The Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau recently held its annual board retreat. The annual meeting provides the board with the past accomplishments and new goals for the year. The lodging tax revenues increased in 2009 compared with 2008.

We were extremely pleased that 2009 Visitors Guide distribution increased from 20,000 guides to 30,000. Distributions of the guides were to the following: Minnesota Travel Information Centers, Trails Travel Center Display, and Mall of America, local hotels, attractions and restaurants. We welcomed and provided many bus groups, camper rallies, private groups and class reunions with tours and event planning and welcome packets. The CVB continues to advertise and promote on Web sites and CTM Display Media Group with distributes guides Interstate 35 Minnesota to I-35 Iowa corridors, Rochester and Twin City airports.

The 2010 Gold Hospitality Award from global lodging leader Choice Hotels International Inc. was awarded to the Albert Lea Comfort Inn. Congratulations, Karen Davis and your team, on receiving this distinguished award!

The Big Freeze

Visit ttp://www.visitalbertlea.org/big_freeze.html.

The Big Freeze Event will be held Feb. 13 and 14 at the Pelican Breeze Boat Landing area on Albert Lea Lake. Events include: polar plunge, chili cook-off, broomball and softball tournaments, snowmobile radar runs, skydiving/tandem jump, take-a-kid ice fishing, a warming tent with music featuring the Canyon Cowboys. A medallion hunt worth $300 in Chamber Bucks kicks off the event with clues beginning Feb. 7 to KATE, Power 96 and the Albert Lea Tribune.

Clues will be available first at AlbertLeaTribune.com. The first clue goes up at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

More events

The first of a series of purpose workshops will be held Feb. 13. Those attending will leave not only with significant clarity about their individual life purpose, but with confidence they can live it every moment of their life!

The CVB welcomes the Spring Barrow Show to Albert Lea yesterday and today at the fairgrounds. The annual ice fishing contest “Super Hole Sunday” will be held on Fountain Lake on Feb. 7. For all you disc golfers, be sure to attend the Bancroft Bay Blizzard Bowl tournament on Feb. 13 at Bancroft Bay Park. The Flying Lea Disc Golf Club hopes to raise money this year for a nine-hole course at a location to be determined later.

Albert Lea welcomes B-Squirts Hockey Tournament Teams to Albert Lea City Arena Feb.12-14.

The Albert Lea ACT Theatre presents “Ah, Wilderness” Feb. 11-20. This classic comedy is one you won’t want to miss! On Feb. 19, the Albert Lea Honor Guard presents “The Hilarious Faces of Harley Worthit from Branson, Mo., and Lang and Lang and Krause Band with vocals by Stephanie Erdman” held at Southwest Theater.

The Albert Lea Art Center continues with the All Member Show in February. Civic Music will present “Ten O’Clock Classics,” hailed as the hip of classical music on Feb. 18. There will be plenty of Albert Lea Thunder hockey action at the City Arena with games on Feb. 5, 19, 20, 26 and 27.

Northbridge Mall presented the annual Tiger City Farm Toy Truck & Collectible Show on Feb. 6 and 7. The annual Big Island Historical Fair is Feb. 13 and 14. The Story Lady Doll & Toy Museum presents Sock Puppets with Carly Adams on Feb. 27. Holiday Lanes City Bowling Tournament will be held on February 6, 7, 12 and 14. Park & Rec is holding a volleyball tournament Feb. 27.

For a complete listing of events go to www.albertleatourism.org.

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