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North Dakota shines at the Great American State Fair |
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The Great American State Fair was a resounding success for North Dakota, with our booth maintaining incredible momentum and engaging 300–350 visitors per hour throughout the event.
Our team was on the ground connecting with a diverse audience of potential visitors, job seekers, relocators and retirees. A special thank you to our North Dakota Tourism representatives for their hard work: Penny Blotsky, Marketing Coordinator, who served as project manager; Deanne Cunningham, Tourism Sales and Services Manager; Mike Jensen, Tourism Outdoor Recreation Manager; and Cassie Theurer, Digital Asset Specialist.
The Tourism team was also joined by three State Historical Society of North Dakota staff members, a representative from the State Library, a representative from Veterans Affairs and congressional interns and staff who helped showcase North Dakota throughout the event.
 The interest in North Dakota was palpable, and our promotional materials were exceptionally well-received. Thanks also to the North Dakota Geological Survey and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library for loaning items for the exhibit.
North Dakota officially ranked in the top 5 most-searched destinations among state fair attendees. This surge in interest also attracted significant attention from national media outlets, including CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Associated Press.
 The buzz is translating directly into web traffic as well. During the dates of the event, visits to NDtourism.com increased by 168% from Virginia, 22% from New York, 16% from Washington DC, 13% from Maryland and 35% from West Virginia. It is clear that the North Dakota message is resonating nationwide, and we are grateful to the team for their hard work in putting our state on the map.
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The opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) has served as a monumental milestone, providing a global stage to showcase North Dakota’s legendary spirit. This success was fueled by a dedicated, statewide team effort that kept our unique story at the forefront of the national conversation.
 On the ground, Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman facilitated key conversations, while Communications Manager Kim Schmidt assisted with media outreach to ensure our state's narrative remained the center of the spotlight.
 The impact was immediate and we are still capturing amazing coverage as the momentum continues. From June 28 to July 7, the TRPL grand opening generated 351 media placements, and the coverage generated an estimated 458 million impressions—an increase of 187%. When combined with the interest surrounding the visit from President Trump, those figures surged to 8.87K mentions and a staggering 17.4 billion in reach, a 3,000% increase.
This momentum translated directly into a surge of digital interest. During that same ten-day window, the TRPL landing page on NDtourism.com received over 5,500 views, with related pages adding another 2,300. Most impressively, organic search traffic to the site spiked 62% on July 1, proving that the world is looking to North Dakota.
The statewide partners involved in this amazing opening and associated events are too numerous to list but include the TRPL leadership, the Dept. of the Interior, current and past Governors, the North Dakota legislature and the entire Medora community. |
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Destination Development Grant supports new powwow arbor |
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Representing the Tourism team, Destination Development Grant Program Administrator McKenzie Redmann attended the celebration to witness the project's impact firsthand.
 The event showcased vibrant music, dance, storytelling and cultural traditions, offering visitors an authentic experience while highlighting the importance of preserving and sharing North Dakota's Native American heritage.
The Chief Little Shell Memorial Powwow Arbor represents more than a new structure. It is an investment in cultural tourism that will help strengthen tribal tourism, expand visitor experiences and celebrate the unique stories that make North Dakota a premier destination for travelers seeking authentic cultural connections.
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Investing in bigger experiences at the Red River Valley Fair
The Red River Valley Fair unveiled its new grandstand during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 7, marking a major investment in one of North Dakota's premier event venues. The project was supported through the Destination Development Grant and is designed to strengthen the fair's ability to attract larger entertainment acts and expand year-round programming.
Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman, Creative Communications Strategist Alicia Jolliffe and Destination Development Grant Program Administrator McKenzie Redmann attended the celebration to recognize the partnership behind the project.
Investments like this help communities create memorable attractions that draw visitors, support local economies and strengthen North Dakota's tourism industry by creating destinations that attract visitors year-round. |
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Celebrating North Dakota's only WWII Heritage City |
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Valley City celebrated its designation as North Dakota's only WWII Heritage City during a special ceremony on July 8. The designation, awarded by the National Park Service to just one community in each state, recognizes Valley City's commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of the Greatest Generation.
Digital Systems Manager Tricia Miller and Digital Content Specialist Amy Schmidt attended the celebration to recognize the community's achievement and Tourism's continued partnership. The team also explored Valley City's Talking Trails, visited the Rosebud Visitor Center and the new WWII American Heritage Center inside the Barnes County Museum, while connecting with local partners to support future visitor experiences.
 The Talking Trails project received support through the Destination Development Grant, and community leaders highlighted Tourism's role in helping bring the vision to life. The designation adds another unique cultural attraction for visitors while reinforcing North Dakota's commitment to preserving its rich history and sharing it with travelers from around the world.
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ND250 Road Trip: our American story |
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The North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck officially opened its America250 exhibition on July 1. Tourism Outdoor Recreation Manager Mike Jensen and member of the North Dakota 250 Commission, played an active role in coordinating elements of the exhibit. This limited-time exhibit highlights North Dakota's role in the American story over the past 250 years through compelling artifacts, interactive experiences, and engaging storytelling.
The exhibit offers fresh perspectives on the Indigenous peoples who called this land home when America declared its independence and the generations who came here after 1776. Visitors are invited to discover where their ancestors may have been 250 years ago, what brought people to North Dakota, how they made the journey, and how the people of this land and their ancestors intersect with the story of America.
 Visitors can see Theodore Roosevelt’s rifle and clothing, view Karl Bodmer artworks, snap a selfie with a 10-foot Dala Horse, and dive into hands-on features like “Plan Your ND Road Trip.” The exhibition also explores Indigenous history, immigration, tourism, genealogy, and North Dakota’s modern innovations and ideas that have left a lasting impact on agriculture, energy, and technology.
This free, once-in-a-lifetime exhibit is now open and ready to explore!
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New mini-golf course breaks ground at Jamestown’s Frontier Village |
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Excitement is building at Frontier Village following the recent groundbreaking for the new "Bison Bend Mini Golf" course. This 18-hole project is designed to be an educational experience, with each hole featuring local history and landmarks. The development is supported by a Destination Development Grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce. Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman and Commerce Program Administrator McKenzie Redmann joined community leaders for the ceremony.
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 Scheduled to open on June 1, 2027, the course aims to provide a new, family-friendly destination that encourages visitors to extend their stay in Jamestown.
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