Maryland Business

By: Liz Farmer

I was perusing The Baltimore Sun Web site today when an odd banner ad caught my attention (left).

The Minnesota State Fair? I would expect certainly the Virginias, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and maybe even New York to advertise their state fairs in this market. But it’s not like Minnesota is a hop, skip and a jump away. It’s more like a drive to the airport, ride on a plane and a rent a car away.

So I then I thought maybe the state launched a new ad campaign this year where they’re just advertising the heck out of themselves (not that all the way out here would be the best ad buy for them anyway, but it would at least make some sense). But then I saw this quote from the state’s tourism head from earlier this year:

“People will be traveling closer to home this year so we’re focusing our advertising in nearby markets,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism in May. “This has been a stressful year, and many people will be eager to get away from it all for a while. We’re getting the word out that Minnesota’s a great place to get away to.”

So what gives? Anyone care to take a stab at the reason for the ad?