Grand Portage Enterprise Administrator Steven Standing Cloud (left) accepts the Competitive Travel Marketing Award at the Explore Minnesota award dinner at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd in January. Presenting the award is Explore MN’s John Edman.
Staff reports
Grand Portage Lodge and Casino has been recognized for its marketing efforts with the recent announcement that it is the winner of TheCompetitive Travel Marketing Award for its Canadian Passport Program.
Grand Portage Lodge conducted passport application clinics in Thunder Bay, Ontario for residents who enjoy visiting Grand Portage. Grand Portage assisted nearly 800 people in obtaining their passports.
The awards program is conducted each year by Explore Minnesota to salute outstanding achievements in travel promotion, public relations, and the advertising of Minnesota’s many travel destinations and attractions. An independent team of marketing professionals chose the winning entries.
Steven Standing Cloud, Grand Portage Enterprise administrator, accepted the award during the annual Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference in Brainerd. Reached by phone this week, Standing Cloud said it was very exciting to be recognized by the statewide organization.
“This puts us on the map, so to speak,” said Standing Cloud. “I hear so many people say, ‘I’ve been to Grand Marais but haven’t gone all the way up to Grand Portage. This will remind people that Grand Portage is a special place to visit.”
Several other organizations, businesses and individuals were recognized for their contributions to the state’s travel industry. Other award winners were Destination Bloomington, Lake City Tourism Bureau, the Morrissey Hospitality Companies, Ely Chamber of Commerce, and Mall of America/ Destination Bloomington.
“It was exciting to be recognized at the event with the Mall of America. Even though we have something different to offer, it shows that we are a tourism destination,” said Standing Cloud.
“This is the sort of thing that benefits the whole county,” said Diane Brostrom, director of the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association.
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