February 22, 2024
Celebrate North Dakota's Travel Innovators: Nominate for the Governor's Awards
Do you know someone who has made a difference in the travel industry in North Dakota? Then help us celebrate them! Nominations for the Governor's Awards for Travel and Tourism are open until Feb. 29. Explore the award categories:
Sakakawea Award for a Behind-the-Scenes Tourism Employee
Heritage Award for a Front-line Tourism Employee
Trailblazer Award for Tourism Innovation
Amplifier Award for Marketing Excellence
Flint Firestarter Award for a Tourism Development Project
Legend Award for Travel & Tourism Industry Leadership
Register for the 2024 North Dakota Travel Industry Conference - Early Rates End Feb. 29!
Get ready for great speakers and connecting at the 2024 North Dakota Travel Industry Conference! Join us for three days of inspiration, education, and networking that will elevate your presence in North Dakota's dynamic travel and tourism industry.
Check out the agenda and featured speakers:
Start the conference curious with comedian James Robilotta
Improve access for all with awareness from Justin Farmer
Avoid financial failures with lessons from Julie Hart
Get superpowers with ChatGPT and Janette Roush
Early bird registration of $200 per person ends on Feb. 29. On March 1 registration fees increase to $250 per person.
2023 Main Street Award Winners Announced and Exciting Plans for 2024 Summit in Watford City
Innovative projects recognized include the City of Baldwin's Greenhouse and McKenzie County Tourism's online training. Dickinson Legacy Square and the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation shine in downtown revitalization. Beach and Grand Forks impress with vibrant community projects. LaMoure and Minot receive accolades for infrastructure improvements. Nome Schoolhouse is honored for economic diversification, while Launching Leadership takes the Future Leaders Empowerment Award. Save the date for the 2024 Main Street ND Summit in Watford City from Aug. 27 to 29 and stay tuned for 2024 Main Street Grant Award nominations!
Enhanced Homepage Experience: Interactive Map Offers Gateway to Discover North Dakota
North Dakota Tourism is excited to introduce a revamped NDtourism.com, featuring a cutting-edge interactive map and enhanced website features to streamline your North Dakota adventure planning. This redesign simplifies adventure planning with categorized lists, a revamped bucket list, and opportunities for local businesses to showcase unique offerings. Whether you're into outdoor adventures, history, culture, or family-friendly fun, the interactive map makes it a breeze to discover the perfect North Dakota experience.
Energize Your North Dakota Community: Apply for the Vibrancy Grant Program by March 1
Revitalize your North Dakota community with the Vibrancy Grant Program! Whether your community wants to add public art, activate underutilized space, or promote walking and biking, this program may interest you. By starting small and supporting an initial community vibrancy project, this grant program can inspire others in your community to engage and contribute to community vibrancy, improving quality of life for visitors and residents. Apply before the March 1 deadline!
Schmidt, Werner, Jolliffe: Honoring Impactful Communicators on Gov Comm's Day
Join us this Saturday, Feb. 24, for Gov Comm's Day, recognizing the vital work of communicators in North Dakota. Government communication teams inform, educate, and engage transparently. We are excited to spotlight Commerce's Communications team: Kim Schmidt, Communications Manager, Amber Werner, Communications Specialist, and Alicia Jolliffe, Social Strategist, for their impactful work!
Apply Now for the Technical Skills Training Grant and Shape Tomorrow's Workforce in North Dakota
The Technical Skills Training grant supports North Dakota training providers and employers in creating rapid re-skilling and upskilling programs aligned with the In-Demand Occupations list. The program, with a 1:1 match, offers three tracks: Track A for new training programs (up to $200,000), Track B for internal upskilling (up to $50,000), and Track C for workforce automation enhancement (up to $200,000). Eligible applicants, excluding degree programs, must comply with state regulations, ensuring training in North Dakota and participant residency and work in the state. Reviewing grant guidelines is advised before applying.
Congratulations to Otte Coleman: Newly Elected U.S. Travel Association Board Member for 2024
Congratulations to Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman on her election as a U.S. Travel Association Board member for 2024!
