Thursday, April 23, 2009
Riverland Community College
Austin West Building, Room A237
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Presented by: Dave Vogel

Join Dave Vogel, Explore Minnesota Regional Manager, on a journey through Minnesota’s most visited destinations. Learn about the economic impact tourism has on Minnesota
business and what it means to the out-state population. You will get the latest news in travel trends and the make-up of Minnesota tourism. Don’t plan your summer vacation until you’ve heard what Mr. Vogel has to say!

About the Speaker
Dave Vogel currently serves as the Southern Regional Manager for Explore Minnesota
Tourism. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Fairmont, MN Convention and Visitors Bureau. In his current position with Explore Minnesota Tourism he interacts with tourism organizations and communities to help them develop their goals and objectives relating to marketing Minnesota to potential tourists and helps them access various Explore Minnesota Tourism programs. He assists with numerous state-wide events such as the
Governor’s Fishing Opener and the annual Governor’s Tourism Conference. He is the
appointed Explore Minnesota Tourism representative to the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission and is the new Explore Minnesota blog editor.

Programming in collaboration with KSMQ

April 2009 - "ALMANAC: HANDS ON HISTORY:EXPLORING RED WING/STILLWATER"
Monday, April 6, 9 p.m.; Sunday, April 19, 12 noon
Red Wing-Take a walking tour and discover the stories behind Red Wing pottery...ski jumping... Barn Bluff... and the nearby Prairie Island Reservation as we explore this historic Mississippi river town.

Stillwater-A walking tour down Stillwater's historic main street includes glimpses of lumbering history, the old Territorial Prison and the brewery caves.  Plus learn about the story of Bud Fowler, America's first pro black to play pro baseball.

Thursday, May 21, 2009
Riverland Community College
Austin West Building, Room A237
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Presented by: Rick Bross

Globalization (v.) - to make global or worldwide in scope or application.
Globalization has become a buzzword in business and in the news. But what does it mean to Austin, Minnesota? As a leader in worldwide distribution of food products, Hormel Foods International serves the consumer and food industry with more than 20 leading brands of quality food products. Rick Bross, President of Hormel Foods
International Corporation, will lead a discussion on the impact of the global economy on our local livelihood. He will outline why China is so important to our economic
future and what it means for American business.

About the speaker:
Rick Bross is a group vice president at Hormel Foods and is president of the Hormel Foods International Corporation. Mr. Bross and his team formulate and manage the overall strategic direction for the Hormel Foods International Corporation, continually looking at new opportunities for sustained growth. It is the members of this team who ensure year-after-year growth within key international business segments.