ECVB Unveils New Incentives, Promotions at Annual Meeting

The annual meeting this past Wednesday evening was chock-full of entertainment and visiting, including a popular motivational speaker, Eagan High School cheerleaders, dinner and a presentation boasting their newest endeavors.

ECVB Executive Director Brent Cory said the annual meeting is a great time to celebrate with stakeholders and educate people on the different [projects/promotions] we're working on.

Walter Bond, a former NBA athlete, was the key motivational speaker at the event. Cory had heard great things about Bond's speaking and was fortunate to book him to for a half hour. Bond made many powerful points, including defining confidence as "arrogance under control." He also tied being successful with the "power of likability."

Cory said he really enjoyed Bond's message.

The ECVB has been busy this past year brainstorming ways to bring even more tourism to Eagan; this year's goal is to make Eagan the top sports destination. Eagan has the ideal location for it. For those visitors interested in heading to Target Field or catching a Vikings game, a quick shuttle to the Mall of America and then a light rail ride to downtown Minneapolis is affordable and easy to manage. 

In addition, there's plenty of places to hold several different kinds of sporting events in the city, with unique locations such as the , High Performance Academy - the Twin Cities newest multi-sport and event center - and the (to name a few.)

"We have great facilities in Eagan," Cory said. "It's a very lucrative endeavor for Eagan; there is unlimited potential and so many things to go after."

Also, since last year's Pick Your Package promotion was such a success, the ECVB decided to bring it back again - but this time with a twist.

Twins ticket holders who reserve a room at a local Eagan hotel can get a free one-night's stay if the game is rained-out. The person(s) must present their ticket stub to get their one night stay, and they can use it whenever they'd like within the next year.

"It's a good residual to get them back in Eagan," Cory said. "It also creates awareness and is a great branding piece."

The ECVB will be advertising on Fox Sports North (the cable channel of the Twins) and the Twins radio station.

"It's an extension of an already successful program," Cory said.

He is referring to the original Pick Your Package promotion (which still exists), offering two free unlimited wristbands to Mall of America's Nickelodeon Universe for those who purchase a room at an Eagan hotel.

In 2010, about 500 room stays were booked with the Pick Your Package promotion. Individuals must book on the ECVB's website or call their office at 651-675-5546.

Cory is elated about the success of the program and is excited to make Eagan this year's sports destination.