Over 200 tourism professionals will converge on Fargo this week for the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference. The three-day event, hosted by the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau, focuses on education, networking, and collaborating to showcase North Dakota's unique tourism offerings.
"This conference provides a valuable platform for collaboration and sharing best practices," Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO Charley Johnson said.
"It strengthens our industry and positions North Dakota as a must-visit destination."
The conference kicks off with professional development opportunities and an opening reception at Fargo's newest entertainment venue, Brewhalla Market. Interactive sessions explore diverse topics like building strong teams, accessible travel experiences, sustainable travel and stewardship, and rural tourism development. Experts from MMGY Global and CFO by Design will provide insights on maximizing visitor experiences and navigating potential pitfalls for destination marketing organizations.
"North Dakota's travel and tourism industry is poised for a strong season," Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman said. "Tourism fuels our economy, sustains our quality of life that supports communities, and elevates the image of North Dakota. It also introduces visitors to our state's beauty and heritage, potentially inspiring future residents. This connection between tourism and talent attraction is a powerful opportunity for our state."
North Dakota’s tourism industry generated $3.55 billion in travel spending in 2023, a 36% increase from 2021. The state is well position to build from this in 2024 with a continued focus on welcoming communities and legendary experiences. The 2023 report on marketing North Dakota and the Travel and Tourism Industry is available at commerce.nd.gov/tourism-marketing/research-and-reports.
The conference concludes on Wednesday with a session on ChatGPT's impact on tourism, the Governor's Photo Contest awards, and breakout sessions on Native American cultural tours, content marketing strategies, and navigating Google Analytics 4. The event concludes with the Governor's Awards Luncheon honoring industry leaders.
More information about the event can be found at https://www.commerce.nd.gov/tourism-marketing/travel-industry-conference.