Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Land of 10,000 Lakes, and a Few Amazing Waterparks

Minnesota’s weather is often highlighted in the national news or the latest Hollywood film as nothing but snow, wind and subzero temperatures (and overly illustrative strong accents). Fortunately, we do experience our share of hot and sunny weather. Although we are known as the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota also has some pretty amazing water parks! Take a look at some of our favorite locations & make a plan to check them out to beat the heat and enjoy the summer.

One of our top water park picks is the Rapid River Lodge & Waterpark in Brainerd.  This water park has a 240-foot body slide, a 240-foot aqua slide, a lazy river, basketball courts and much more!  The lodge also offers many different specials throughout the summer to make it a cheap weekend destination for you and your family.


If you are looking for an outdoor waterpark adventure, Maple Grove has a fantastic option with the Grove Cove!  This aquatic center offers both indoor and outdoor pools for you to cool off in, as well as log-walks, water sprays, and even a tot-walk for the little ones.  Along with the pools & water slides, there are family friendly concessions that everyone in the family will enjoy.  They offer many different specials throughout the summer so make sure to check them out before your next visit.
For those who want to enjoy a water park that is especially family friendly, the Richfield Outdoor Pool includes a wading area with aquatic toys for the younger generations in the family, and wheelchair accessible pools for the older generations.  There are also water volleyball courts for the more athletic members of the family.  Also, the Richfield Outdoor Pool has many different umbrella covered tables for families who may want to enjoy a picnic after a dip in the pool.  As you can see, this pool is family friendly and a must-see this summer!


Yet another great outdoor water park location is Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls. This park includes four different water slides, a lazy river, Wild Adventure Island, and more!  Wild Mountain is also one of the only places in Minnesota to offer an Alpine slide.  This park makes it easy to spend a whole day enjoying the water and the weather.  They also offer go-karting and many other fun outdoor activities that will make you return every summer.


As you can see, Minnesota may be the land of 10,000 lakes, but we also have tons of amazing water parks to enjoy throughout the warm summer months!  Make sure to take advantage of them on the next hot summer day with your friends & family!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

99th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Vendor Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the
99th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!
Follow/connect with the Minnesota AWWA.  Please Note:  To create true/real activity, you
 MUST do more than follow…..  Please create a pose, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.
Social Media
Page Name
Link
Facebook
Minnesota AWWA
Facebook Event Page
Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference
Twitter
Minnesota AWWA
LinkedIn Group
Minnesota AWWA Events

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!
Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!
FACEBOOK 
Join the Facebook Event page to advertise your activities, promote your booth/company/services, share updates, posts, special offers, promotions for dinner specials, tag vendors/conference attendees and please share your excitement. Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook Page
                  Attached graphics for use, please add your logo:
S     @MinnesotaAWWA Members We Can’t Wait To See You In Duluth.
S     @MinnesotaAWWA Attendees Pick Up Your (VENDOR) Swag At Booth#
S     Don’t Be Uncouth; Visit Our Booth; While In Duluth! @MinnesotaAWWA               
TWITTER      
Use the official Minnesota AWWA conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions and specials.
S     Welcome @MinnesotaAWWA Members! Visit Booth XXX #MNAWWA                 
S     @MinnesotaAWWA! We Are An Official Sponsor!
S     @MinnesotaAWWA Members What Are You Most Excited at #MNAWWA?           
LINKEDIN GROUP
Are you presenting, participating in a competition event and/or exhibiting? Join Minnesota AWWA Events and share your topic/story/title to create discussion.

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!
Want assistance?  We can help! Please share any materials you create nathan@daytamarketing.com; we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

2015 Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference Blog http://bit.ly/1NuRORD

99th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Local Establishment Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the
99th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!
Follow/connect with the Minnesota AWWA.  Please Note:  To create true/real activity, you
 MUST do more than follow…..  Please create a pose, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.
Social Media
Page Name
Link
Facebook
Minnesota AWWA
Facebook Event Page
Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference
Twitter
Minnesota AWWA
LinkedIn Group
Minnesota AWWA Events

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!
Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!
FACEBOOK 
Join the Facebook Event page to share updates, posts, special offers, promotions for dinner specials, tag vendors/conference attendees and please share your excitement. Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook Page
                  Attached graphics for use:
S     Welcome @MinnesotaAWWA Members!      (add member specials)
S     No water, No beer. @Minnesota AWWA                                                                  
S     @Minnesota AWWA FREE water for all attendees!                                                
TWITTER      
Use the official Minnesota AWWA conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions and specials.
S     Welcome @MinnesotaAWWA Members!                                                                 
S     @MinnesotaAWWA! We’ll have a reason to hydrate.  #NoWaterNoBeer    
S     @MinnesotaAWWA! Stop in for…..               (add member specials)          

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!
Want assistance?  We can help! Please share any materials you create nathan@daytamarketing.com; we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!
2015 Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference Blog

99th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Attendee Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the
99th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!


