Convention & Visitors Bureau

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1. Powers and Duties

Subject to the restrictions of this article, the bureau shall have the power to adopt such policies, procedures, rules and/or regulations as it may determine to be reasonably necessary and/or convenient to promote and market meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, artistic productions, tourism and leisure travel in the Greater Grand Forks area.
  1. To market, promote, advertise, sponsor, and fund events that provide for the promotion of meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, artistic productions, tourism and leisure travel in the Greater Grand Forks area.

  2. To coordinate the efforts of public, private and volunteer agencies involved with the promotion and marketing of meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, artistic productions, tourism and leisure travel in the Greater Grand Forks area.

  3. To purchase and sell supplies, goods, equipment as may be reasonably necessary and/or convenient.

  4. To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the bureau's authority. However, no contract or other instrument shall be entered into by the bureau that exceeds any appropriation or authorization within the annual budget approved by the city council.

  5. To hire and retain personnel and to prescribe their qualifications and fix their compensation; provided however, said personnel shall not be subject to civil service or merit system laws or other laws, ordinances and/or regulations pertaining to the status of municipal employees.

  6. To establish committees, determine committee membership, and delegate powers to such committees, employees, and staff as the bureau sees fit.

  7. To establish and adopt bylaws, policies, procedures, rules and/or regulations as it may determine to be reasonably necessary and/or convenient to the exercise of bureau powers and the implementation of its programs and activities provided that the adoption thereof shall not be in conflict with any city ordinance, policy, procedure, or resolution.

  8. To allocate, spend, grant, or commit funds received by the bureau, including but not limited to, municipal sales tax or other funds appropriated or allocated to the bureau by the city council and hotel-motel tax under Chapter XXII or such other funds or revenues received by the bureau.

  9. To exercise other such powers as delegated by the city council

2. Membership

The powers and responsibilities of the bureau shall be vested in its nine (9) members who shall be selected as follows: One (1) member shall be selected by the mayor of the City of East Grand Forks; one (1) member shall be selected by the management company of Engelstad Arena; one (1) member shall be selected by the Grand Forks park district commission; one (1) member shall be selected by the president of the University of North Dakota; one (1) member shall be appointed by the chair of the Events Center commission; two (2) members shall be selected by the mayor of the City of Grand Forks, and two (2) members shall be selected by the hotel/motel association.

3. Terms

Three (3) years.

4. Members

  • Shawn Clapp, City of Grand Forks Mayor Appointment
  • Monica Evavold, City of East Grand Forks
  • Duane Hafner, Alerus Center Commission
  • Jonathan Hanson, Hotel/Motel Association-President
  • Jody Hodgson, Ralph Engelstad Arena
  • John Janzen, Hotel/Motel Association-1st Vice President
  • Monica Musich, City of Grand Forks Mayor Appointment
  • Julie Rygg, Executive Director/Secretary
  • Cam Tweeten, Grand Forks Park District
  • Fred Wittmann, University of North Dakota

Staff

Julie Rygg, Secretary/Executive Director  Email
Greater Grand Forks CVB - 746-0444

Grand Forks Event Center Commission

AGENDA

Grand Forks Events Center Commission

Wednesday December 17, 2025 |12:00 PM

Meeting Room 12

 

Jarrod Spoor

Russell Kraft

Greg Rixen

Scott Foyt

Matt Fischer

Bill Chaves

Irene Halbritter

Ken Vein

Julie Rygg

 

1) Call to Order

2) Roll Call

3) Consent Agenda

a. Approval of November 19, 2025, meeting minutes

4) November Financials

5) Management Reports

a. Executive Report

b. Finance

c. Operations

d. Food and Beverage

e. Partnerships

f. Marketing

g. Conference Sales

h. Event Management

6) Commission Officer Election

7) Scoreboard Bid Discussion

8) Committee Reports

Finance & Renovation –2025 Capital Review

Visit Greater Grand Forks

UND

9) Other

10) Adjournment

 

NOTE: Members of the Alerus Center Commission may participate in the Committee meeting and any possible executive session which may constitute a quorum of the Commission as well as the Committee.


Alerus Center Mission Statement

The mission of the Alerus Center is to provide premier entertainment and events that stimulate economic impact and improve the quality of life for Grand Forks area citizens.

 Upcoming Meeting Dates

 2026 Meeting dates will be announced in December!

 

 Alerus Center Commission

 

Events Center Commission (3 year terms)

 

  • Jarrod Spoor Chair, Public at Large Representative Expiration - December 30, 2027
  • Russell Kraft –Public at Large Representative Expiration – June 30, 2027
  • Greg Rixen – Vice-Chair, Public at Large Representative Expiration – July 31, 2028
  • Matt Fischer - Public at Large Representative Expiration – December 31, 2026
  • Scott Foyt – Secretary, Public at Large Representative Expiration – December 31, 2026
  • Irene Halbritter - Public at Large Representative Expiration – March 31, 2027
  • Ken Vein - City Council Representative Expiration - August 1, 2025
  • Bill Chaves (non-voting) - UND Representative
  • Julie Rygg (non-voting) - VGGF Representative

Alerus Center Management

 (701) 792-1200

Anna Rosburg                                      General Manager

Derek Hoffert                                     Asst. General Manager & Director of Partnerships

Shelby Looker                                     Director of Conference Sales & Marketing

Allen Hess                                              Director of Food & Beverage

Breanne Sypherd                              Director of Events

Dominick Washington                   Director of Operations

Andrea Wegener                                Director of Finance

Matthew Ternus                                 Director of Marketing

 

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