Commerce News | Feb. 22
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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 Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman on her election as a U.S. Travel Association Board member for 2024! Otte Coleman's dedication to the travel industry aligns with U.S. Travel's unique mission to promote and enhance travel to and within the United States. With a focus on establishing travel as essential and responsible, advancing seamless and secure travel, shaping solutions to operational challenges, and building a robust business environment, we know that she will make significant contributions to U.S. Travel's mission and strategic direction. Coleman joins CEOS of Hilton, Delta, Ceasars, Universal Destinations, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism and other Destination Marketing Organizations who make up the board.
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