STEP ONE: CONNECT!
Go to social sites to follow/connect with the Minnesota AWWA for conference updates. 
Please Note:  Social media policies have changed. To create true/real activity, you MUST do more than follow…..  Please create a post, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.
Social Media
Page Name
Link
Facebook
Minnesota AWWA
Facebook Event Page
Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference
Twitter
Minnesota AWWA
LinkedIn Group
Minnesota AWWA Events

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!
Let’s create activity!
FACEBOOK
Join the Facebook Event page referenced above. Please share your updates, posts and your excitement. We will be sharing vendor updates and offers from local establishments.
REMEMBER: Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook Page.

TWITTER
The official Minnesota AWWA conference hashtag is #MNAWWA.  Use it to share updates and stay current during the conference and WIN PRIZES. We plan to conduct a Social Toast LIVE Twitter Contest during the conference.  There will also be special offers from local establishment throughout the conference.

LINKEDIN GROUP
Are you presenting, participating in a competition event and/or exhibiting? Join Minnesota AWWA Events and share your story and create discussion.

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!
We’ve created materials for you to share. Any materials you create, please send them to us at nathan@daytamarketing.com. We will help advertise and share your excitement! 

2015 Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference Blog

Monday, June 29, 2015

Avoiding Dehydration In Summer Months

The summer months are a time to get outside and get active; sports, festivals, afternoons at the beach- you name it. During these outings, we need to remember to stay hydrated.  Water is the most important, and often times the most forgotten nutrient during the hot summer months. Make sure to stay hydrated in the summer heat this year with some of these helpful tips.
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Drink, Drink, Drink
If you are planning to be outside for long periods of time, it is important to drink water before, during and after any activity. Also, if you’re planning to be outside and doing physical activity for more than an hour in the heat, make sure to grab a sports drink that contains electrolytes to consume during or after your workout. This will replenish your body and keep you hydrated and cool.
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Avoid Alcohol
If you know in advance that you are going to be out in the heat, make sure to avoid alcohol the night before your outing. Being in the heat for long periods of time while consuming alcohol actually causes you to lose more of your body's fluid.  However, if you do plan to consume alcohol outdoors, try to give yourself plenty of time in the shade so you can avoid being overly dehydrated and overheated. For every alcoholic beverage you consume, have a non-alcoholic one to follow.


Eat the right foods
Fruits and veggies contain tons of water that can keep you hydrated. Things such as berries, watermelon, grapes and carrots are great to eat throughout the day to keep you hydrated.  These food items are also great for grilling, picnics or any outdoor get-togethers.
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Avoid energy drinks
Some people think that energy drinks are a great way to stay hydrated because of the energy and fruit juice they contain, however this is completely wrong.  When you are in the summer heat, do your best to avoid these sugary drinks, as they can actually be counterproductive to hydration. Instead try a fruit infused water to keep you refreshed, while also making your taste buds happy!


Staying hydrated during the summer is something many people forget to do.With all the   Although it is one of the most important things to do to keep our bodies hydrated and healthy.  Make sure to avoid dehydration and heat-related illness by following these helpful tips and keeping yourself hydrated whenever necessary.   


Thursday, May 28, 2015

Summer Lake Fun in Minnesota

Summertime in Minnesota means time spent out on the lake. Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, (perhaps because 11,842 doesn't have the same ring to it) which means there are endless water activities for you and your friends and family to take part in this summer. Take a look at some of our favorite bodies of water to see which one you should visit this summer!


For those of you who look forward to bass fishing in the summer, Rainy Lake may be just the spot for you.  Rainy Lake is located in International Falls and is a great lake to fish on while taking in the surrounding nature.  Wake up early & enjoy the sun rise as you head out to find the catch of the day. As the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm!


