By Susie Petersen, On the Map

Did you know &8230;

&8230; Minnesota&8217;s leisure and hospitality industry generates more than $10.5 billion in gross annual sales and employs more than 244,000 people?

&8230; Tourism is a key section or Minnesota&8217;s economy, comparable to agriculture in its contribution to the gross state product?

&8230; The annual number of person-visits in Minnesota (41 million) is nearly eight times the total population of the state?

&8230; Freeborn County&8217;s gross receipts grew from $32,984,699 to $35,104,373?

&8230; For every $1 invested in state tourism marketing returns an estimated $4.60 in state and local taxes, $20.40 in wages and $53 in gross sales.

The daily impact is that travelers in Minnesota spend more than $32 million per day and these dollars circulate widely into Minnesota&8217;s local and state economies, supporting businesses and amenities that add to Minnesotans&8217; quality of life.

Of those 41 million person-visits annually in Minnesota, they are distributed throughout the state as follows: metro 45 percent, northeast 16 percent, north central/west 21 percent and southern 19 percent.

Traveler spending by expenditure is: shopping 25 percent, recreation 25 percent, food 24 percent, lodging 14 percent and transportation 11 percent.

Albert Lea has an abundance of beauty and unique assets and it is our mission to develop awareness and continue to promote tourism opportunities. The ultimate goal is to give visitors an experience &8212; and one that gives a lasting impression to visit us again and again.

Wondering what is to do in March? Here are a few events to mark on your calendar. The Regional A Bantam Tournament continues at the Albert Lea City Arena March 1 & 2. The Albert Lea Civic Theatre presents Stephanie Erdman with &8220;A Tribute to the Legendary Ladies of Country Music&8221; (Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Dottie West) on March 8 & 9. The Albert Lea Art Center will present a joint show featuring Bob Muschler and Harland Bang in March.

The Albert Lea Parks & Recreation Department will host the fourth Annual Men&8217;s and Women&8217;s Competitive Tournament on March 15 and Co-Rec on March 22.

The fifth annual March Madness Preview Show will be held at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds on March 15. This is a junior cattle show for 4-H and FFA exhibitors from Freeborn County and a five-state area.

The Northbridge Mall March events included Home Based Business Show on March 1 & 2, 2007. Carol&8217;s Dance Performance was on March 2.

The annual Albert Lea School District 241 Science Fair will be held on March 8. The Spring Arts & Craft Show will be held on March 14, 15 & 16. Cammi&8217;s Dance Studio Performance will be held on March 29. Blue Grass Music is held the first and third Thursdays 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Please check our events calendar on our Web site for additional events that are posted continually.

Do you have an event to promote? We provide free welcome bags filled with information for any event, meeting, tournament, festivals, and class reunions promoting Albert Lea and the surrounding communities! Local businesses are welcome to place a coupon in the bags for visitors which are very much appreciated by the guests.

Information on the many events and festivals in our community, whether you&8217;re looking for our calendar of events, information on attractions or lists of hotels and restaurants, can be accessed by logging on to our Web site at cvbdirector@albertlea.org or call us at (507) 373-2316!

Susie Petersen is the executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.