In her role as a U.S. Travel Association Board member, Otte Coleman will be at the forefront of driving initiatives that align with the association's 2024 priorities. The travel industry, recognized as an economic powerhouse, plays an important role in uniting people, benefiting society, and enhancing the global competitiveness of the United States.
Immediate challenges in air travel, such as staffing, technology, and infrastructure problems, will be addressed by securing the final passage of Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization. Tackling lengthy visa delays, broadening the industry's relevance by advancing road and rail connectivity, and diversifying the value proposition through member engagement and innovation are other critical aspects of the agenda.
Her leadership will be instrumental in elevating the industry's perceived value among policymakers, opinion leaders, and business leaders. Coleman joins CEOS of Hilton, Delta, Ceasars, Universal Destinations, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism and other Destination Marketing Organizations who make up the board.
February 8, 2024
Teigen Highlights Commerce's Achievements in Brazil and Louisiana
Commissioner Josh Teigen of Commerce recently led an investment mission to Brazil and Louisiana, strategically focusing on key sectors – Energy, Agriculture, and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Shawn Kessel and experts in each sector, including Charlie Gorecki, Mark Askelson, and Aaron Reinholz, the delegation aimed to showcase North Dakota's economic opportunities.
In Brazil, the team visited Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, presenting at forums like the Cubo Innovation Hub. Teigen highlighted North Dakota's potential in these key sectors, fostering a positive reception that hinted at potential returns on investment in the coming months.
Teigen’s the mission extended to Louisiana, where he visited CGB Enterprises, Inc. The objective was to gain insights into the role played by this key player in agricultural commerce and global supply chains. This visit underscored the delegation's commitment to understanding and strengthening economic partnerships.
The mission's outcomes were promising, with the positive reception during presentations and the practical insights gained from visiting key facilities suggesting that North Dakota's strategic outreach may lead to significant economic growth and collaboration in the near future.
Commerce Represents at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
The Commerce team joined the prestigious WM Phoenix Open as a sponsor, seizing the opportunity to showcase the state's tourism offerings at "The People's Open." Engaging fans through activations in four hospitality tents, the Legendary presence highlighted North Dakota's golf courses and outdoor adventures. In collaboration with actor and North Dakota native Josh Duhamel, the tourism department unveiled a new video featuring the state's top-rated golf courses.
The initiative also involved business and community leaders promoting tourism, talent recruitment, and workforce development. Attendees could interact with Theodore Roosevelt reprisor Joe Weigand, promoting the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the eagerly anticipated Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum opening in Medora, North Dakota, in 2026.
The North Dakota activations will also be supported by business and community leaders from throughout the state that will be instrumental in bringing to life personal insights for tourism, talent recruitment and workforce development. The synergies in marketing tourism and workforce development are highlighted as part of North Dakota's Find the Good Life initiative designed to match potential residents with careers and communities. Commerce extends gratitude to Odney and Fahlgren-Mortine for their collaboration in efforts at the WM Phoenix Open.
The Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) Now Open
This is a chance for communities to tackle workforce challenges, collaborate for sustainable solutions, and boost economic stability. Key Points:
Immediate Challenge Solutions: RWIP supports initiatives targeting the most pressing workforce challenges to boost economic stability.
Collaboration: Regional partners are encouraged to work together to maximize resources and create sustainable solutions.
Geographical and Demographic Impact: Collaborations that impact various communities and populations throughout a region are suggested, though not mandatory. Applications are due April 1, 2024.
Snap, Guide, Go! Theodore Roosevelt National Park 2024 Permits Now Available
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is introducing a new online application process for the 2024 commercial season, accepting permits for Guided Photography Workshops and Step-On Interpretive Guide Service until March 1, 2024.
North Dakota Development Fund, Inc. approves over $6.7 million for Q4 2023
In Q4 2023, five businesses received loans totaling $6.7 million from the North Dakota Development Fund. Explorer's Academy Jamestown and Hillsboro got $100,000 each, Airtonomy (DBA Thread) secured $500,000, The Wave by Epic received $3 million for a construction project, and Scranton Holding Company got a $3 million investment for facility design and permitting.