Growing Destinations

Today we delve into the transformative changes taking place in transportation, particularly in the rising popularity of biking that's becoming more accessible to a diverse range of individuals. Joining Growing Destinations today is Erik Noonan, from We Bike Rochester, a chapter affiliated with the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. We Bike Rochester is at the forefront of advocating for pedestria...

There's no denying that Taylor Swift's Eras tour has provided a substantial economic boost to cities where she has performed. According to research conducted by Question Pro, the tour is estimated to have generated nearly $5 billion in consumer spending in the United States alone. This past summer, Taylor Swift brought her Eras tour to Minneapolis, delivering two sold-out performances at...

Ever wonder how a simple passion for coffee can brew into a successful entrepreneurial journey? Join us for a lively discussion with Will Forsman, co-owner of three Cafe Steam shops and a coffee roasting business in Rochester, Minnesota. From starting as a dishwasher to being honored with the Rochester Mayor's Medal of Honor, Will's story is a rich blend of dedication, community connecti...

This podcast episode is a celebration of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and rural economic development, offering valuable insights into the agricultural sector. The dialogue provides a unique perspective on the sustainable food production process and highlights the potential for growth and development in rural economies. Podcast guests include Brett Olson, co-founder of Renewing the Countryside...

Two leaders in Minnesota's tourism scene are optimistic about the future of travel. Bonnie Carlson is President and CEO of the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau and Amie Burrill is Executive Director of Experience Burnsville. As destination marketers and collaborators, Amie and Bonnie are passionate about the work they do in promoting their cities and the state of Minnesota to potent...

Italy is renowned worldwide for its rich culture, historical sites, and mouthwatering cuisine. But beyond the well-known cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, there exists a less explored but equally enchanting side of Italy. This is the focus of our current Growing Destinations podcast episode, where we delve into the lesser-known cultural regions of Italy with Anna Bonavita and Tom Gabriel, co...

We explore Valleyfair Amusement Park's transformation and growth that has spanned nearly fifty years. Long time employees Tip Harrison and Tom Suel offer unique insights into the behind-the-scenes hustle during the early years, the change in ownership, and the relentless ambition to keep adding new attractions including the game-changer Wild Thing roller coaster that continues to be a crowd f...

Chuck Sibley is a relentless photojournalist whose illustrious 50-year career at KTTC-TV in Rochester, Minnesota, has seen him covering everything from the Super Bowl and World Series to poignant local sports, human interest and unforgettable weather stories. He's more than just a photographer; he's a storyteller, capturing the human spirit in every frame. KTTC-TV Experience Rochester, M...

Pickleball is a sport that's easy to learn, fun to play and offers both physical and social benefits. On this episode of Growing Destinations, pickleball enthusiasts, Suzanne Bretto, President of the Rochester Area Pickleball Association, Vino Raj, Co-founder of To Pickleball And Beyond and Blake Held, Co-host of the Inside Out Pickleball podcast detail their pickleball journey and how they a...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jill Renslow, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer for Mall of America. She offers an insider's perspective on the evolution, current state, and future plans of this iconic destination. We also explore its significant role in boosting tourism in Minnesota, the changing dynamics of retail and some delightful moments, like the surprise v...

Welcome to the latest episode of the Growing Destinations Podcast. Our guests, Jeff Steinborn and Denny Graham, from the Historic Henderson Auto Society give us a fascinating look into how their Classic Car Roll-in event went from a small gathering of 20 automobile aficionados to a weekly spectacle that attracts 275 cars in Henderson, Minnesota. Through their stories, we learn about the incredible...

For 45 years, Larry Moon Thompson has been a fixture as an on-air personality on radio stations throughout the country, including cities like Denver, Las Vegas, Houston and Minneapolis. Moon and his radio partner Staci Matthews were ratings gold for their entire run together on KS95 in Minneapolis. Now in retirement, Moon, a Marconi award winner and Minnesota Broadcast Hall of Famer, reflects on h...

