Lakeville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce
19950 Dodd Boulevard
Suite 101
Lakeville, MN 55044

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For more information call:
Lakeville Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Weddings of Lakeville and
Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce
Jeanne Marie Britton
Marketing Manager
952-469-2020

RE: Weddings of Lakeville awarded "Marketing Award of Merit" from Explore Minnesota Tourism on January 26, 2005 at the state's annual tourism confence.

The Lakeville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased announce its acceptance of a Minnesota state tourism marketing award for Weddings of Lakeville.

Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state's office of tourism, has awarded Lakeville Convention & Visitors Bureau with a 2004 Marketing Award of Merit for their innovative and unique co-operative marketing organization Weddings of Lakeville. This organization currently consists of 25 Lakeville Area Chamber member businesses that work with weddings and special events. Weddings of Lakeville's inception was October 2002 and its mission is to be a first stop/one stop shopping approach for brides and grooms. "Planning a traditional wedding is mostly a first time venture for brides and grooms, and it is helpful to have as much information as possible to make educated decisions", says Jeanne Britton. "This organization provides a wedding kit full of information, and provides names and phone numbers/websites for planners to use for additional needed information."

Weddings of Lakeville advertises, markets and participates in bridal shows together forming a co-operative partnership sharing expenses and wedding leads. It is a thriving network of businesses providing free information to wedding planners.

The Lakeville Convention & Visitors Bureau was founded in April 1996 as an arm of the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce. It is funded by a local lodging tax as a not-for-profit organization. Lakeville has five hotels and motels within its borders.