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Many who enjoy outdoor water activities such as canoing, kayaking and paddle boarding should make sure to visit the Lake of the Isles.  This lake is located in Minneapolis, MN close to Cedar Lake and Lake Calhoun.  Also, while you are out canoing make sure to take a look at the amazing houses located on the lake! This location is perfect for those who want to enjoy some lake fun without as much of a crowd that some surrounding lakes typically have.


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A great lake for swimming and pontoon party fun is Lake Pokegama.  This beautiful spot is located in Pine City, MN.  Lake Pokegama is a perfect place to take the family this summer to enjoy a nice swim, especially since it has a sand bar located right in the center!  For the party-goers, this spot is perfect since there are many places to dock the pontoon & enjoy a few cocktails.


0001-21071859.pngAnother great summer spot is Gull Lake, located in Brainerd, MN. This lake is perfect for those who enjoy more of a social scene in the summer time. There are many places to swim, and also pull your boat up to for some great food and drinks. A must-see destination off of Gull Lake is Zorbaz. This bar & restaurant is a hit among tourists and locals.

For some who don’t wish to travel far for some lake fun this summer, we have the perfect spot- take advantage of Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis!  This lake offers so many activities such as kayak and canoe rental, a beach for the bums, and their famous concession stand.  Whether you’re coming for cheese curds, ice cold beer, or even a chilled glass of wine, they’ve got you covered.


These are just a few of the over 10,000 lakes you can take advantage of this summer!  Pick which one fits your personality best and enjoy the water in the summer sun.  



Friday, May 1, 2015

Caffeine Awareness: Why you should be drinking more water

Every March, the United States celebrates Caffeine Awareness Month - 31 days devoted to learning about the addictive nature of caffeine. And though the month of March is over, the repercussions of excessive caffeine use is still a topic of conversation for coffee addicts and soda fanatics alike.

Water, of course, goes hand-in-hand with caffeine consumption. According to the Centers for Disease and Control, 43% of adults admitted to drinking no more than three cups of water a day - at least five cups of water less than what is considered the average necessary for healthy living. In comparison, The FDA recently reported that more than 97 percent of teenagers and adults drink caffeinated beverages.

While some caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks, contain water, their effects on the body are not as healthy as one might hope. The International Journal of Obesity has reported that drinking sugary beverages laced with caffeine have greatly contributed to the obesity epidemic of the western world. Coffee and tea have the potential to stain teeth, while energy drinks and sodas erode tooth enamel, which causes tooth decay. Heart health is also a factor, as well: The American Psychosomatic Society has found that caffeine has a tendency of raising most people’s blood pressure.

So is all caffeine bad? No, says the Washington Post. Research has shown that higher caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, as well as a 20% decrease in the likelihood of developing depression. But none of these benefits outweigh the positives of proper water consumption.

Don’t believe us? We’ve put together a list of six reasons to drink more water, with the help of WebMD and Greatist.

1: Water helps maintain the balance of body fluids.
The human body consists of nearly 60% water. When you ingest water, your brain recognizes it, and will either alert you to excrete it or hold onto it for later.

2: Water can help you with weight loss.
Generally speaking, replacing your habitual lunch soda with water can help conquer your weight-loss goals. Water is a non-caloric beverage, meaning it has no excess calories, and as it regulates your body, it can help control your weight. Plus, studies have shown that people who drink water before a meal lose weight faster than those who don’t.

3: Water energizes your muscles.
Muscle fatigue is an issue that can plague many people, especially athletes who become dehydrated while exercising. Cells that are not fluidly balanced have trouble working as hard as they need to, making it strenuous and sometimes even painful to finish a workout.

4: Water keeps your skin looking youthful.
Dehydration has a tendency of making skin look dry and wrinkled, causing you to look older or less fit than you may actually be. If you are properly hydrated, your skin looks much more evenly toned.

5: Water helps your kidneys.
A body with a well-balanced fluid intake has little to no difficulty transporting waste products in and out of cells correctly. But if your kidneys, which cleanse and rid the body of toxins, aren’t properly hydrated, these toxins can well up in your bloodstream.

6: Water keeps you alert.
Water, a refreshing and mood-boosting option, keeps you focused. Dehydration, including dehydration from coffee consumption, has a tendency of impairing attention span, memory, and motor skills.

So there you have it! Kick the caffeinated habit a little bit and indulge in more water. For more fun water facts, follow us on Twitter, and tweet at us with why you love drinking water.