eFYI for May 2008 South Dakota Office of Tourism

eFYI - Featuring Your Industry - May 2008

2008 Shoulder Season Great Getaways Program
The South Dakota Office of Tourism is now accepting registrations for the 2008 Shoulder Season Great Getaways program which is a co-op between the Office of Tourism and industry partners from across the state. Tourism will produce one 16-page, full color, magazine-style marketing piece inserted in newspapers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming for a circulation of 516,000, beginning the week of September 7. Registration forms were mailed out the week of June 9, 2008. Participation is limited to the first thirty-five partners, based upon receipt of payment and materials. The deadline to have your registration back to the Office of Tourism is June 23, 2008.

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

Online Customer Service Training Now LIVE!
The online customer service training successfully went live on May 29. The training may be accessed via www.SDVisit.com. All businesses interested in hospitality and customer service are welcome to register online and encourage their employees to complete the training.

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

Agritourism Conference
The 2008 South Dakota Agritourism Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, at Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, SD. The one-day conference will feature Jane Eckert of Eckert Agrimarketing, a nationally recognized leader in the Agritourism industry. The session will also include valuable information for those who are already in the Agritourism industry and individuals who are looking to start an Agritourism business. Throughout the day, participants will be able to co-op with other partners in the industry, as well as network with their local Region Representatives, and members of the South Dakota Office of Tourism team.

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

South Dakota Film Production Guide Available
The new South Dakota Film Production Guide is now available. The guide contains information regarding film incentives, South Dakota's landscape, film permits, laws, and other general information about filming in South Dakota. The guides are available by calling the South Dakota Office of Tourism.

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

SD in the National News!
South Dakota has been in national news as of late. The Today Show broadcast live at Crazy Horse Memorial on May 19, as Ann Curry repelled down the memorial's arm. Also on the Today Show, the editor of Budget Travel magazine applauded the affordability of camping in the Black Hills, and encouraged listeners to visit state parks this summer.

Additionally, Badlands National Park was named one of the seven wonders of America. The country saw the park's beauty on Good Morning America on May 9 through several videos and photos both online and in the morning broadcast.

Media and Public Relations
For more information contact
Wanda Goodman
at
Wanda.Goodman@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