2010-11 South Dakota Vacation Guide
The state's number one promotional piece is the South Dakota Vacation Guide and the 2010-11 guide is now available. The Office of Tourism has again partnered with the four regional associations to produce a comprehensive and attractive guide. To request a supply of guides, contact your regional association.

www.blackhillsbadlands.com           www.sdglaciallakes.com

www.sdgreatlakes.org        www.southeastsouthdakota.com

Sign up now for Rocky Mountain International Roundup
Meet face-to-face with targeted tour operators from Europe who specifically want to do business in South Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The RMI Roundup takes place April 14-16 in Great Falls, Montana. Registration information is available at www.rockymtnintl.com/roundup.htm.

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

Great Getaways Registration
Registration letters for the peak season Great Getaways cooperative program have been mailed out. Registrations are due February 22. States being targeted with this season’s program include Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. The program is limited to the first 65 partners (first-come, first-served). Registration forms can also be found on www.SDVisit.com and payment is available online (Visa or MasterCard) or by check.

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

Spring Hospitality Training Co-op
The Office of Tourism is again offering a co-op opportunity of matching funds for CVBs, chambers of commerce, economic development offices and others to bring customer service training speakers into their communities in preparation for peak season. Greater consideration will be given to communities and organizations that coordinate their efforts and pool their resources into a larger training event. The application deadline is February 26. Information and a printable application form can be found at www.SDVisit.com. Notifications will be made by mid-March.

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

Tour Operator Contacts Available
Send us your email and contact information if you would like to receive tour operator leads from trade shows. If you did not receive the leads from Showcase Italy and the German Mission sent last week, please contact Maureen with your information. Bank Travel leads will be sent next month.

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

Million Dollar Challenge
New applications are now being accepted for the Million Dollar Challenge co-op marketing program. The next due date is March 4. Guidelines and application forms can be found at www.SDVisit.com.

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

Information Center Poster Program
The letter and form for the 2010 Interstate Information Center Poster Program will be mailed March 1. Enrollment into this program is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is complete when we receive your payment and completed form. Program registration and payment will also be available on www.SDVisit.com.

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

Recent Travel Indicators
Recent travel indicators for South Dakota have been updated for 2009. Both state and national parks saw increases in visitation, while hotel occupancy was slightly down. For further information, please visit this Travel Indicators page on www.SDVisit.com.

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

Office of Tourism Staff Update
Send a warm welcome to Katlyn Richter, the newest member of the Office of Tourism’s Media & Public Relations team. From Marshall, MN, Katlyn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in marketing. Katlyn's duties include social media coordination and monitoring, public relations strategy and execution, press release writing, and serving as a resource for South Dakota's film industry.

Media and Public Relations
For more information, contact
Wanda Goodman
at
Wanda.Goodman@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301

Important Reminders
Multi-Media Press Release Co-op
Partner applications for the 2010 Multi-Media Press Release Co-op are being accepted until February 26. For more information, contact Wanda Goodman at wanda.goodman@state.sd.us.

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 www.TravelSD.com are free, so send us your packages as soon as they’re developed. 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
Huron Outdoor Expo, Huron – June 11-12
Ipswich Trail Days, Ipswich – June 11-13
River City Racin’, Chamberlain/Oacoma – June 19-20

What Our Visitors Are Saying...
Feedback about Wylie Park Campground in Aberdeen:

"This is our 32nd day of camping in Western USA and Canada and this park is the nicest, prettiest, cleanest one yet!  Wish we could stay longer. We've never seen a 2:00 [p.m.] check-out. Your park and story land is a wonderful experience. What a concept - it shows you care for families and visitors, not just for children. We're 68 and 70 and loved story land and the train ride. "

- BH, Lincolnton, North Carolina