NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
January 13, 2000
A workshop designed for North Dakota farm and ranch families who are interested in starting a guiding service, bed and breakfast, working ranch or similar business will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at the Watford City Civic Center, located at 213 East Second St.
The workshop is being offered by the North Dakota State University Extension Service. The sponsors are West River Regional Tourism and McKenzie County Tourism.
"A similar workshop was held last year, and those participants have requested this special program with its focus on guiding services, working ranches, and rural bed and breakfast businesses," says Kathleen Tweeten, community economic development specialist with the NDSU Extension Service in Bismarck.
The day-long workshop will begin with a panel discussion featuring current recreational business owners who will share their experience-based knowledge on what works and what doesn't. There will also be a review of travel trends, including what vacationers to this region of the United States expect. For example, a 1998 study commissioned by the North Dakota Department of Tourism revealed that tourists spent $904.5 million in the state that year. Each year, the state averages about 2.9 million visitors.
"People are looking for novelty and change," says Tweeten. "They want to simplify their lives, and to do this, they're taking vacations that avoid the crowds and the rushing."
At the same time, tourism trends show that people enjoy getting exercise while on vacation. Many vacationers say they enjoy hiking or bicycling while others say they prefer to engage in new outdoor experiences. A majority of Americans spend money on wildlife-related activities, either via extended vacations or weekend outings.
Those who attend the workshops also will receive an overview of travel and pricing trends within the tourism industry and learn how to determine break-even pricing for their businesses. In addition, representatives from the North Dakota State Tax Department, possibly the Attorney General's Office and private industry will address issues such as liability, health regulations, licensing, tax considerations and insurance.
Another feature of the workshop will be a panel discussion focusing on what state resources are available to assist those starting a recreational business on their farm or ranch. Among the topics to be discussed are how to get help developing a business plan and how to research and apply for grants.
The early registration fee is $25 plus $10 for each additional person from the same business. The fee covers the workshop, handouts and lunch. For those who attended the 1999 workshop and already have the notebook, the registration fee is only $15. Walk-ins the day of the workshop will pay $35 for the first person and $10 for each additional person from the same business.
Registration forms are available from county offices of the NDSU Extension Service. Early registrations, including checks made payable to the NDSU Extension Service, are due by Wednesday, March 1. Mail registrations to Kathleen Tweeten, NDSU Extension Service, 4023 N. State St., Bismarck, ND 58501-0620.
For more information, contact Tweeten at (701) 328-5134, Randy Mehlhoff, NDSU area extension specialist/value-added in Williston, at (701) 774-4315, or Dale Naze, McKenzie County extension agent/livestock systems, at (701) 842-3451.
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Source: Kathleen Tweeten (701) 328-5134
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136