Minnesota Agencies

The mission of Explore Minnesota is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the state of Minnesota. Its goals are to: expand public and private partnerships through increased interagency efforts and increased tourism industry participation; increase productivity through enhanced flexibility and options; and use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's resources and operate the office as efficiently as possible.

The director shall report to the legislature on the performance of the office's operations and the accomplishment of its goals in the office's biennial budget according to section 16A.10, subdivision 1.

In 2004, the Legislature abolished the Office of Tourism and established Explore Minnesota Tourism as an office in the executive branch with a director appointed by the governor (see Laws of Minnesota 2004, chapter 171, section 5). The director is under the supervision of the commissioner of DEED. 

In 2023, the Legislature changed the name of the office from "Explore Minnesota Tourism" to "Explore Minnesota." Two new divisions were also created that year in the office: Explore Minnesota Tourism and Explore Minnesota for Business.

Explore Minnesota is an office in the executive branch with a director appointed by the governor. The director is under the supervision of the commissioner of employment and economic development and oversees the Explore Minnesota Tourism and Explore Minnesota for Business divisions. The director serves in the unclassified service and must be qualified by experience and training in travel and tourism.

As of November 1, 2021, Lauren Bennett McGinty is the director. Former director, John Edman, retired on June 3, 2021 after 21 years in the position.