Contact: Michele Peters
651-296-0308
Michele.peters@state.mn.us

Explore Minnesota Tourism’s Season of Fun Giveaway starts today

ST. PAUL, MN (April 7, 2008) Beginning today, Explore Minnesota Tourism launches the “Seasons of Fun Giveaway,” a three-part sweepstakes during which Explore Minnesota Tourism and its partners will give away hybrid vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, golf equipment, tickets, gift cards and vacation getaways. The first segment of this sweepstakes - “Summer of Fun” will run through June 30, 2008.

Explore Minnesota Tourism is partnering with Luther Auto Group, Arctic Cat, Erik’s Bikes & Boards, Golf Galaxy and a variety of well-known tourism industry attractions and destinations to award prizes weekly. The “Summer of Fun” grand prize of a two-year lease on a 2008 Toyota Prius, courtesy of Luther Auto Group, will be awarded to one grand prize winner on July 2, 2008. To see a complete list of prizes, go to exploreminnesota.com/giveaway.asp.

“We’re very excited about this large sweepstakes,” says John Edman, director, Explore Minnesota Tourism. “Our partners have really come up with some amazing prizes! We’ve never done anything this big before.”

To enter, go to exploreminnesota.com/giveaway.asp, or stop by any participating Luther Auto Group or Golf Galaxy store. Compete rules can be found at exploreminnesota.com/giveaway.asp.

The entire Seasons of Fun promotion will include three segments: Summer, Fall and Winter. The fall promotion is scheduled for August and September with a grand prize of a Ford Escape Hybrid. The winter promotion will be held January-February 2009.

About Explore Minnesota Tourism

As the state’s tourism office, Explore Minnesota Tourism pursues an entrepreneurial approach, leveraging the state’s tourism investment with increased involvement by the private sector. A council of representatives from the state’s tourism industry strongly connects Explore Minnesota Tourism with tourism businesses and organizations.

Tourism is a $10.2 billion industry in Minnesota, a key sector of the state’s economy. The leisure and hospitality industry, a major provider of tourism services, employs more than 244,000 Minnesotans. More information can be found at www.exploreminnesota.com.

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