March 13, 2006

GRAND FORKS, ND - A group of local organizers for the 2008 Men's World Curling Championship are traveling to Regina, Saskatchewan to meet with local organizers of the Canadian Curling National Championship. The group will arrive on the evening of Monday, March 13th and return to Grand Forks the evening of Wednesday, March 15th. The group will be meeting with tournament organizers, national committee members, local hotel managers, and city officials for the purpose of learning what the local organizing committee in Regina did to prepare for this major event.

In March 2005, Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Grand Forks Curling Club were awarded the bid to host the 2008 Men's World Curling Championship. The tournament will be held at Ralph Engelstad Arena on April 5-13, 2008. This nine day event will bring in the top curling teams from twelve nations to participate in this internationally televised tournament.

Attending organizers include:

Dan Schenkein - President/CEO, The Chamber
Jim Satrom - Grand Forks Curling Club
Matt Bydal - Sales Manager, Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau
Don Barcome Jr. - Forks Curling Events, Inc.
Jody Hodgson, General Manager , Ralph Engelstad Arena
Mickey Munson, Account Manager, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Lance Johnson, Director of Event Services, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Charlie Muus, Director of Maintenance and Facility Services, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Sommer Lockhart, Marketing Manager, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Mike Bergeron, Director of Finance and Business Operations, Ralph Engelstad Arena