Travel officials attend several events

A delegation of North Dakota travel and tourism officials represented the state at key industry events that connect leading international and national tour operators with representatives from travel destinations. One event was a first-time appearance for North Dakota at an international-focused group travel show. Overall, North Dakota travel and tourism representatives garnered a combined total of more than 500 appointments at these events.

North American Journey Summit focused on the international markets of Germany, China and Japan. This was the first time North Dakota was represented in this summit with the cooperative effort of South Dakota. Deanne Felchle with North Dakota Tourism met with 23 international delegates.

American Bus Association held in Virginia Beach, Va., featured more than 100,000 appointments between tour operators and those marketing destinations, attractions and accommodations. North Dakota representatives took part in scheduled appointments, during which they encouraged tour operators to route their groups through North Dakota.

National Tour Association, held in Kansas City, Mo., features a membership of more than 600 tour operators and more than 2,300 suppliers and associates that include the destination marketing organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, attractions, accommodations and international associations. Due to a new programming format, grouping tour suppliers and destination marketing organizations by region, North Dakota secured additional appointments for the convention.

Foreman Travel Show, held in Sioux Falls, S.D., matched up 65 scheduled travel planners from Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas and South Dakota with travel destinations. The event also included one day open to the general public to distribute materials and create awareness of North Dakota's attractions.

Fourteen individuals, representing a variety of North Dakota's tourism offerings, attended all or a combination of the shows.

Odney expanding with new office

Odney Advertising is opening a branch office in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in order to serve an expanding client base in that area. Odney partner and corporate creative director Mike Bruner will be moving to Coeur d'Alene to manage the new office.

Odney Advertising president Patrick Finken said the firm already has clients in Coeur d'Alene; the office is scheduled to open by Aug. 1.

Benco Equipment moves

Benco Equipment Division of Hedahls Inc. announced a new store location for its Bismarck facility. The new location is at 4600 Rifle Range Drive across from Mariner Construction in the Apple Creek Industrial Park southeast of the North Dakota State Penitentiary. Benco has four locations in the Upper Midwest.

The new building sits on five acres and has a large paved area to facilitate loading and unloading of trucks and containers of equipment handled by Benco. It also has room for inventory storages, as well as the repair and service areas to support customer needs. The new facility includes a showroom area to display new equipment.