Visit Saint Paul Names Terry Mattson to President & CEO Role

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2014

Contact:
Adam Johnson, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
P: 651-265-4904 | C: 651.226.5403 | ajohnson@visitsaintpaul.com

Lisa Huber, Marketing & Media Relations Manager
P: 651-265-4907 | C: 612.396.3864 | lhuber@visitsaintpaul.com

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Visit Saint Paul announced today that former Visit Duluth CVB President, Terry Mattson, has been hired as President & CEO of Visit Saint Paul and the RiverCentre Authority effective February 17, 2014.

“We received a tremendous amount of interest in this position from across the country,” said Pat Harris, Chair of the Search Committee. “In the end, Terry’s experience in the CVB world and his connections in the industry throughout the state made him the most desirable candidate.”

Mattson resigned his post at Visit Duluth in December of 2013 in search of a new challenge after 28 years with the organization in different capacities.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think my next challenge would come so quickly and in such a great city as Saint Paul,” said Mattson. “I’m incredibly excited and ready to get started at Visit Saint Paul.”

While in Duluth, Mattson led a staff 12 and oversaw a budget of nearly $3 million. He had significant success creating demand for the destination by creating, planning and executing events including Tall Ships Duluth which drew 200,000 people in 2013.

During Mattson’s tenure, tourism related tax revenues increased 6% year over year for 20 years. In 2012, Terry was named “Outstanding Individual in Tourism” by Explore Minnesota – the $12 billion industry’s top state honor.

“I am excited to welcome Terry Mattson as he takes the helm at Visit Saint Paul,” said Mayor Chris Coleman. “I look forward to working with him as we promote Saint Paul as a premier destination for meetings, major events and the traditional weekend getaway.”

“This is an exciting time in Saint Paul, as the light rail, the new ballpark and the Ordway’s new concert hall all come on line, “ said Patricia A. Mitchell, Board Chair of Visit Saint Paul. “Terry is a great leader for us as we move forward, ensuring that Saint Paul’s meetings and tourism efforts will take full advantage of these new possibilities.”

Mattson replaces Karolyn Kirchgesler who resigned in July to take the President & CEO position at Team San Jose in California.

Mattson comes to Saint Paul with his wife Renee who recently resigned as Executive Director of Spirit Mountain Recreational Area in Duluth.

About Visit Saint Paul:

Visit Saint Paul, formerly the Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority, was founded in 1927 as the Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau, making it one of the oldest destination marketing organizations in the United States. The mission of the organization is to generate economic growth for Saint Paul by effectively marketing the RiverCentre campus, Saint Paul and the region as a preferred convention and tourism destination. Visit Saint Paul oversees management of the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention Center, the Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, and the Pedestrian Connection which connects the Convention Center and Xcel Energy Center to the downtown skyway system.