Staff Reporter

The banquet hall of El Rancho Motor Hotel was abuzz with big numbers and fresh ideas Wednesday morning when area tourism stakeholders gathered for a regional 2008 Tourism Congress meeting.

At the conference, initiatives were developed for advancing the tourism industry and recent data was presented reflecting growth of the industry throughout the state. After kicking off the tour in Minot on Tuesday, Williston was the second of eight locations that will be hosting these conferences throughout the state, taking place March 4-6 and 11-12.

The Tourism Congress is coordinated by the North Dakota Tourism Alliance Partnership (TAP), the Destination Marketing Association of North Dakota (DMAND), and the North Dakota Department of Commerce Tourism Division (Tourism Division). Stakeholders also discussed tourism's economic impact, identified industry challenges and growth opportunities, developed strategies for growth, and prioritized programs and action items for the 2009 Legislative Session.

The tourism industry structure was identified in terms of outward oriented industries, supporting industries and economic infrastructure. A mission statement was presented with the goal of making North Dakota the destination of choice for a global population wishing to have an authentic, customized, quality experience in the wide-open spaces of the American west. "There are several different aspects of tourism," said TAP Chairman Bill Shaloob. "What we are trying to accomplish is one legislative voice. This is about big ideas and we are moving the industry forward as a whole. We want to try to attract more visitors to North Dakota, and one of the biggest things we have done here locally is an expansion of the golf programs. We have Eagle Ridge, the Links, and also the Municipal Golf Course, and as far as facilities in Williston we have had a lot of success and a very extensive track record. We are continually finding new ways to advance the industry."

He added that the Tourism Congress is a grassroots effort to identify the challenges and growth opportunities of the state's tourism industry. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a 17 percent growth in North Dakota's visitor spending between 2001 and 2004, and Shaloob said that the industry needs to work collaboratively to ensure that this growth continues.

North Dakota Director of Tourism Sara Otte Coleman shared statewide and regional tourism data with participants.

"As North Dakota's second largest industry, tourism accounts for $3.8 billion in visitor expenditures each year, according to 2006 North Dakota State University research," Coleman said. "Aside from tourism's significant economic impact, it's a huge image builder for our state. By attracting new visitors here, we're able to showcase North Dakota as a great place to live, work and play."

She added that the industry is very diverse and encompasses many different facets. "Every region of the state contributes to the success of the tourism industry," Otte Coleman said. "New research showed that in 2006, northwest North Dakota generated close to $100 million in visitor expenditures."

Coleman also talked about the future potential of increased marketing, urban living, improved hospitality, and stronger foreign visitation as a result of the weak U.S. dollar. She said that 68 percent of visitors come from out of state, and for every 493 visitors to the state, one new job is created.

"Visitors come, pay taxes, and continue to build our resources," she said. "Current research has also allowed us to go to the county and present facts to them for legislation in this area. We are the seventh ranking state in terms of tourism, and 3.7 percent of total visitation they spent $74.4 million. We are dealing with big numbers and a big impact and we are hoping to continue to see that grow."

Williston Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Amy Krueger was the local host for the conference, and was on hand to answer any questions from attendees. She said that Williams County is working to promote their historic sites, especially places like Fort Buford and the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, which memorializes the meeting of the two rivers where Lewis and Clark passed through on their way to the west.

"We are going to build upon what we already have," Krueger said. "We are building the golf attractions here and offering new golf packages, attracting motorcyclists, and letting people know what a jewel we have here in the state of North Dakota. Because we really have something special."

Local hosts will present the top initiative and champions from the regional meetings at the North Dakota Tourism Conference April 20-22 at the Seven Seas Hotel and Waterpark in Mandan. Attendees will have the opportunity to further identify and develop growth strategies and initiatives, and action plans will be refined. These initiatives will either become proposed legislation or reference information for interested individuals, groups or state agencies.