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RESOLUTION NO. 9322 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO STEVE MARKUSON FOR HIS SERVICE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TWIN CITIES GATEWAY WHEREAS, Twin Cities Gateway is the regional visitor's bureau representing the communities of Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton and Shoreview, Minnesota. WHEREAS, Steve Markuson was appointed Executive Director of Twin Cities Gateway in May 2010 after its formation earlier that year; and WHEREAS, Steve previously served as Explore Minnesota's Executive Director from 1995-2000, where he led a grassroots tourism industry campaign that resulted in the first state budget increase in more than 12 years and won him two Odyssey awards from the Travel Industry Association of America; and WHEREAS, as Executive Director of Twin Cities Gateway, Steve has been responsible for strategic marketing, partnership development, public and media relations, and organizational management with the objective of increasing area visitation to stimulate tourism and community -related economic development; and WHEREAS, through Steve's efforts, the fund balance reserve that has increased Twin Cities Gateway's economic viability over other convention bureaus, especially during the recent pandemic, and positioned it to provide effective promotional efforts for all nine communities; and WHEREAS, during Steve's tenure, lodging tax receipts have nearly doubled while the room supply remains constant, thereby earning him the outstanding Individual in Minnesota Tourism award in 2017 and the coveted Roger Toussaint Award from the Minnesota Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus in 2018; and WHEREAS, Steve is known for mentoring promising travel business associates as well as assisting Convention and Visitor Bureau leaders with launching new travel organizations within the industry; and WHEREAS, Steve is a Minnesota travel business icon and has played a major role in marketing the City of Mounds View by taking a start-up convention and visitor bureau and making it the gold standard others try to emulate in the State today; and WHEREAS, Steve has performed his duties at Twin Cities Gateway with great dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm, thus gaining the respect of his fellow colleagues and associates; and WHEREAS, after 10 years of dedicated service and extraordinary achievements, Steve Markuson will retire from TCG on December 31, 2020; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Mounds View, on behalf of the City of Mounds View and surrounding communities, expresses its heartfelt appreciation to Steve Markuson for his dedication and devoted service to Twin Cities Gateway. Adopted this 26' day of October, 2020. Mayor Carol A. Mueller Councilmember Sherry Gunn Councilmember Bill Bergeron ATTEST: Councilmember Al Hull Councilmember Gary Meehlhause Nyle Zikmund, City Administrator (SEAL)