MANKATO, Minn. (February 18, 2026) — Visit Mankato is proud to announce that Director Ashlee White has been named the 2026 Emerging Leader by Explore Minnesota. The prestigious award was presented last week at the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference, held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes an individual who has joined Minnesota’s tourism industry within the last five years and demonstrates exceptional passion and leadership in advancing Minnesota as a welcoming destination. White, who has served as Director of Visit Mankato since 2023, was selected for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and contributions to strengthening tourism in Greater Mankato and across Southern Minnesota.
“I’m humbled to receive this recognition from Explore Minnesota, and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many talented tourism professionals across the state,” said White. “I’m also honored to work with a team at Visit Mankato that brings so much creativity, passion, and dedication to everything they do. Tourism plays a powerful role in supporting local businesses, strengthening community pride, and driving economic impact, and I’m proud to be part of that story for Greater Mankato.”
A Vision for Greater Mankato
Since taking the helm at Visit Mankato, White has led through a period of growth and organizational transformation. In 2025, she spearheaded the development of Visit Mankato’s comprehensive 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, engaging board members, hospitality partners, city leaders, and community stakeholders in a collaborative planning process that established clear imperatives and measurable priorities for the organization’s next chapter.
White has also strengthened Visit Mankato’s marketing effectiveness by embracing innovative, multi-channel advertising strategies supported by measurable performance metrics. Her use of visitor analytics, market segmentation, and lodging data has helped guide more targeted campaigns and improve decision-making across the organization.
“Ashlee brings both heart and excellence to everything she does,” said Della Schmidt, President & CEO of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. “Her professionalism, energy, and commitment to Greater Mankato tourism make her an incredible asset to our organization and our community.”
A Rising Voice in Minnesota Tourism
In addition to her work in Greater Mankato, White has played an active role in advancing tourism across the region and state. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Southern Minnesota Tourism Association and Chair of the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway Alliance. In 2025, she began serving on the Minnesota Tourism Association (MNTA) Education Committee and Silent Auction Committee, and in 2026 she joined the MNTA Board of Directors.
White has also supported major statewide events, including the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener, hosted in Mankato in May 2023, and the World Junior Hockey Pre-Tournament Series, which brought some of the NHL’s future stars to Mankato in December 2025.
Visit Mankato Statewide Recognition
In addition to this year’s Emerging Leader Award, Visit Mankato was also named a finalist for the 2026 Outstanding Marketing Campaign award – an honor the organization won in 2025. Visit Mankato was also a finalist for the Social Media Excellence award in 2025. Together, these statewide recognitions underscore the innovative and impactful work happening at Visit Mankato.
The annual Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference brings together tourism professionals from across the state to celebrate excellence in marketing, collaboration, and leadership. Visit Mankato extends congratulations to all 2026 “Stars of the North” award recipients who continue to elevate Minnesota as a premier destination.
For more details about the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference and award recipients, including remarks and session recordings, visit exploreminnesota.com/conference.
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About Visit Mankato:
Visit Mankato, the local destination management organization, is a business unit of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Visit Mankato leads the growth of the visitor economy in Greater Mankato by actively promoting Greater Mankato as a premier destination for conventions, tournaments, and leisure tourism. These activities bring a steady flow of visitors and business activity to Greater Mankato that benefits local residents and future visitors. The work of Visit Mankato helps strengthen the hospitality industry which provides jobs, a diverse tax base and amenities for everyone to enjoy.
Media Contact:
Ashlee White, Director
507-385-6664
[email protected]