“We are the conduit to them having a great experience here, and we want to make it easy for them to get the answers and help they need,” she said. And while there will be some unavoidable stress in the days ahead, Bausch insists that she likes a challenge. “I also like it when things go well, and I’m sure that’s what’s going to happen,” she said. One major uncontrollable factor is the weather. “I’m hoping it snows, because people who are coming here want to experience a real wintertime atmosphere,” she said. “We aren’t pretending to be Florida, so I want to show them our winter season at its best. I just hope it’s a manageable enough amount that it’s still easy to get around.”
‘Amazing’ Minnesota Once the big day has come and gone, Bausch hopes the world will know more about Minnesota — branded “the Bold North” by the host committee, which is driving home the moniker with #boldnorth hashtags on social media. “We want them to understand that we’re progressive, sophisticated, artistic and innovative,” she said. “The late Pat Fallon, founder and CEO of Fallon advertising agency, used to say that the word ‘amazing’ is not used enough when describing Minne-
▲▲Minnesota marketing guru Maureen Bausch gave up her longtime job at the Mall of America to build a team of more than 30 folks tasked with hosting Super Bowl LII and the 10day festival leading up to game day, Feb. 4. Photo courtesy of Uzoma Obasi / Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee
sota. So I hope that ‘amazing’ becomes the new word people use to describe us.” And what will she do when all the hullabaloo finally quiets down? “I know I’ll be bored stiff when the phone stops ringing,” she said. “I want to make sure all the people on our staff safely land in new positions, so I’ll be making introductions and smoothing their way through those transitions.” Then some rest and relaxation might be in order. “Once the bills are all paid, and it’s time to turn out the lights, I have this vision of renting a villa in the south of France and going there for a month,” she said. “I could just have all my friends and relatives come to stay.” But Bausch will eventually have to get back to work. “This job has been absolutely wonderful,” she said, “But I’m sure I’ll find some other way to be of use to another group.” Julie Kendrick is a contributing writer for many local and national publications. She lives in Minneapolis. Follow her on Twitter @KendrickWorks. Minnesota Good Age / January 2018 / 43