Visit Saint Paul Staff

Contacting the Visit Saint Paul is easy. You can either write to us or submit your questions or comments to the appropriate staff member listed below.

Visit Saint Paul
175 West Kellogg Boulevard, Suite 502
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651.265.4900 / 800.627.6101

General Mailbox

Management Team

  Karolyn Kirchgesler, President & CEO
651.265.4901
kkirchgesler@visitsaintpaul.com

Karolyn directs and leads Bureau towards its mission.  Works directly with Board on policy making and strategy for the organization.  Acts as the primary spokesperson for Visit Saint Paul.  Develops and maintains effective organizational policies and ensures all Visit Saint Paul activities are implemented within established policies, guidelines, laws and ethnical standards. What makes Saint Paul? I think the neighborhoods are what make Saint Paul unique. The coffee houses and specialty shops give the neighborhoods a unique and distinct flavor. We’re also fortunate to be a diverse community which accounts for the great ethnic restaurants that are sprinkled throughout the city.
   
  Eric Willems, Chief Financial Officer
651.265.4822
ewillems@visitsaintpaul.com

Eric serves as chief financial officer and directs financial affairs of Visit Saint Paul. He also directs financial management procedures, prepares financial statements and reports and manages accounting personnel. What makes Saint Paul? Its small town feel with a downtown that is accessible and easy to walk. Saint Paul's small town feel also comes from the fact that it has strong neighborhoods and strong citizen participation in community affairs. Saint Paul is truly a wonderful place to live, work and play.
   
Jane Lewis, Vice President of Convention Sales
651-265-4936
jlewis@visitsaintpaul.com

Jane sells Saint Paul to national and regional meeting planners to produce leads for Convention Sales Managers.  Jane is also in charge of planning and coordinating the Visit Saint Paul annual holiday party, “Taste of Saint Paul.”  What makes Saint Paul? I enjoy working and living in Saint Paul.  I like to walk to our neighborhood grocery store and shops. I also enjoy walking and biking along the beautiful Mississippi River.  Saint Paul is a walkable charming city!
   
  Adam Johnson, Vice President of Marketing
651.265.4904
ajohnson@visitsaintpaul.com

Adam is responsible for managing tourism activities, such as website development, marketing projects, events and promotions. Adam also assists with the annual marketing plan and looks for new advertising opportunities for Visit Saint Paul.  What makes Saint Paul? It's nickname, Saint Small, says it all. The person you see in line at the grocery store, could be the same person behind you a week later in a neighborhood restaurant and that could be the same person in a meeting of yours for work two weeks later. It's small and friendly and a great City.

   
  Tricia Mattes, Vice President of Membership
651.265.4909
tmattes@visitsaintpaul.com

Oversees the day-to-day activities and supervises the training and development of membership staff.  Directs and manages all programs relating to Authority membership.  Responsible for creating a partnership between the Authority and the commercial and private sectors of the community.  Plans, develops and implements Visit Saint Paul membership sales, services and retention programs. Sells advertising in publications and online, and creates member-to-member networking events. What makes Saint Paul? The friendliness and loyalty make Saint Paul what it is. The majority of people I have become friends with from Saint Paul will never leave.

   
Administration Team
Karolyn Kirchgesler, President & CEO
651.265.4901
kkirchgesler@visitsaintpaul.com

Karolyn directs and leads Bureau towards its mission.  Works directly with Board on policy making and strategy for the organization.  Acts as the primary spokesperson for Visit Saint Paul.  Develops and maintains effective organizational policies and ensures all Visit Saint Paul activities are implemented within established policies, guidelines, laws and ethnical standards. What makes Saint Paul? I think the neighborhoods are what make Saint Paul unique. The coffee houses and specialty shops give the neighborhoods a unique and distinct flavor. We’re also fortunate to be a diverse community which accounts for the great ethnic restaurants that are sprinkled throughout the city.
   
