2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Tourism professionals became the tourists today at the DECC.

Visit Duluth got to host the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference.

The conference is a learning and networking opportunity for tourism groups.

It’s been about a decade since the last time Duluth got to host this conference.

It brought about 600 visitors to the area.

The Executive Director of Visit Duluth said, these big events is a major way of bringing tourism tax to the city of Duluth.

“Not only do they come back and visit Duluth over time, but they also may move here. You know, that’s a really big part of what we do at visit Duluth and destination Duluth and the deck in the city. We’re all working to bring people to the city of Duluth, no matter the reason. Our ultimate goal would be that they come to live here and become a part of our community. But if you’re just here to stay for the weekend, we love that too.” said Haley Hedstrom, Executive Director of Visit Duluth.

Hedstrom emphasized that tourism doesn’t just benefit the immediate Duluth area.

Visitors often travel through the region, both intentionally visiting and stopping while passing through.