Breaking local business news in today's Wall Street Journal: conventions are a good thing for hotels, the newspaper reports. The Twin Cities hotel market is "undoubtedly doing better than it would have without the Republican convention." The uptick comes at a good time, analysts said. The metro area has seen a surge of about 2,000 new hotel rooms since 2006 with little growth during that time.

Synovis Life Technologies continues to look alive. The St. Paul company recorded its ninth consecutive record quarter for revenue, taking in $13.4 million in May through July. That's a 35 percent jump compared to the same period last year. Synovis saw revenue rise for a number products, including one used to control bleeding during gastric bypass surgery.

Simon is tossing the keys to Coborn's. The St. Cloud grocer has purchased the shuttered SimonDelivers and plans to restart the online shopping service soon. A spokesman tells the Star Tribune that Coborn's has a size advantage that allows it to buy food at better prices. Simon's customers will be able to reactivate their accounts, the Pioneer Press writes, but many appear to have already switched to competitors like Lunds/Byerlys and Gopher Grocery.

Do you have an inside scoop or news tip about a Minnesota company? Spotted something interesting in your RSS reader? Drop Business Agenda a note at dhaugen [at] minnpost [dot] com.