The Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau Tuesday presented the Bring It Home Award to Laurapalooza. I accepted the award on behalf of everyone who attended, organized, and helped with the three-day conference last summer.
Amy Lauters displays the award given to LauraPalooza by the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau.
When Anna Thill, the director of the GMCVB, called to tell me we had won this award, I was stunned. I didn’t even know we’d been nominated. But then Anna explained to me that the award goes to a community body that has gone above and beyond to bring visitors to Mankato. And we certainly did that.
You all came, followed us, or watched Sarah Sue’s amazing videos of the event. We had more than 180 people each day, with 152 pre-registered for the full event. We hosted Dean Butler, William Anderson, Pamela Smith Hill, John Miller, and many more scholars and researchers who shared with us their thoughts about the world and legacies of Laura and Rose.
So on behalf of the city of Mankato businesses, I thank you for your support. And this award goes to all of us.