Melvin Tennant, CAE, is the 63-year-old president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. He also serves on the boards of Association Forum, Hennepin Theatre Trust, and Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities.
How I got here:
My first DMO job was as a part-time visitor information specialist at the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Council (as it was known then) while I was in college. Upon graduation, my two-time boss, Greg Ortale, asked me if I would like to continue on full-time, and I did. After a couple of promotions, I began several career moves that resulted in CEO positions with destination marketing organizations in Oakland, Charlotte, San Antonio, and here in Minneapolis for the last 15 years.
Greatest career accomplishment:
I hope it hasn’t yet occurred, but our team landing Super Bowl LII for our city stands out. We were able to secure it over 10-time host New Orleans. I am also gratified by the accomplishments of individuals whom I have managed over the years who have later moved into senior leadership positions, several as DMO CEOs.
A specific improvement I’ve made:
Our team has intentionally worked to see that we are represented by all dimensions of diversity. This is important since we represent such a richly diverse community in Minneapolis and are seeking to attract a broad customer base to experience our community. That requires us to have diverse storytellers to authentically tell that story.
We have focused on the diversity of our volunteer leadership as well. Hiring our first VP of EDI will help us expand this work.
The biggest change I've observed in the industry:
The clients we serve have become increasingly resourceful in acquiring destination information. DMOs once had a stranglehold on the dissemination of information. There have been several times when there was a fear that DMOs might become extinct because of new travel industry technology. DMOs must remain vigilant and relevant, and leverage the access to local relationships and authentic experiences that can only be curated by committed and passionate destination representatives.
What I do outside of work:
I enjoy outside activities, whether it is yardwork, hiking, or fitness. I try very hard to make sure my wife and I have a consistent date night every Thursday. She works a lot to help members of our unsheltered community through providing food, clothing, and encouragement, and I assist her with that on weekends.
My No. 1 piece of career advice I'd give my younger self:
Pay attention to what’s going on in the moment! There are patterns and recurring events that we should all learn from because there is (almost) nothing new under sun when it comes to trends in the travel/hospitality industry.
Connect with Tennant on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
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