Print Advertising
Explore Minnesota Tourism prints publications for consumers on a regular basis.
"We definitely use print travel brochures to plan our trips."
That was the strong message Explore Minnesota Tourism got from consumers in a series of focus groups. Travelers said they use both print materials and online resources to get information about destinations.
Often, they go online only after getting ideas from travel brochures. Many commented that they found print ads a helpful resource in finding out about places to visit and places to stay.
Below are just a few of the brochures that offer advertising opportunities. All other print advertising opportunities are closed for the year. Missed this opportunity this year? Ask us about Web advertising to fill the gap until next year's editions!
Minnesota Travel Guide
Travelers continue to ask for a printed statewide travel guide, even though they may also visit travel websites. In fact, many order the Travel Guide from our website. Bottom line: It's still important to reach consumers through print advertising.
The Minnesota Travel Guide is the state's official travel brochure, promoting Minnesota's diverse travel destinations and activities; it also includes a comprehensive accommodations grid. Display advertising opportunities are available in a variety of sizes and costs.
The Travel Guide reaches a very qualified audience of consumers interested in planning trips in Minnesota. It is the primary response piece distributed by Explore Minnesota Tourism, and is sent in response to inquiries generated by our advertising campaigns. This guide is also promoted through our website, banner ads on external Web sites, online advertising, e-mail blasts, and special promotions, and is distributed at dozens of visitor centers across the state.
Minnesota Travel Guide
Size: Approximately 160 pages; 8.5 X 11; glossy, 4-color format
Circulation: 300,000
Publication date: January of each year
Advertising: Ad sales period is May to September; early bird discount deadline in July
Your ad in the Minnesota Travel Guide:
- Makes you part of the only Explore Minnesota statewide travel guide.
- Reaches a highly qualified, targeted audience of travelers interested in Minnesota.
- Drives consumers to your website.
- Puts your community or business information in the hands of consumers as they plan their trips.
- Places you in a travel guide highly rated by consumers.
- Is a very cost effective way to reach more than 300,000 households with up to 600,000 potential customers
- Includes new online addition with links to advertisers' web sites at no additional charge.
- Complements your presence on www.exploreminnesota.com.
Download the 2014 Travel Guide Advertising Contract
Contacts:
Tim Campbell, 218.302.6378, 888.876.6784, tim.campbell@state.mn.us, or
David Bergman, 218.681.0997, 888.563.7777, david.bergman@state.mn.us
Missed this year's edition? Ask us about Web advertising.
Minnesota Fishing Brochure
The Minnesota Fishing brochure, published as 2-year editions, promotes Minnesota as a fishing destination to travelers. This full-color, 14-page guide describes the wide variety of fishing experiences and destinations in our state. Your business or community can be included in Minnesota Fishing through a low-cost descriptive listing, delivering your message to a targeted audience of travelers.
Check back in Fall 2014 regarding listings in the 2015-16 edition.
Two-year press run: 70,000.
Distribution: Through Explore Minnesota Tourism's web site and at Travel Information Centers across Minnesota.
See the 2012-13 Minnesota Fishing brochure
Minnesota State Highway Map
Put Your Company on the Map!
Your company's logo and message will be seen by more than 400,000 travelers as a sponsor for the Official Minnesota State Highway Maps printed annually by Explore Minnesota Tourism. The map is a valuable reference for route planning, mileage between cities, state parks, state historic sites and Explore Minnesota travel information. Reach people who are planning their trips. Most keep the map for at least one year -- consumers will see your ad many times.
The map is one of our most requested items, often in response to Explore Minnesota advertising. It is distributed through travel information centers across the state and ordered from exploreminnesota.com and our phone center.
Two advertising positions are offered, and are exclusive to your business category (i.e. only one restaurant, hotel or retailer). Ad design is subject to review by Explore Minnesota Tourism. Ad sponsorships are awarded on a first-come, first served basis. The back panel ad size is 4 3/8 wide X 5 3/4 high; an inside panel space is 3 3/8 wide X 8 3/4 high. Each is $15,000.
Map panel sponsorship - price $15,000/panel
For more information, contact:
Tim Campbell
888-876-6784 or 218-302-6378
tim.campbell@state.mn.us
Minnesota Explorer Newspaper
Display Advertising
The Minnesota Explorer is a travel newspaper published three times a year (spring/summer, fall and winter editions) in partnership with the Star Tribune, which sells display advertising for the publication. The Explorer is inserted into Sunday editions of the Star Tribune, and copies are distributed by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Details on purchasing ads in 2013 Minnesota Explorers. NOTE: The deadline for advertising in the Spring/Summer 2013 Minnesota Explorer has passed. The advertising deadline for the Fall edition is July 8, 2013. Check back soon for further details on advertising in the Fall Minnesota Explorer.
Costs:
$335 per column inch
Black, plus 1-color - $860
4-color - $2,085
Contact: Star Tribune, 612-673-7715
Community Listings
Nonprofit tourism promotion organizations (chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus) may purchase low-cost listings in each issue of the Minnesota Explorer. An e-mail is sent seasonally to tourism promotion organizations announcing this opportunities. Here are more details about purchasing listings.
Cost: $300 per issue; or $285/issue if purchasing all three issues
Contact: Star Tribune, 612-673-7715
Deadlines for display advertising and community listings in the Minnesota Explorer:
Spring/Summer 2013: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
Fall 2013: Monday, July 8, 2013
Winter 2013/14: Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
Calendar of Events listings
Have you ever wondered how to get the word out about your event - and do it for free?
Qualifying events in specific categories that meet our minimum criteria can be listed on our website, exploreminnesota.com. The categories include:
- Arts (musical performances, live theater, film and festivals, variety shows, dance performances, exhibits)
- Sports (biking, boating, fishing or golf tournaments, walk/run events, skiing, sled dogging events, snowmobiling rides or races, triathlons and more)
- Festivals & Events (art fairs, birding and wildlife events, community festivals, heritage events, music festivals, county fairs, studio tours and more)
Events must be submitted electronically using our Tourism Manager.
Events submitted by our publication deadlines will be considered for inclusion in the Minnesota Explorer newspaper. Deadlines listed below are approximate:
Spring/Summer (April through August) - Late November
Fall (September through November) - Late May
Winter (December through March) - Early September
Contact:
Kim Kinsler
651-757-1847, 800-657-3737
kim.kinsler@state.mn.us
