2000 Ben Black Elk Award
Presented to
The Ben Black Elk Award is presented annually to an individual whose devotion and passion greatly influences South Dakota’s visitor industry. Dave Sweet has been involved with the visitor industry for 34 years and has no plans for slowing the pace. A Minnesota native, Sweet attained degrees in hotel and restaurant management, and business and marketing, while at college. From there, he raced right into the visitor industry and attained positions with companies like Holiday Inn, Sheraton and Preferred Hotels. He also gained experience by serving as director of operations for a national hotel management company. Hotel and lodging opportunities intrigued him, and he was hired by a group of investors to manage two hotel properties in 1975. That move brought him to South Dakota. Today, his love for South Dakota is hard to hide, and it’s evident in his devotion to the growth of the company, now known as the Ramkota Companies. Besides being an entrepreneur in lodging, Sweet also offered his vision and development strategies to South Dakota. He was appointed to the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board and assisted in developing a master plan for future tourism strategies. He served on the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board. He also offered his time to the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and is currently holding a position on the South Dakota Recreation Trails Advisory Board. His vision and leadership have led to unequaled Missouri River development and recreational opportunities. Sweet’s efforts will undoubtedly enhance visitors’ experiences as they travel South Dakota’s Lewis and Clark Trail during the upcoming years. But even after all this planning, developing and marketing, Sweet still finds time to cherish his home state of South Dakota. More often than not, he can be found chasing ringnecks in the Missouri River breaks, jigging for walleye on Lake Francis Case, or riding horseback at Custer State Park. And what’s become of the Ramkota Companies since he started managing it in 1975? Today, he’s leading that organization which has grown to include three affiliate companies and one restaurant company partnership. The Ramkota Companies manages 48 hotel properties and 8 restaurants in 12 states, with 4,200 employees. Twenty-five percent of those properties exist in South Dakota. | ||
