Bonnie L. Carlson

For the past 38 years, Bonnie has held the position of President and CEO of the Bloomington, Minnesota Convention and Visitors Bureau. Carlson’s career in the travel in the industry spans more than 46 years and she is a leading pioneer at the city, state, and national level. Bonnie has been a constant force in destination marketing through her leadership, dedication, and innovation. Bonnie is frequently recognized for her long-time commitment as a leader in crafting and supporting policies and initiatives for the State of Minnesota's travel industry. Visitors are important to the City of Bloomington, with hospitality being the number one industry, employing over 24,000 people in hotels, restaurants, attractions, and renowned Mall of America. Bonnie is very active nationally in the travel industry and is currently serving as the Immediate Past Chair of the international board of directors for Meeting Professionals International. She also serves on the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors and is a past chair of International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (IACVB), currently Destinations International, being elected the second female Chair of the Board for IACVB in 2001/2002. She has also served on several industry foundation boards including Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), Meeting Professionals International, and U.S. Travel Association. She also remains active locally and is a past member of the Minnesota Lodging Association Board of Directors and served on the Explore MN Tourism Council for 11 years after being appointed by the Governor of Minnesota in 2004. She was also a member of the United States National Tourism Organization Board, which was created from the White House Conference on Tourism. She is currently the co-chair of the board of the newly formed Minnesota Sports and Events organization. During her career she has been the recipient of many industry awards. Bonnie was named one of 25 Women in Business Industry Leaders by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, and the Woman of the Year Award from Sales and Marketing Executive Career Achievement Award. She also received the Excellence of Tourism award from Explore Minnesota Tourism and was presented with the Spirit of Hospitality Award at the Bloomington Diamond Services Awards. Her legacy includes being inducted into the Minnesota Meetings + Events Hall of Fame and honored with their Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hall of Fame for the Minnesota Lodging Association, and she received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Upper Midwest Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Personally, Bonnie enjoys family time, grandchildren, golf, walking, reading, and cooking.