6th Annual North Dakota Nature and Rural Tourism Conference
January 15, 2008 * Grand Forks, ND

9:00 am - Welcome
Maria Effertz Hanson, North Dakota Nature and Rural Tourism Association
Overview of the North Dakota Nature and Rural Tourism and future potential developments
                       
Master of Ceremonies: Kathleen Tweeten
Tweeten is the director of the NDSU Extension Service’s Center for Community Vitality and an Extension specialist in community economic development in the NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics.

9:15 am - Keynote Speaker, Carol Patterson
                “Surviving (and thriving) in the Unpredictable World of Tourism"
Carol Patterson is well known as a nature and ecotourism industry consultant, speaker, and author. Her company, Kalahari Management Inc., provides assistance in assessments, strategic planning, feasibility studies and capacity building for the tourism industry. It publishes a quarterly newsletter EcoTourism Management that furnishes practical information on tourism issues and best practices. Carol is also the author of the book, The Business of Ecotourism which offers business guidance for individuals, companies and organizations involved in the nature tourism industry, and The Business of Ecotourism – Teacher’s Edition for people involved in teaching ecotourism concepts. She is also a coauthor of The Business of EcoTourism Development and Management, a book on ecotourism business planning used by The Nature Conservancy in their tourism projects in Latin America. Carol also co wrote Saving Paradise: The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge with Albert Teo, founder of Borneo EcoTours, a book detailing the challenges in creating and operating a viable ecolodge.

10:45 am - Break

11:00 am - “Marketing with the best”
Marketing tips and tools regarding nature tourism to local and nationwide audiences.
Connie Krapp – Director of Marketing and Member Service Northern Plains Electric and Co-Owner The Bison Ranch at Coteau Ridge

11:45 am - Break for lunch

1:00 pm - “Policy Opportunities for Rural Tourism”
A perspective of nature and rural tourism from a historical and future view.
John Hanson, Owner, Logging Camp Ranch

1:45 pm - “Agri Tourism Opportunities”
How grapes and wine can attract visitors and dollars to your venue.
Greg Kempel, Maple River Winery

2:30 pm - “Doing business with North Dakota Tourism”
A conversation with ND Tourism officials on how to do business better
North Dakota Tourism Marketing Director – Heather LeMoine
North Dakota Tourism Public Relations Director – Kim Schmidt
North Dakota Cultural and Heritage and Learning Based Vacations Director - Annette Schilling

3:15 pm - Liability insurance solutions
After two years of research and work, real solutions are possible for the North Dakota Nature and Rural Tourism industry for liability insurance coverage and reduced rates.  Join the association leaders and insurance industry as we discuss results of an insurance survey and future coverage.

4:00  pm - Networking and wine tasting with Maple River Winery
                  and North Dakota Nature and Rural Tourism Association meeting

ND Rural Electric Cooperatives - Rural Development
Garrison Diversion Conservancy District
Marketplace of Ideas
Great River Energy
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Maple River Winery

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