Tourism Conference Registration Changes
Registration and payment options have changed for this year’s conference. Please review the following so you are clear on what changes have been made:

• Student rate is available at $75 for the full conference program.
• Early-bird full conference registration (postmarked by Jan. 6, 2010) is $150.
• Late full conference registration is $200.
• On-site full conference registration will only be accepted on Tuesday or Wednesday, Jan. 19 or 20. The cost is $250 and will be due upon registration. We will no longer invoice conference fees for those registering on-site.
• Pre-registrations not accompanied with payment will incur the on-site registration fee of $250.
• Pre-registration for Wednesday-only sessions and evening reception is $100. Payment must accompany your registration form, and partial registration is not available on-site.
• Pre-registration for Thursday-only sessions and meal functions is $100. Payment must accompany your registration form, and partial registration is not available on-site.

Visitor and Industry Relations
For more information, contact
Nicole Gall
at
Nicole.Gall@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301

Bring tour buses to your door!
Mark your calendars! Chambers, CVBs and all businesses interested in the group tour market – the Office of Tourism is ready to begin updating the biennial Group Tour Planning Guide for 2011-2012. Watch your mailboxes as sign-up forms will be mailed to you in late December.

Trade Sales and Marketing
For more information, contact
Vicky Engelhaupt
at
Vicky.Engelhaupt@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301

2009 Intercept Study
The 2009 Intercept Study is complete. Tourism distributed 6,500 surveys at the 13 Interstate Information Centers over 10 days, with July 20 being the final day. More than 1,700 completed surveys were returned. While many of the findings were similar to previous years, we did see the average spending per day decrease by $26.31. Another notable mention is that 38% of our target audience is using WiFi during their vacation. View the report online to read more.

Research and E-Commerce
For more information, contact
Ashley Worth
at
Ashley.Worth@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301

Peak 2010 Vacation Packages
It’s never too early to start thinking about your Peak 2010 Vacation Packages! Starting in January, 2010, package listings on TravelSD.com are free, so send us your packages as soon as they’re developed.

Visitor and Industry Relations
For more information, contact
Brad Lemmel
at
Bradley.Lemmel@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301

Rooster Rush Cacklin` Community Award
If your community participated in the Rooster Rush promotion, don’t forget to apply for the Rooster Rush Cacklin’ Community Award. One community will be chosen as being the most involved and showing the most enthusiasm for the Rooster Rush campaign. The award will be presented during the Thursday night award banquet during the 2010 Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Download an application form and return it by January 4. Contact Nicole Gall at nicole.gall@state.sd.us or 605-773-3301.

Important Reminders
2010 Great Service Star
Late Great Service Star applications will be accepted through January 2010; however, those businesses will not be considered for the George S. Mickelson Great Service Award. For more information, contact Eileen Bertsch at eileen.bertsch@state.sd.us.

2010 Calendar of Events
You may still submit your 2010 events to be included in the www.TravelSD.com Calendar of Events online; however, they are no longer eligible for inclusion in the 2010-2011 South Dakota Vacation Guide. For more information, contact Brad Lemmel at bradley.lemmel@state.sd.us.

2010 Great Events
Black Hills Fat Tire Festival, Rapid City – May 28-31, 2010
Huron Outdoor Expo, Huron – June 11-12, 2010
Ipswich Trail Days, Ipswich – June 11-13, 2010
River City Racin’, Chamberlain/Oacoma – TBD 2010

What Our Visitors Are Saying...
A response to the December issue of Travelsmart:

"Just a note to let you know that our recent trip to South Dakota in October was great. Our base for the time we were in the state was a few days in Lead, and several days in Rapid City. We expected to find snow and cooold weather, but when we arrived the temperature was 70 degrees and we had great weather for the time we were there. Your tour book and other materials sent to us proved valueable. We had no trouble finding our way around and hope if we return we will spend a longer time in the above mentioned areas."

- Angus & Carolyn, Dracut, Massachusetts