Marketplace
Originally designed
to be a one-time event in 1989, Marketplace has become an annual showcase
for ideas that promote rural economic diversification in North Dakota.
Marketplace’s organizing sponsors are U.S. Senator Kent Conrad and the
state’s Commissioner of Agriculture. The event is described by its
organizers as “a supermarket of ideas, information, and resources for rural
economic development” (Marketplace web site). Marketplace actively
promotes cooperative development, including a ‘Co-op Night’ as part of
the activities. The program involves two other primary features:
an annual 'Marketplace Day' and a printed North Dakota Economic Development
Resource Directory. Marketplace 2000 was scheduled to be held January
6, 2000 in Bismarck.
Marketplace Day
involves “idea booths” set up by people who have developed their ideas
into businesses, many of which are on-farm operations. The booths
are set up so that these entrepreneurs can share their business experience
with others attending the event. Workshops and seminars are also
conducted. A wide range of speakers, including presenters from private
businesses, government, universities, and farmers who are running their
own businesses, conduct these sessions. Past presenters have included
Ken Throlson, the president of North American Bison Cooperative (Vogel).
Workshop topics include items such as business and farm management, food
processing, and high value crops. In 1998, over 200 booths were set
up and 100 workshops were held at Marketplace.
The Resource Directory
is a printed booklet of over 100 pages that includes a list of economic
development ideas and programs that are available to assist North Dakota’s
residents. Included in the Directory is a section on “How to Catch
‘Co-op Fever’”.
The first Marketplace
held in 1989 was organized by Sarah Vogel, the state’s Commissioner of
Agriculture at the time, and U.S. Senator Kent Conrad. That first
event attracted about 700 participants, and by the second year attendance
had doubled. Since 1992 the event has attracted an average of 4,500
people each year. The event receives assistance from more than 200 businesses
and other organizations. Major financial support is also received
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service
(Marketplace web site).
References
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