Eric Willems, Chief Financial Officer
651.265.4822
ewillems@visitsaintpaul.com

Eric serves as chief financial officer and directs financial affairs of Visit Saint Paul. He also directs financial management procedures, prepares financial statements and reports and manages accounting personnel. What makes Saint Paul? Its small town feel with a downtown that is accessible and easy to walk. Saint Paul's small town feel also comes from the fact that it has strong neighborhoods and strong citizen participation in community affairs. Saint Paul is truly a wonderful place to live, work and play.
   
 

Cindy Dupont, Accountant
651.265.4916
cdupont@visitsaintpaul.com

Cindy works with the Chief Financial Officer to manage the financial operations on a daily basis, supports the activities of the Finance Committee, performs month-end and year-end closing procedures, and conducts internal audit duties for Visit Saint Paul.  She works with staff across the organization as a member of the Administration Department and assists with general business operations. What does cindy like about Saint Paul? I was born and raised in Saint Paul and what I like best is the dog parks and walking paths, I used them everyday.  I also like the small town feel of the City.

   
Lorrie Larson, Executive Assistant and Board Administrator
651.265.4866
llarson@visitsaintpaul.com

Lorrie provides principal administrative support to the chief executive and/or other top management personnel. She serves as liaison with voluntary leadership and works fairly independently. Lorrie is also responsible for maintaining the schedule for the chief executive or others and performs clerical duties or other administrative tasks.
   
  Kim Todd, Receptionist
651.265.4900
ktodd@visitsaintpaul.com

Kim is theambassador for Visit Saint Paul. As receptionist, Kim takes calls and answers qusetions from visitors from across the country. Kim also supports all the departments of Visit Saint Paul as needed. What makes Saint Paul?Como Conservatory and the Gardens. Winter becomes much more bearable strolling through a warm atmosphere with beautiful flowers and fish.  She also enjoys Grand Avenue and all the interesting shops and restaurants as well as our revitalized riverfront in downtown St. Paul.
   
Sales Team
Jane Lewis, Vice President of Convention Sales
651-265-4936
jlewis@visitsaintpaul.com

Jane sells Saint Paul to national and regional meeting planners to produce leads for Convention Sales Managers.  Jane is also in charge of planning and coordinating the Visit Saint Paul annual holiday party, “Taste of Saint Paul.” What makes Saint Paul? I enjoy working and living in Saint Paul.  I like to walk to our neighborhood grocery store and shops. I also enjoy walking and biking along the beautiful Mississippi River.  Saint Paul is a walkable charming city!
   
  Stephanie Fahnhorst, Convention Sales Coordinator
651-265-4905
sfahnhorst@visitsaintpaul.com

Stephanie provides general administrative support to the sales and service staff and helps coordinate convention sales activities. What makes Saint Paul?its beautiful, historic buildings and its friendly demeanor. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, this charming city provides endless opportunities for fun and unforgettable memories!
 
   
Amanda Pasek, Convention Sales Manager
651.265.4908
apasek@visitsaintpaul.com

Amanda sells Saint Paul as a convention and tradeshow venue to various meeting planners throughout the nation.  She is responsible for booking conventions in Saint Paul from the scientific/engineering/technical/computer, agricultural/commodities, environmental, manufacturing/distribution, ethnic, militarily reunion/patriot and veterans clubs/heritage and entertainment markets. What makes Saint Paul? I like how safe, clean and walkable the city is.
   
Dawn Rough, Convention Sales Manager
651.265.4903
drough@visitsaintpaul.com

Dawn sells Saint Paul as a convention and tradeshow venue to various meeting planners throughout the nation.  Dawn handles the health & medical, religious, cultural, fine arts, libraries, fraternal, hobby and vocational markets.  What makes Saint Paul? The historic feel of Saint Paul combined with our great location on the Mississippi River is really what makes it such a beautiful city.

   
Eric Satre, Convention Sales Manager
651.265.4928
esatre@visitsaintpaul.com

Eric sells Saint Paul as a convention and tradeshow venue to various meeting planners throughout the US.  Eric handles the education, government and labor union markets. What makes Saint Paul? It is a beautiful city in the perfect river setting with much to see and do at a convenience that can’t be matched. All this with friendly Midwestern flavor!

