By Sue Arko

Delegates from around the United States and Canada converged in Medora ND last week to take part in the 4th Annual Accent West Tourism Conference.  Produced by Mid-Atlantic Receptive Services (MARS) and hosted by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, the conference was designed to better acquaint tour operators with destinations, hotels, attractions, and restaurants in the region.  Speakers, brainstorming, itinerary planning, networking activities, a trade show and local area touring were among the activities offered to delegates.

Delegates got to know and learn from each other while discovering the diversity of attractions, breathtaking scenery,  and historical treasures in North Dakota and the surrounding areas.   Relationship building and the sharing of best practices are what make the Accent brand so popular.

Accent West Group Discussion

Tour operators and suppliers had a grand time at the Early-Bird Reception, sponsored by Visit Watford City.  Theodore Roosevelt showed up to welcome the group.  The next day began with a breakfast sponsored by Visit Joplin, MO followed by a keynote address discussing Navigating the National Parks, presented by Shawn Horman from Southwest Adventure Tours.  Then delegates broke into small groups to discuss challenges, successes, and partnerships within their segment of the industry (hotels, attractions, DMO’s, operators).  Their results were communicated and discussed by the entire group. Tour operators evaluated profile forms and came up with creative solutions on how to “Save My Group”.   Lunch followed, sponsored by the Wyoming Mavericks (Wyoming Office of Tourism, Wind River Visitors Council, Visit Cheyenne, Johnson Couty Tourism Association, and the National Museum of Military Vehicles).

In the afternoon, the marketplace matched operators with all the different suppliers for 5-minute meetings.  A fantastic evening followed, beginning with a hard-hat tour of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (scheduled to open on July 4), followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Medora Musical and the highly popular Pitchfork Fondue Steak Dinner. “Teddy” made an encore appearance as well.

The next day, Accent Supports Local breakfast featured six of North Dakota’s small local businesses and non-profits. Accent’s most popular session, Itinerary Planning followed.  Operators took what they learned at the trade show, brainstormed with suppliers, and produced actual itineraries. All six of the itineraries were then presented to the group.

“Accent West was a fantastic opportunity to work closely with planners and other travel suppliers to create collaborations that would not have existed otherwise,” stated Kerstin Landwer, Director of Sales at Visit Joplin MO.  “I am a firm believer that a rising tide floats all boats. I made some great new contacts with other destinations, and we are exploring how we can work together. The ROI on this show was the best I ever had from a marketplace. I gained two new tour planners who are working on itineraries with me and rekindled the relationship with a previous provider. Plus, it was a lot of fun!”

Prior to the conference, North Dakota Tourism spearheaded a magnificent fam tour where operators explored an array of attractions throughout Western North Dakota and enjoyed the hospitality of numerous North Dakota partners.  The FAM began with a site inspection and lunch at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Bismarck. The Bismarck-Mandan CVB showcased Blackleg Ranch and Brewery where the group was greeted by one of the 4th generation owners.  They proceeded to tour the ranch and facilities, pet the bison named Babe, and enjoy a tasting of the many beers brewed on property. The group continued to the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum for a tour of the four galleries, a hosted social hour, and delicious dinner.

The next day, the group departed for Minot. Enroute stops were made at Fort Mandan State Historic Site, where Lewis and Clark stayed in 1804-1805, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.  The bus continued to the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site which preserves the remnants of Hidatsa Villages that thrived for over 11,000 years.  A walking taco lunch and trolley tour were provided by the Garrison CVB before arriving in Minot.  After checking into the hotel, the group participated in United Ways “Backpack Buddies” service project.  Visit Minot hosted a fabulous progressive dinner, beginning with appetizers at Atypical Brewery.  The main course followed at Joe’s Italian Rooftop Restaurant and the evening concluded with desserts and a nightcap at Minot’s premier wine destination, Off the Vine.

The following day the group toured the Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot before departing for the MHA Nation, made up of three distinct tribal people – The Mandan people, the Hidatsa people and the Arikara people.   A tour of the Earth Lodge Village preceded a traditional Native American lunch and performance.  After lunch the group departed for an afternoon of sightseeing in Theodore Roosevelt National Park before arriving in Medora for the conference.

Save the dates for future Accent Travel Network Conferences:

  • 8th Annual Accent East – November 9-11, 2026  – South Bend IN
    • Pre-FAM – November 7-9, 2026
  • 5th Annual Accent West – April 21-23, 2027 – Joplin MO
    • Pre-FAM – April 19-21, 2027
  • 9th Annual Accent East – October 15-17, 2027 – Waterloo Region, Ontario Canada
    • Pre-FAM – October 13-15, 2027
  • 6th Annual Accent West – Spring 2028 (exact dates TBA) DuBois WY
  • 10th Annual Accent East – November 1 – November 3, 2028 – Atlantic City NJ
    • Pre-FAM – October 30 – November 1, 2028

Registration information is available online at www.accenttravelnetwork.com  For more information, contact Sue Arko at sue@takeafuntrip.com  or 602-999-5749.