About Us

The beginnings of the modern North Dakota Hospitality Association were formed in 1955 when a group of bar owners founded the North Dakota Beverage Association.  The creation of a Motel Association followed in 1959 and then a loosely organized Restaurant Association in 1961.  The restaurant group then successfully formed a Food & Lodging Association in 1964.  The various groups were run by volunteers, part time and short term employees until 1968 when the Beverage Dealers and the Food & Lodging Association began working together under the same management.  In 1974 the Food & Lodging Association merged with the Motel Association to form the North Dakota Hospitality Association. 

The membership in the organization began to grow rapidly at that point.  The addition of membership coordinator in 1980 further boosted membership until it reached 495 members in 1983. 

The two boards of directors boasted a combined 55 Board Members at this time (40 Beverage & 15 Hospitality).  The two associations merged in 1993 to create today's North Dakota Hospitality Association representing all food, lodging & beverage industries.