Courtney Ries oversees the marketing, communications, partnership, and visitor center departments at Meet Minneapolis, the city’s tourism board. Her role and focus changed dramatically a year ago when the tourism and hospitality industry shut down. Ries helped lead the creation of robust website sections on Covid-19 information and developed new visual guides for online viewing.

In the last year, Ries has also focused on a new audience: the local community. A new campaign included billboards, radio ads, and website content featuring ways for residents to support small and Black-owned businesses.