This year, the Tourism Center is doing its annual Research Showcase in a brand-new format. We are presenting our collection of applied research projects as pre-recorded video presentations for your viewing. The eight projects are grouped into three themes:
- Economic impact of tourism
- Community tourism development
- Outdoor recreation
We encourage you to reach out directly to the presenters with questions and feedback — their name and contact information are available at the end of each video and on this webpage.
We will present some of these projects in an expanded format at conferences and educational events. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at these in-person gatherings.
Video presentations
View all presentations in a playlist.
Economic impact of tourism
Economic contribution of 2024 Grandma's Marathon weekend
Presenter: Brigid Tuck, University of Minnesota Extension, applied research specialist
Email: [email protected]
Economic contribution of riverboats in Red Wing, Minnesota
Presenter: Brigid Tuck, University of Minnesota Extension, applied research specialist
Email: [email protected]
Community tourism development
Agritourism community connections: Key mobile data findings from a farmer perspectives project
Presenter: DeeDee LeMier, University of Minnesota Extension, educator, community economics
Email: [email protected]
Applied research in a community coaching project
Presenter: Xinyi Qian, University of Minnesota Tourism Center, director; Extension state specialist
Email: [email protected]
What is generative AI? And why it matters for small-town businesses
Presenter: Prayash Chalise, University of Minnesota Department of Applied Economics, graduate research assistant
Email: [email protected]
Outdoor recreation
Access for all? Water recreation and black communities in Minnesota
Presenter: Ami Choi, University of Minnesota Extension Tourism Center, statewide specialist
Email: [email protected]
Curriculum for building entrepreneur-friendly outdoor recreation communities
Presenter: Ami Choi, Ph.D., University of Minnesota Extension Tourism Center, statewide specialist
Email: [email protected]
Outdoor recreation dashboard
Presenter: Prayash Chalise, University of Minnesota Department of Applied Economics, graduate research assistant
Email: [email protected]
Reviewed in 2025