September 6, 2002

Workshops Aimed At Rural Tourism Will Be Held Around the State

A series of one-day workshops will be held across North Dakota to teach how to develop income from tourism in rural communities. The workshops are aimed at rural community leaders, small business owners and farm operators.

Claude-Jean Harel, operator of Great Excursions, a Regina-based tour and consulting company specializing in the development and marketing of sustainable tourism experiences, will teach how to identify and promote tourism products and formulate proposals to get the attention of the public, media and potential investors.

The workshops will start with a check-in at 8 a.m. with the last workshop starting at 2:45 p.m. Throughout the day participants will work with other workshop members to gain a new understanding of the tourism potential of their operations and communities and also begin exploring ways to develop that potential.

The cost of the workshop is $30 per person with lunch included. Preregistration is required at least one week prior to the workshop. The dates for the workshop and contacts to preregister are:

• New Town Wednesday, Sept. 18, contact Chris Brostuen (701) 279-2667

• McClusky Friday, Sept. 20, contact Kent Alderin (701) 363-2242

• Bottineau Monday, Sept. 23, contact Dean Ihla (701) 228-3849

• Dickinson Wednesday, Sept. 25, contact Terri Thiel (800) 279-7391

• Edinburg Friday, Sept. 27, contact Paul Wellman (701) 352-0127

The workshops are sponsored by the North Dakota State University Extension Service in collaboration with federal, county and city economic development organizations and several private individuals.

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Source: Kent Alderin, (701) 363-2242, Sheridan@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Stephanie Renner, (701) 231-8371, srenner@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu