Nobel Conference selected as Greater Mankato’s Convention of the Year

The Nobel Conference has been selected by the Greater Mankato Convention & Visitors Bureau as Greater Mankato’s 2005-06 Convention of the Year. The Nobel
Conference was chosen due to its positive impact on tourism and the business community, and its long history of success in generating recognition for the greater Mankato area. The Greater Mankato Convention & Visitors Bureau presented Gustavus with the award at its annual meeting on Nov. 30, 2006.

Awardees are chosen based on their economic impact on the community, their history, the number of people they have attracted to the area, and amount of publicity they generate. It is estimated that the Nobel Conference generated $935,625 in revenue in the greater Mankato area. Each year, the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations, and associations that support tourism in Greater Mankato. Past recipients have included River Hills Mall, MN Library Association, and Minnesota State University-Mankato Vikings Committee. The bureau takes nominations and winners are chosen by the Board of Directors.

The 2006 Nobel Conference, Medicine: Prescription for Tomorrow was the 42nd annual conference. The focus of the conference was on medical innovations and the public policy and medical care delivery problems and the ethical and moral issues that they can arise as a result of new technology. There were more than 5,000 attendees at this year’s two-day conference. The Nobel Conference brings visibility to the college and the area.

In 1963, the Nobel Hall of Science was dedicated as a memorial to Alfred Nobel and was attended by officials from the Nobel foundation and 26 Nobel laureates. After which, Gustavus President Edgar Carlson and other college officials requested and received permission from the Nobel Foundation in Sweden to hold an annual science conference using the Nobel name. The first Nobel Conference was held in 1965. Since then, 59 Nobel laureates have visited Gustavus to speak at the conference. The conference is a forum for world-class research scientists and scholars to discuss cutting-edge issues with students and interested adults.