(PHOTOS) Discover SLP Launches in Style

With businesses from across St. Louis Park represented, the city's new convention and visitors bureau had a big bash on Thursday to welcome the organization to the community.

Discover St. Louis Park had a launch party at its Parkdale Plaza office. Food from a number of local restaurants was served, and FOX 9's Jim Rich served as the emcee. John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota, and Discover St. Louis Park President John Basill gave short addresses.

The local convention and visitors bureau formed in December 2010, when City Council to fund the operation. Basill was last summer, and Discover St. Louis Park really got rolling earlier this year. Last week, the organization at the Governor's Fishing Opener.

As posted on the organization's website, Discover St. Louis Park has the following mission:

Discover St. Louis Park provides information about St. Louis Park lodging, dining, shopping, attractions, events, arts, culture and recreation opportunities. The organization proactively markets to a variety of groups such as leisure travel, group tours, amateur sports, meetings and special events.

Discover St. Louis Park is committed to marketing and promoting St. Louis Park, assuring utilization of our businesses and community assets, exceeding stakeholder expectations through effective initiatives, responsiveness and forging strong economic relationships.