   
  Margot D. Zweber, Convention Sales Manager
651.265.4910
mzweber@visitsaintpaul.com

Margot sells Saint Paul as a convention and tradeshow destination to various meeting planners throughout the nation. She is responsible for booking conventions in Saint Paul from the insurance, tourism/hospitality, corporate, financial and Xcel Energy sporting events/sports markets. What makes Saint Paul? It’s beautiful historic buildings, parks, and European flair.

   
Marketing Team
Adam Johnson, Vice President of Marketing
651.265.4904
ajohnson@visitsaintpaul.com

Adam is responsible for managing tourism activities, such as website development, marketing projects, events and promotions. Adam also assists with the annual marketing plan and looks for new advertising opportunities for Visit Saint Paul.   What makes Saint Paul? It's nickname, Saint Small, says it all. The person you see in line at the grocery store, could be the same person behind you a week later in a neighborhood restaurant and that could be the same person in a meeting of yours for work two weeks later. It's small and friendly and a great City.

   
  Michael Hernandez, Group Sales & Convention Services Manager
651.265.4906
mhernandez@visitsaintpaul.com

Michael's role with the Visit Saint Paul is to provide event planners with all they need to ensure a successful event in Saint Paul, as well as promoting Saint Paul as a destination to the group tour market. What makes Saint Paul? The preserved history and friendliness of its residents makes Saint Paul a great place to visit, work, and live.

   
Pat Laurel, Publications/Graphics Coordinator
651.265.4921
plaurel@visitsaintpaul.com

Pat manages the design, formatting, layout and production of CVA promotional materials.  He is also responsible for keeping the CVA photo gallery fresh and up-to-date. What makes Saint Paul? Saint Paul is a modern metropolitan city with a small, hometown feel.

   
Jaclyn Warne, Marketing Projects Manager
651.265.4907
jwarne@visitsaintpaul.com

Jaclyn provides general marketing support to the marketing department and helps coordinate and track marketing activities. What makes Saint Paul? The beautiful scenery of the bluffs and the Mississippi River. Also, the unique shopping on Grand Avenue, Macy's in downtown and the antique shops along West 7th Street.

   
Herb Weber, Delivery Coordinator - Part time
651.265.4900
info@visitsaintpaul.com

Herb is responsible for bulk shipping and delivering CVA brochures to all state travel information centers, convention and member requests. He also manages activities relating to CVA storage space and inventory tracking. What makes Saint Paul? Saint Paul is very proud of its history; it is reflected in the gangster tours, the Mississippi River boat rides and preservation efforts made throughout the city.

   
Membership Team
  Tricia Mattes, Vice President of Membership
651.265.4909
tmattes@visitsaintpaul.com

Oversees the day-to-day activities and supervises the training and development of membership staff.  Directs and manages all programs relating to Authority membership.  Responsible for creating a partnership between the Authority and the commercial and private sectors of the community.  Plans, develops and implements Visit Saint Paul membership sales, services and retention programs. Sells advertising in publications and online, and creates member-to-member networking events. What makes Saint Paul? The friendliness and loyalty make Saint Paul what it is. The majority of people I have become friends with from Saint Paul will never leave.

   
  Merry Beckmann Butikis, Membership & Convention Services Manager
651.265.4857
mbutikis@visitsaintpaul.com

Merry’s time is split between two departments, membership and convention services.  Her membership duties include working closely with Visit Saint Paul members by providing them with potential business opportunities and membership updates.  Merry also organizes our customer STAR service program and assists with convention services.  What makes Saint Paul? The small town feel of a large city. I grew up in a small community in southern Minnesota and Saint Paul and its residents give me the same comfortable feeling I had back then. The people are friendly and genuinely interested in your well being. I also love the way Saint Paul manages and maintains the historical community within the context of the 21st century.

   
Michael Hernandez, Group Sales & Convention Services Manager
651.265.4906
mhernandez@visitsaintpaul.com

Michael's role with the Visit Saint Paul is to provide event planners with all they need to ensure a successful event in Saint Paul, as well as promoting Saint Paul as a destination to the group tour market. What makes Saint Paul? The preserved history and friendliness of its residents makes Saint Paul a great place to visit, work, and live.