Local Flavor LLC presentation to Minnesota Heartland Tourism Aug 9, 2012, Thumper Pond Resort, Ottertail, MN Presentation includes overview of Local Flavor LLC staff, consultants, services. Local Flavor celebrates and strengthens LOCAL food, art, culture, heritage and travel.

1. Minnesota Heartland
Tourism Association
Deborah McLaren
Principal and Founder
Local Flavor, LLC
August 9, 2012
Thumper Pond Resort, Otter Tail, MN

2. Who We Are
The Regional
Flavor Model
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3. What We Do
reate linkages between urban travel service providers like MSP Tours and unique local food, art, culture,
heritage and tourism entrepreneurs.
upport the Maiden Rock Area Community Association and its partners assess and prioritize developmental
issues in strengthening a localized ecotourism product.
rovide Value-Added news content for Minnesota Association of Small Cities (MAOSC) and Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) networks in Minnesota.
xplore cross-industry regional branding and tourism product development with the Minnesota Grape Growers
Association.
lan the 2013-2014 Ethnic Cultural Destinations Conference featuring Little Mekong, Selby Avenue Jazz and
Heritage District, Little Africa, District del Sol, Native American Cultural Corridor and artists along the Central
Corridor (light rail) in Saint Paul.
rganize skill-building workshops for development and tourism professionals utilizing
Network Weaver Principles, Local Flavor Strategies, and innovative social media tools, as well as the
Agritourism and Festival and Event resources of the University of Minnesota’s Tourism Information Center.
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4. What We Have Done
acilitated tourism based-marketing and usage discussions for Visit Bemidji and Wadena.
acilitated preservation and usage discussions and work plans for historical buildings and train depots in West
Central Minnesota.
onducted a Value-Added Agritourism workshop in Wadena and surrounding area.
aught festival and events management classes in West Central Minnesota.
erved on the Boards of the Central Region Sustainable Development Partnership and Minnesota Main Street.
oordinated application of Regional Flavor model with the White Earth Tribal and Community College and
White Earth Development Office including model workshop and trainings at MapleLag Resort; and developed
the Journeys with First Nations trail and tourism product at White Earth.
resented Regional Flavor model at the Rural Arts and Culture Summit, Fergus Falls.
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5. Network Weaver
Training with June Holly
hose involved in economic and community development need different skills sets to identify issues and goals,
facilitate collective resolutions or strategies and develop networks that will help realize the goals.
Practitioners require excellent communication and group facilitation skills. The most successful also have the
ability to form healthy, effective networks. Where can you start to make positive change in your work, life and
where you live? If you think networking can be more strategic, productive and effective - this interactive
workshop is for you. The Network Weaver Handbook is available at www.NetworkWeaver.com.
• Identify, assess and map new and existing informal or formal networks;
• learn the benefits of a network approach;
• increase trust and effectiveness in networks;
• support innovation in networks;
• convene people together with similar interests to develop collaborative projects;
• develop effective network strategies; and,
• learn about numerous successful examples from rural America.
ugust 28th at the Silverwood Park in St. Anthony, MN. 50% discount for Heartland Tourism members and
associates. http://localflavornetworkweaver.eventbrite.com
Local Flavor, LLC September 13, 2012 5

6. Benefits of Listing with Local Flavor
rive local and regional food, travel and cultural markets to your website
articipate in real time urban-rural forums concerning niche heritage, art, food, travel and cultural businesses
rofit from academic and grassroots efforts underway in Minnesota to buy local
apitalize on societal interest in slow food, place –based and localized leisure experiences
enefit from diverse, innovative marketing strategies within a growing “local” community across the state and
the Upper Midwest
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7. How to Join the Local Flavor Discussion
oin! Membership Levels
nnual Basic Membership: $50 includes becoming part of a growing “local” community, part of a
quality Local Flavor brand, web listing, promotions, discounts to trainings and events, marketing tips
and a quarterly newsletter
nnual Marketing Membership: $75 includes all of the above plus access to specialty marketing tools on
the Local Flavor website
ree – host your own interactive group discussions about your region, specialty products or services on
the Local Flavor website, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
ww.GetLocalFlavor.com
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8. Project Ideas & Specialties for Your Community
ative and Rural Communities Tourism
rail Asset Mapping and Development
ocal Tourism Product Diversification
ocused Skills-Building, Training and Certification Program Development
deas and models of successful self-organized events that promote community sufficiency, local food
and arts, health and sustainable economies
icro-branding food, art, and heritage
Questions?
acilitation
Local Flavor, LLC September 13, 2012 8
iscounted Membership Listings

9. Thank You!
Deborah McLaren
Principal and Founder
Local Flavor, LLC
1873 Iglehart Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
Email: Deborah@mm.com Website: www.getlocalflavor.com
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