eFYI for February 2008 South Dakota Office of Tourism

eFYI - Featuring Your Industry - February 2008

Please take a moment to send this message on to other members of the Travel and Tourism Industry. Use the Send to a Friend link below, or email sdinfo@state.sd.us

2008 Great Events
Tourism's Great Events campaign is a marketing partnership to increase visitation at events across the state. Below are the Great Events selected for 2008. Access more details regarding this program at www.SDvisit.com.

Mickelson Trail Trek - Black Hills Region

Czech Days – Tabor, SD

Oahe Days Art Festival – Pierre, SD

Festival of Presidents – Rapid City, SD

Hill City Western Heritage Festival – Hill City, SD

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

Travel Professionals E-Newsletter
The Trade Sales & Marketing Team is excited to announce the newly updated Travel Professionals E-Newsletter. This tool is designed to assist travel agents, tour operators and meeting planners. It will include featured attractions, events, itineraries, travel tips, and information on what's new in South Dakota. The newsletter is available at www.TourSDakota.com.

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

Group Tour Planning Guide
The South Dakota Office of Tourism is developing the 2009-2010 Group Tour Planning Guide. Forms have been sent to partners participating in the 2007-2008 guide and to industry members across the state who are able to accommodate group tours. If you wish to participate in the guide, please visit www.SDVisit.com to download the appropriate forms.

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

Glacial Lakes Ice Fishing Fam Tour
Buddy Seiner will host five outdoor journalists in northeast South Dakota, February 25-27. This tour is a cooperative effort between the South Dakota Office of Tourism and the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region. Writers in this year’s tour include:

Dave Carlson – Northland Adventures TV, WI.
Gary Howey – Outdoorsman Adventures TV/Midwest Outdoors Magazine, NE.
Jim McDonnel – Freelance writer, IA.
Larry Myhre – Sioux City Journal, IA.
Larry Porter – Omaha World Herald, NE.

Media and Public Relations
For more information contact
Buddy Seiner
at
Buddy.Seiner@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

New Online Hospitality Training Program
Train-the-trainer series: One workshop in each of the four regions will take place in March and April. Training is being provided by staff from the College of Business and Technology at BHSU. Eileen Bertsch will work with the CVBs and Chambers to identify people who are interested in participating. The first module will launch May 15 and will be available free of charge. The training will be accessible through www.SDVisit.com. Certificates of completion will be issued by BHSU.

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

Spring Training
Several matching funds "grants" will be made available to Chambers/Visitors Bureaus across the state to provide front line training. Application forms are required. The goal will be to direct funding to at least one location in each of the four regions.

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

A Few Quick Reminders
Vacation Packages - As we enter into our 2008 Peak Marketing season, we would like to remind everyone to send us your vacation packages. You can access the request form online at www.SDvisit.com.

Million Dollar Challenge - The FY09 Million Dollar Challenge has been approved, with a few updated guidelines. Check out www.SDVisit.com for the updates and application forms.

Visitor and Industry Relations
For more information contact
Melissa Bump
at
Melissa.Bump@state.sd.us
or
(605) 773-3301

South Dakota Office of Tourism

www.TravelSD.com	Consumer Site
www.SDVisit.com	Travel and Tourism Industry Site
www.MediaSD.com	Press and Media Site
www.FilmSD.com	South Dakota Film Office Site
www.TourSDakota.com	Travel Professionals Site