Shaping Southwest ND’s Tourism Strategy
Southwest North Dakota is a region defined by sweeping horizons, wide open wonders, historical hotspots, rugged Badlands, and a heritage that once helped shape a president. It also finds itself at a pivotal moment with the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening in the summer of 2026. As communities across North Dakota prepare for the influx of travelers, the region needed a robust tourism strategy to capitalize on this historic milestone and share their wide-open wonder with new travelers. The Roosevelt Custer Regional Council had a vision, and the AE2S Communications team had the tools to bring the project to the finish line.
Position Communities for Success
Developing the comprehensive strategic plan first required a pulse check of the current view of tourism in the region and listening sessions with members of the community to determine the next steps. Utilizing data received through surveys, stakeholder engagement meetings, and an asset inventory audit, AE2S established key themes, goals, and measurable outcomes to work towards. The resulting plan outlined actionable strategies for funding, regional marketing, downtown revitalization, visitor readiness, enhanced recreation, and year-round attractions complete with detailed timelines, tactics, and evaluation metrics. This project showcases AE2S Communications’ ability to navigate complex regional initiatives and build collaboration between diverse partners to produce strategic, easily implemented plans that strengthen identity and position communities for success.
Key Project Elements
- Regional Visioning
- Community Engagement
- Stakeholder Outreach
- Local Asset Mapping
- Audience Profiles
- Practical Tactics
- Tourism Readiness
- Scalable Planning
- Community Alignment
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