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eFYI - Featuring Your Industry - March 2010
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DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Dear Industry Partners,
Spring is here, which means we’re one step closer to our peak season!
To kick things off, we will celebrate See South Dakota Week this year from May 8-16. Tourism's Media & Public Relations team and I will travel across South Dakota, speaking to various media about the importance of tourism in South Dakota and encouraging South Dakotans to explore their own backyard again this year.
In addition, there are several cities planning hospitality trainings during See South Dakota Week to get staff geared up for peak season. As you know, hospitality is at the core of a successful visitor industry and something South Dakota is known for. I encourage each of you to take part in one of the trainings, or sign up for our online customer service training on www.SDVisit.com.
Shortly after See South Dakota Week, our Interstate Information Centers open for the season on May 22. When you have a few minutes, stop at one of centers and get to know the staff. They are useful resources for travelers.
Sincerely,
Melissa Bump
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Spring Hospitality Training
Several communities across South Dakota are hosting spring hospitality training sessions. Some of the sessions are scheduled for April and June, but most of them take place in May. More information, including an alphabetical listing by community, will be available on www.SDVisit.com. If you know of other training taking place, please email details to Eileen Bertsch.
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Visitor and Industry
Relations
For more information, contact
Eileen Bertsch
at
Eileen.Bertsch@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301 |
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“Taking Advantage of Current Tourism Trends”
Black Hills State University is hosting a tourism seminar on April 8 from 9-11 a.m. Cost is $39 and includes a continental breakfast. The speaker is Michael Shann, BHSU alumnus and executive with 20 years of experience with Walt Disney Attractions and Disneyland International. Dr. Daniel Spencer will also demonstrate the updated South Dakota Travel Monitoring System. To register, contact Cheryl Templeton. |
BHSU Office of
Educational Outreach
For more information, contact
Cheryl Templeton
at
Cheryl.Templeton@bhsu.edu
or
605-642-6321
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Recent Travel Indicators
Recent travel indicators for South Dakota have been updated for 2009. Visitation was down at all national parks in January while web traffic was up. 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
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Media Blitzes
The Media & Public Relations (MPR) team traveled to Denver, March 9-12, to meet with various media, ranging from freelance writers to newspaper and magazine outlets. The team met with each writer to discuss story ideas and press trip opportunities in South Dakota. Members of the MPR team will travel to Milwaukee in April for the same purpose.
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Media and Public Relations
For more information, contact
Wanda Goodman
at
Wanda.Goodman@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301
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Sign up now for Focus Group Findings Webinar
Earlier this year, Lawrence & Schiller and the Office of Tourism conducted focus groups in Des Moines and the Quad Cities, Iowa, and Schaumburg, Illinois. Join the online webinar on Monday, March 29, 12-1 p.m. (CDT), to discuss the focus group findings and learn how your business can use what we learned. Click here for registration information. |
Research and E-Commerce
For more information, contact
Ashley Worth
at
Ashley.Worth@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301
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Online Customer Service Training
"Serving Great Faces in Great Places," the online training program created by the Office of Tourism and Black Hills State University, continues to be available on www.SDVisit.com. As you prepare for the peak season, it is a great time to make sure you and your employees have had a chance to complete this free training opportunity. |
Visitor and Industry
Relations
For more information, contact
Eileen Bertsch
at
Eileen.Bertsch@state.sd.us
or
605-773-3301 |
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Important Reminders
Peak 2010 Vacation Packages - FREE LISTING
It’s never too early to start thinking about your peak 2010 vacation packages. Package listings on www.TravelSD.com are now free of charge, 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
South Dakota Outdoor Expo, Huron – June 11-12
Ipswich Trail Days, Ipswich – June 11-13
River City Racin’, Chamberlain/Oacoma – June 19-20
2010 GOED Conference
The 2010 Governor's Office of Economic Development's annual conference is scheduled for April 20-21 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls. For more information, see www.sdreadytopartner.com.
2010 History Conference
This year's South Dakota State Historical Society's annual conference will be held April 30-May 1 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre. For more information, see www.history.sd.gov.
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What Our Visitors Are Saying...
A response to the February issue of Travelsmart:
"We visited last summer. It was a wonderful experience. My last visit to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse had been over 30 years ago. What a difference!
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- mpixton |
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South Dakota Office of Tourism
Monthly Progress Report
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