We pull back the curtain on the dynamic world of commercial real estate in Southeast Minnesota with our guests, Nick Pompeian and Bucky Beeman. These Rochester natives share their journey from their early days, growing up in entrepreneurial families to forging a successful partnership in Realty Growth Inc., a business founded by Nick's father. You'll hear first-hand accounts of their inn...

Rochester, Minnesota award-winning author Teresa Wilhelm Waldof brings to life the incredible story of her grandfather, Harley Wilhelm, the brilliant yet humble Iowa chemist who played a pivotal role in the Manhattan Project. Packed with personal anecdotes, Harley's story is as much about scientific breakthroughs, as it is about the power of the human spirit. Teresa also shares the fascinatin...

Minnesota is home to more than 200 craft breweries. While the craft beer industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's starting to rebound. Bob Galligan is Director of Government and Industry Relations for the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, which supports and promotes craft beer all across Minnesota. Bob credits the survival of the industry to its resiliency and spirit of collaboration...

How are the downtowns of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester adapting to the post-pandemic landscape? Join us as we engage in an insightful conversation with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Rochester Mayor Kim Norton, who share their visions for revitalizing their cities and addressing challenges in public safety, business development, and reimagining older buildin...

Avital Rabinowitz is in her second year as Director of Rochester Civic Music, a department of the City of Rochester, Minnesota. Its mission is to bring people together by creating fun and memorable live music experiences. Rochester Civic Music produces a variety of programming throughout the community including the ever popular Down by the Riverside free public concert series, now in its 31st seas...

Barry Zelickson is a leader in the attractions industry. His past accomplishments include the creation of a Halloween Theme Park and Family Entertainment Centers in Minnesota. Now, he has focused his attention on a new venture - Fun Across America, a YouTube channel highlighting entertainment centers around the country. It's a passion project for Barry to share stories and unique experiences,...

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota is the only facility in the country that has been designated by Congress as a National Eagle Center. Meg Gammage-Tucker, the National Eagle Center's CEO, says the center's recent renovation and expansion provides greater opportunity for storytelling and community outreach about the bald eagle, which is an incredible conservation success sto...

In Rochester, Minnesota, Nick Novotny is a force in the music scene. He grew up playing different instruments and was influenced by live music and festivals. Today, he's the drummer in the Clay Fulton and the Lost Forty band, he's a partner in a music promotion business called My Town My Music, and he's the founder of the Rochester Thaw Music Festival, a community building event, br...

LeeAnn Zubay is a lifelong foodie. Since 1978, she and her husband helped shape the restaurant scene in Rochester, Minnesota. She's taken her passion for food beyond restaurants, including a new venture called Food Union, an online gift box subscription service, which has evolved into a physical storefront in the heart of downtown Rochester. LeeAnn shares more about her excitement for new res...

Lauren Bennett McGinty is one of Minnesota's biggest cheerleaders. It's no surprise, since she heads up Explore Minnesota, the state's official tourism booster. Tourism is big business for Minnesota, with direct impact of more than $13 billion, and leisure and hospitality is the 4th largest industry for employment in the state. With increased competition, Lauren says it's time...

Sammi Loo grew up in the restaurant business in Malaysia. When she moved to Rochester, Minnesota in 2004, it didn't take long to turn her passion for food into business opportunities. She currently owns and operates a sushi restaurant and a European cafe in Rochester. Sammi says navigating the regulatory process can be challenging, but it's not a deterrent. She's planning to open tw...

When he was 15 years old, Seamus Kolb got his first part-time job at Carroll's Corn, a popular gourmet popcorn shop in downtown Rochester, MN. Sixteen years later, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he purchased the shop, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary. Seamus shares more about the growth of Carroll's Corn, the changing dynamic of his customer base and why he's...

In Rochester, Minnesota, the intersection of beer and music can be found at Thesis Beer Project. Adam Fredericksen and his wife opened the microbrewery in 2019. While 2022 proved to be a good year for Thesis, the pandemic was a big challenge for Rochester's newest taproom, but they learned a lot and pivoted to a new business model. From the beginning, Adam set out for Thesis to be a preferred...