Von Bank named executive director of RiverSouth marketing effort
Bill Von Bank has been named executive director of RiverSouth — Land of Big Fun, a marketing collaboration between four of Minnesota’s most popular entertainment destinations located in the southwest metro area — Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Canterbury Park, Valleyfair, and the Renaissance Festival.
Von Bank, a strategic marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the tourism, attractions, and entertainment industry, will promote and brand a flourishing geographic region that attracts more than 10 million visitors annually.
The four entertainment venues launched RiverSouth in 2014 to build a stronger, more unified, identity for the region’s expansive entertainment offerings, attract increased and extended visits to the area, and pursue economic development opportunities to support the region’s tourism base.
“We are very fortunate to be adding Bill Von Bank to RiverSouth. With his extensive marketing experience and track record of success, combined with his familiarity of this region and all that it has to offer, we expect to see the RiverSouth brand and influence grow quickly,” said Tom Polusny, executive vice president of operations at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.
Von Bank most recently led the international marketing efforts for the state tourism promotion office, Explore Minnesota Tourism. He spent eight years as director of marketing and sales for the Minnesota Zoo, during which time he saw a five-year attendance growth of 40 percent and record attendance of 1.36 million guests. He was also director of marketing and sales for Valleyfair from 2003 to 2006. Von Bank served as executive director of the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce in the 1990s and in that same capacity for the Burnsville Convention & Visitors Bureau from 1999 to 2003.
“It’s great to be back in the ‘Land of Big Fun’ and promoting RiverSouth,” said Von Bank. “I have an affinity for this region, and I look forward to broadening its reach and sharing the stories of these wonderful attractions.”
Von Bank will officially start with RiverSouth on Oct. 19.
Reported by: SWNewsMedia.com
Von Bank, a strategic marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the tourism, attractions, and entertainment industry, will promote and brand a flourishing geographic region that attracts more than 10 million visitors annually.
The four entertainment venues launched RiverSouth in 2014 to build a stronger, more unified, identity for the region’s expansive entertainment offerings, attract increased and extended visits to the area, and pursue economic development opportunities to support the region’s tourism base.
“We are very fortunate to be adding Bill Von Bank to RiverSouth. With his extensive marketing experience and track record of success, combined with his familiarity of this region and all that it has to offer, we expect to see the RiverSouth brand and influence grow quickly,” said Tom Polusny, executive vice president of operations at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.
Von Bank most recently led the international marketing efforts for the state tourism promotion office, Explore Minnesota Tourism. He spent eight years as director of marketing and sales for the Minnesota Zoo, during which time he saw a five-year attendance growth of 40 percent and record attendance of 1.36 million guests. He was also director of marketing and sales for Valleyfair from 2003 to 2006. Von Bank served as executive director of the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce in the 1990s and in that same capacity for the Burnsville Convention & Visitors Bureau from 1999 to 2003.
“It’s great to be back in the ‘Land of Big Fun’ and promoting RiverSouth,” said Von Bank. “I have an affinity for this region, and I look forward to broadening its reach and sharing the stories of these wonderful attractions.”
Von Bank will officially start with RiverSouth on Oct. 19.
Reported by: SWNewsMedia.com
