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 North Dakota Tourism is hitting the road!
We’re bringing the North Dakota Tourism team to Dickinson, Williston, Devils Lake and Fargo for four exciting opportunities to connect, learn and collaborate. Discover how to better engage with North Dakota Tourism to grow travel and tourism in your region.
What’s happening?
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Tourism Overview: Our mission, strategic priorities and industry performance
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Research & Insights: County-level and geolocation data
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Marketing Strategies: Paid media, campaign results and partnership opportunities
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Earned & Social Media: PR, influencer collaborations and engagement metrics
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Digital Marketing: Website, email and partner portal
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Visitor Services: Travel guides, maps, rest area program and traveler support
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Group Sales & Global Marketing: Tour operator and international how-to's
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Ways to Engage: Conferences, virtual chats and advocacy opportunities
When and where?
DICKINSON | Feb. 24, 2026 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. MDT | Stark County Veterans Pavilion
WILLISTON | Feb. 26, 2026 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. CDT | Great Northern Events Center
DEVILS LAKE | March 23, 2026 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. CDT | Shores Event Center
FARGO | March 25, 2026 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. CDT | Fargo Sports Center
Why should you be there?
- Learn what’s working—and what’s next—for North Dakota tourism
- Explore cost-sharing and cooperative marketing opportunities
- Access photo/video assets and resources
- Meet the North Dakota Tourism team and connect with partners
- Ask questions and provide local insight
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 Community service office hours - what to know about weatherization and LIHEAP
Looking for insights on community programs and resources? Don’t miss our monthly Community Services Virtual Office Hours, hosted by the Office of Community Development and Rural Prosperity. Each session focuses on a specific topic and offers direct access to subject-matter experts from across the North Dakota Department of Commerce.
This Month’s Topic: Weatherization
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (CDT)
Learn how the Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-qualified households improve energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and enhance home comfort.
Our experts will cover:
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Program Eligibility & Application Process – Who qualifies and how to apply.
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Energy-Saving Upgrades – From insulation and air sealing to heating system improvements.
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Funding & Partnerships – How communities can leverage resources to support residents.
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Impact on Health & Safety – Why weatherization matters beyond energy savings.
 Help shape 2026 economic development engagements
Commerce is working closely with the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) to refine how we collaborate on conferences, sector growth initiatives and site selector engagement—ensuring our efforts align with shared priorities for North Dakota’s economic future.
For 2026, we’ve identified three key focus areas:
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Business Attraction & Recruitment: Opportunities like the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, which aligns with North Dakota’s leadership in uncrewed aircraft systems and autonomy, and SelectUSA, a national platform for domestic expansion and foreign direct investment.
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Site Selector Engagement: Events such as Site Selectors Guild Spring & Fall Conferences, and Area Development Forums in Charlotte (March) and Chicago (October).
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Professional Development: Industry-leading forums like International Economic Development Council and Mid-America Economic Development Council to strengthen best practices and build capacity statewide.
We need your input! Complete our short survey to:
✔ Indicate interest in collaborating on these engagements.
✔ Share how your organization can add value.
✔ Suggest additional conferences or opportunities Commerce should consider.
Your feedback will guide prioritization and planning for 2026. Please submit responses by May 31, 2026.
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 Spotlight on talent attraction
Buba Kanagi and Sydney Helgeson recently attended the University of North Dakota’s Spring Career Expo, where they met with students exploring career paths after graduation. They shared insights on the wide range of opportunities available across North Dakota—from growing industries like energy and technology to roles in healthcare and manufacturing. Events like this help strengthen relationships with future professionals and highlight the benefits of building a career right here in our state.
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Also Happening at Commerce |
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Effertz speaks at energy conference
Maria Effertz, Director of Community Services at Commerce, moderated a session at the National Association of State Energy Officials conference titled The Power of Electricity Affordability: Cost Drivers and States’ Mitigation Strategies. Experts from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Guidehouse and the Hawaii State Energy Office shared insights on what drives rising energy costs and strategies states can use to support affordability while pursuing clean energy goals.
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Fregoso nominated for NEXT 2026
Congratulations to Guillermo Fregoso from our Economic Development and Finance team for being nominated to participate in NEXT 2026, a two-day leadership experience in Tucson, AZ, on March 10–11. This program prepares rising economic development professionals with core leadership skills, mentorship and tools for long-term career growth.
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Commerce represents ND at SelectUSA Calgary
Commerce's Rich Garman and EDND's Matt Marshall attended the SelectUSA Western Canada Conference in Calgary—Western Canada’s largest U.S. investment and market entry event. The team engaged with Canadian companies on industrial projects requiring significant energy capacity, leveraging North Dakota’s strengths in energy and agriculture, and highlighting tax and business climate advantages for U.S. expansion.
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Showcasing Tribal Inclusion in Travel Development
Fred Walker from Commerce served as a panelist at the International Inbound Travel Association Conference in New York, sharing North Dakota’s approach to tribal tourism and the strong partnerships between the state and the five tribal nations. The session highlighted our efforts in communication and inclusion of tribal communities, which were recognized as best practices by attendees.
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Grant Opportunity |
Destination Development Grant: additional funding round
Deadline: March 10, 2026
Commerce is now accepting applications for the Destination Development Grant program, which provides funding to develop or expand attractions that bring new visitors to North Dakota and enhance quality of life for residents.
Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses, nonprofits and tourism-related entities. Applications must be submitted online.
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Upcoming Events |
 Join us at the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference!
The 2026 ND Travel Industry Conference is right around the corner, and this year’s keynote speaker is Andrew Davis—a bestselling author, former NBC producer and marketing expert who once worked for The Muppets! Davis will share how destination marketers can harness the power of AI to amplify their impact.
Important Deadlines:
- Early-bird registration ends March 2
- Scholarship applications due February 27
- Hotel room block reservations close March 14
- Governor’s Travel and Tourism Award nominations due March 5
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Upcoming LOIS and LASSO Trainings
Commerce’s Economic Development team is offering hybrid training sessions to help partners get started with LOIS and Lasso. These tools support property marketing and site selection preparedness.
Trainings begin July 1, 2026. Recordings and guides are available for previous sessions. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your organization’s readiness for site selection projects!
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Power in Partnerships |
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 Valley City Brings Vibrancy to Downtown with Community Mural
In 2024, Valley City transformed a blank wall into a vibrant symbol of community pride through a paint-by-number mural project. Led by the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation and supported by a Main Street Initiative Vibrancy Grant, the mural incorporated local themes like agriculture, the North Dakota Winter Show and the Carnegie Library.
More than 700 residents, including students and families, joined in painting during the Summer Vikes on Central event. The project sparked downtown activity, strengthened community connections and even inspired a second mural nearby using leftover grant funds.
“This initiative really highlighted the power of youth engagement and demonstrated how creative placemaking can transform not just a space, but a spirit,” said Anya Hondel, ND Commerce.
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In The News |
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 The Renaissance Zone program:
- Offers state and local tax incentives for 5 years to support residential and commercial development in designated areas
- Zones are sized based on population — up to 34 contiguous blocks in towns under 5,000, and larger zones in bigger cities (up to 49 blocks)
- Each zone is crafted around a city’s own comprehensive or strategic plan, ensuring development aligns with long-term community goals
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