The Gateways & Tourism Committee is the body that positions Expo 2031 Minnesota, USA as a global visitor destination—integrating national travel pathways, statewide tourism ecosystems, local hospitality partners, international delegations, and visitor experience design.

 

As a key committee within the Global Horticulture Council, it convenes leaders from tourism authorities, gateway cities, airports, hospitality groups, chambers/CVBs, cultural institutions, transportation partners, and global travel operators.

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This committee ensures that the world arrives through coordinated, world-class visitor pathways—and that Minnesota’s cities, attractions, and regional economies benefit from the historic volume of tourism generated by the first A1 International Horticultural Exhibition in U.S. history.

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Committee Expertise

The Gateways & Tourism Committee brings together experts across tourism strategy, visitor experience, international travel, hospitality, and regional placemaking:

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Global Travel, Gateway Cities & International Access

• Integration with major U.S. gateway cities (e.g., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington D.C.)

• Strategic alignment with MSP Airport and Minnesota’s air service network

• Visa, travel facilitation, and international guest services

• Cruise, rail, and air travel partnerships for global audience access

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Minnesota Tourism, Statewide Attractions & Regional Identity

• Coordination with Explore Minnesota Tourism and local CVBs

• Destination branding for Minnesota as the “North Star State”

• Statewide attractions (MOA, Arboretum, Zoo, North Shore, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and more)

• Cultural, outdoor, and seasonal tourism packaging

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Visitor Experience, Hospitality & On-the-Ground Services

• Hotels, hospitality groups, and short-term rental alignment

• Transportation partners: rideshare, shuttles, motorcoaches, rail

• Multilingual visitor services and concierge programs

• VIP, diplomatic, and international delegation management

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Tourism Marketing, Travel Trade & Global Promotion

• Tour operators, travel agents, and global distribution partners

• Social, digital, and influencer-driven tourism marketing

• International travel missions and global roadshows

• Media partnerships for tourism storytelling

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Cultural Destinations, Museums & Entertainment Ecosystems

• Integration with cultural institutions across Minnesota

• Festival programming and companion events

• Arts, entertainment, and performance alignments

• Co-created visitor itineraries with pavilions and partners

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Ticketing, Visitor Flow & Transportation Planning

• Super Ticket packages and multi-attraction bundles

• Visitor transportation systems linking attractions to the Expo site

• Crowd-flow modeling and peak-day forecasting

• Accessible tourism and all-ability visitor design

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Economic Development, City Partner Engagement & Legacy Tourism

• Long-term tourism benefits for Minnesota’s communities

• City-level partnerships for “Gateway City” activation

• Tourism district planning for the Future Living District

• Workforce development in hospitality and travel sectors

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Programming Focus

The Gateways & Tourism Committee curates major visitor-facing programs, experiences, and tourism pathways:

 

U.S. & Global Gateway City Partnerships

• Customized partnerships with major U.S. cities to serve as official gateways to Expo 2031

• Co-branded travel campaigns (e.g., “Fly Through Chicago to Expo 2031”)

• City-level “Expo Welcome Zones” at airports and transportation hubs

• Diplomatic and international visitor reception coordination

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Minnesota “Statewide Welcome” Tourism Campaign

• Multi-city marketing across Bloomington, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, and regional partners

• Seasonal travel themes (spring blossoms, summer lakes, fall colors)

• Minnesota landmarks integrated into itineraries

• Local business engagement and hospitality training programs

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Visitor Experience & Expo Flow Programming

• Multi-modal transport—from MSP to Expo to cities statewide

• Multilingual signage, maps, and international guest support

• Concierge, volunteer, and hospitality ambassador programming

• Accessibility, inclusive tourism, and all-abilities design

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Super Ticket & Travel Packages

• Expo + Arboretum + Minnesota Zoo + Como Conservatory

• Expo + MSP + Mall of America + Bloomington hotels

• Regional travel circuits: North Shore, Boundary Waters, Rochester wellness routes

• Travel trade bundles for international tour operators

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Cultural & Festival Programming Connected to Tourism

• City co-hosted festivals that complement the Expo seasonal calendar

• Pavilions paired with Minnesota cultural institutions for cross-programming

• Nighttime economy integration: entertainment, dining, shopping, shows

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International Pavilion Visitor Experience Alignment

• Global cultural itineraries that extend beyond the Expo site

• Inbound VIP delegation tourism programming

• Country-specific welcome activations in Minnesota cities

• Cross-cultural culinary and arts programming

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Legacy Tourism Strategy for the Future Living District

• Long-term visitor attractions and permanent amenities

• Integration of smart-city experiences into tourism offerings

• The USA Pavilion as a permanent tourism anchor

• Ongoing yearly festivals, horticulture events, and global programs

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Role in Expo 2031 Governance

The Gateways & Tourism Committee ensures that Expo 2031 drives unprecedented tourism impact—before, during, and long after the six-month event. Committee members help shape:

• Global travel pathways into the U.S. and Minnesota

• Statewide tourism campaigns and gateway city partnerships

• The visitor journey across the Expo and its climate zones

• Hospitality, transportation, ticketing, and visitor readiness

• Long-term tourism anchors within the Future Living District

 

Their work strengthens Minnesota’s position as a global destination—inviting the world to experience the next great American World’s Fair and the extraordinary cultural and natural beauty of the North Star State.