Growing Destinations

For nearly a decade, John McGivern traveled up and down the state of Wisconsin for a travel program on public television. In 2022, he debuted a brand new travel show on commercial TV. It's called "John McGivern's Main Streets" and features 13 communities from six Midwestern states. After filming in Rochester, MN last summer, John recently came back to the city for a preview party of the Rochester episode. In this podcast, learn more about John's new travel show and his fascinating career.

John McGivern's Main Streets
Rochester episode of John McGivern's Main Streets
Experience Rochester, MN

He's been described as the Immigrant Pizza King of Rochester, and his pizza business has proven pandemic proof. His name is Pasquale Presa, and he's the namesake owner and operator of Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria in Rochester, Minnesota. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and his ability to pivot quickly, Pasquale's business has flourished and diversified.

Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria
Experience Rochester, MN

In 2019, Minnesota featured nearly 200 craft breweries. COVID-19 stifled the industry's growth and created challenges, but also opportunities. Dawn Finnie, owner of Little Thistle Brewery, and Annie Henderson, owner of Forager Brewery, are two leaders in the craft beer industry from Rochester, Minnesota. Both are collaborators who successfully pivoted and credit the support of their local community to help them weather the COVID storm.

Forager Brewery
Little Thistle Brewing
Experience Rochester, MN

The tourism and hospitality industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, but there are signs of a recovery. Two leaders in the tourism industry sit down for a conversation on the impact of the pandemic, the current state of affairs, and why they are bullish on the road ahead. Melvin Tennant is President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, and Joe Ward is President of Experience Rochester, Minnesota.

Experience Rochester's website