends from August 19^th through October 1^st.  This includes all Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Monday, September 4th (Labor Day) and Friday, September 29^th.  Each day we have three shift options – Morning (6 AM to Noon), Mid-Day (10 AM to 4 PM), and Late (2 PM to 8 PM). 

Attire

We want you to be safe and comfortable.  With that in mind, you’ll be provided with a high-visibility shirt and hat.  Beyond that, you’ll need to wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and clean khaki (or black) shorts or pants. 

Perks

In addition to being part of a world-class team and helping ensure 100,000+ festival goers have a great time, we provide free on-site parking, snacks, and beverages.  You’ll also have a chance to earn free Renaissance Festival tickets.

Pay

These roles pay $17 per hour.  As a part-time seasonal employee of Interstate Parking, you’ll be paid on a bi-weekly basis via direct deposit or paper check.

2024 Recovery Grant Program 

The 2024 Recovery Grant Program is funded and administered by Explore Minnesota for the purpose of providing funds to individual and collaborative nonprofit Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and other tourism promotion organizations by providing funds for the purpose of tourism marketing and promotion for the economic benefit of their communities.

Learn more >>

Minnesota State Arts Board seeking grant application reviewers

Did you know that more than 300 Minnesotans read the grant applications the Arts Board receives each year, and those reviewers help determine which applications receive funding?

If you'd like to be one of those people, we'd welcome your help!

Reviewers do not need to work in the arts. Any Minnesotan who has some experience in an art form or has some experience with nonprofit organizations may serve.  Serving as a grant application reviewer means that you'll read 20-30 grant applications, discuss those applications in a virtual meeting, and then score the applications.  We need reviewers from July 2023 to January 2024, so we will work with you to find a time to serve that fits your schedule.  Reviewers receive a stipend for their service.

Reviewers who’ve served in the past say they appreciate learning about the exciting work Minnesota artists and organizations are doing and learning about the grant seeking and grant making process.

Your perspectives and your voice are important.

Sign up to be a reviewer today! If you have questions, contact the Arts Board at (800) 866-2787 or panelists@arts.state.mn.us.

 

The Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency that stimulates and encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state.  It works to ensure that all Minnesotans can participate in and benefit from the arts.

MAKE YOUR VIDEOS INTERACTIVE + DISTRIBUTE THROUGH THIS CO-OP

Clicktivated's interactive video technology directly connects viewers to any individual location or attraction of interest with a simple click, tap or touch as they watch. It also creates endless engagement opportunities and a new and powerful form of measurable in-video viewer engagement data for both onsite video and paid media. 

The goal is to deliver a best-in-class interactive video experience for on-site distribution and the option for an optimized paid media campaign to reach a target audience to promote tourism within Minnesota.

• Powerful: 45%+ Interaction rate and 18%+ CTR averages on site
• Quick: < 24-hour activation
• Innovative: An evolved, clean, and modern experience that speaks to today's consumer
• Robust: A brand new granular set of viewer interaction data

For images + trailer, Click Here

*MEDIA ALERT*

LIGHTHOUSE IMMERSIVE INVITES GUESTS

TO ITS ART-A-WHIRL ACTIVATION

 

WHAT:            Lighthouse Immersive Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios Immersive Disney Animation continues in May with additional opportunities to see the groundbreaking show in Minneapolis and take part in the largest open studio tour in the country, Art-A-Whirl, for a free, family-friendly event.

Back for its second year during the event, Lighthouse ArtSpace’s free hydration station will feature ice water, homemade organic lemonade, and a non-alcoholic seltzer from Sociable Cider Werks for patrons of Art-A-Whirl.

At the station, there will be a chance to win four free tickets to Immersive Disney Animation! There will also be a trivia game for a chance to win more free prizes.

 

WHERE:          Lighthouse ArtSpace 

1515 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis

Lighthouse Artspace guests attending Immersive Disney Animation during Art-A-Whirl will receive priority parking in the privately managed lot at 1505 Central Ave., right next to the entrance of the venue. Spaces are limited. Guests who show their ticket to parking staff will pay a discounted rate of $10, 50% off the regular Art-A-Whirl rate of $20.

 

WHEN:            Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21

HOURS:           Noon – 5 p.m.

MORE:            https://www.lighthouseartspace.com/event/disney-animation-immersive-experience-minneapolis#/

 

ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE IMMERSIVE:

Lighthouse Immersive creates, produces and distributes innovative digital immersive art experiences through its experiential multiplex digital art galleries, aiming to cultivate community and creativity through large-scale events and exhibitions of all art forms. Lighthouse Immersive has produced the world premieres of Immersive Van Gogh, Immersive Frida Kahlo, Immersive King Tut and Immersive Klimt: Revolution in more than 21 North American cities, including Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Boston and Denver, and is currently expanding into additional markets. To date, they have sold over 6 million tickets to Immersive Van Gogh across North America, with Artnet calling it “one of the largest coordinated art phenomena of all time.”

 

#             #             #

 

Local Press Contacts:

Molly Mulvehill Steinke, Nemer Fieger, molly@nemerfieger.com, 612-309-1677

Mike Haberman, Nemer Fieger, mhaberman@nemerfieger.com, 612-432-9898

Lighthouse Immersive Studios US Press Contact:

Nick Harkin, Carol Fox and Associates, nickh@carolfoxassociates.com, 773-329-1496

 

Walt Disney Animation Studios Contact:

Amy Astley, Amy.Astley@disney.com

Canterbury Park

Entertainment & Promotions Assistant Manager

Description

The Entertainment and Promotions Assistant Manager will assist in managing a variety of projects for the department; including logistical and oversight support for the creation and execution of Live Racing promotions, events and entertainment initiatives and promotional strategies. Additionally, this position will assist with supervising the seasonal interns and guest services seasonal staff.

We seek someone who is capable of understanding event planning, marketing, promotions and operational objectives, is great at managing deadlines and is extremely detail oriented. The Events & Promotions Coordinator will ensure consistent event execution to accelerate demand generation productivity. This candidate will work closely and collaboratively with a variety of teams. 

Responsible for supporting the Company’s mission, vision, and values by providing fun and games like no place else, and adheres to the Canterbury Way by focusing on our core values of family, fun, integrity, and community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead by example.

• Responsible for maintaining a high degree of hospitality, as well as a positive and professional demeanor at all times. 

• Creates high levels of morale, fosters teamwork, inspires collaboration, delegates effectively and coaches and mentors direct reports for growth opportunities.

• Manage day-to-day execution of assigned projects ensuring communication and information flow timely and effectively, and performance of strategy on all projects remains consistent.

• Assist in planning and execution of events and live racing entertainment schedule in collaboration with senior management staff.

• Coordinate the execution of entertainment, promotions both onsite and offsite.

• Draft copy for email blasts, ticketing website and schedule according to the content calendar.

• Coordinate marketing and ticketing strategies to promote entertainment events and live racing promotions

• Assist with promotions, contests, & entertainment bits on the track as directed by Director of Entertainment

• Assist with the oversight of the seasonal interns including scheduling, conflict management and performance evaluations. 

• Create effective internal communication to ensure company-wide understanding of upcoming events and necessary operational details.

• Respond to and execute charitable donation request under established donations guidelines.

• Support smooth execution of live racing traffic by coordinating with sponsorship, marketing, TV, tote board operators, and more.

• May be called upon to conduct tours of facility or to engage audience on the microphone during live racing promotions.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Learn more about this position and apply here