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09/10/2008 4:24 PM ET
Minneapolis & Minnesota Twins make a pitch for the All-Star Game
A successful RNC positions Minneapolis to attract national events
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MINNEAPOLIS -- Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter, and
Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Tony Oliva, joined by representatives of the Minnesota Twins, the City of
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Meet Minneapolis and the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, today announced
plans to make a pitch to host Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in 2014.
"Last week Minneapolis was in the international spotlight as we hosted the Republican National
Convention, and more than 45,000 visitors to our city," said Mayor Rybak. "Today we are turning that
momentum into new opportunities to showcase our city to the world, and play host to among the nation's
top events."
"Working with Major League Baseball to secure an upcoming All Star Game is a top priority for the
Minnesota Twins organization," said Dave St. Peter, president of the Minnesota Twins. "The Twins have a
successful history of hosting the mid-summer classic and with our new, world-class ballpark opening in
2010, we know we can hit a homerun for this community and for Major League Baseball."
The All-Star game is the anchor of All-Star Week, a week of events and festivities that attract tens of
thousands of baseball fans from across the United States. Like the Republican National Convention, the
events also attract significant media attention. As many as 2,000 sports and travel journalists cover the
events and again bring the national spotlight to Minneapolis and all it has to offer business and leisure
travelers. An All-Star Game at the new stadium would be the first in Minneapolis since 1985.
"Last week was without a doubt a big 'win,' it was also a try out as the eyes of meeting planners, attendees, delegates and journalists experienced how we hosted a convention of such size and high-visibility," said
Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. "We showed repeatedly and consistently that
Minneapolis has the infrastructure of hotels, transportation options and entertainment outlets to make the
city an attractive site for major meetings and events. A successful pitch and win for the All-Star Game
could potentially mean more than $50 million in economic impact for the Minneapolis."
Minneapolis Saint Paul's successful hosting the RNC is among the most significant achievements in the
convention industry, and gives Minneapolis a major stepping stone to book other major events. Meet
Minneapolis officials are currently pursuing a number of major events and conventions, including the
NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, the National Education Association, the Rotary International, and the
Meeting Planners International. Combined those four events could bring nearly 100,000 visitors to
Minneapolis Saint Paul.
Each year, Meet Minneapolis hosts dozens of events at the Minneapolis Convention Center and area
hotels. These events are a major economic benefit to Minneapolis and the entire region. In 2009, a total of 89 conventions and meetings will bring $255.9 million in direct economic impact - spending by
attendees. Next year's highlights include the NCAA First and Second Round Men's Basketball, the
International Reading Association, the Lion's Club International, and the National Society of Hispanic
MBAs.
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