Monthly Reports: October 2006 -


	Monthly Reports October 2006 MEMORANDUM TO: Richard Benda DATE: November 7, 2006 FROM: Billie Jo Waara SUBJECT: Tourism’s October Monthly Status Report You may download and print the entire October Report in Adobe Acrobat (PDF). Contents: 2010 Initiative Governor's Conference on Tourism Rural Tourism Public Relations Trade Sales Group Tour/International Outdoors Film Office Information Centers Hospitality Inquiries Native American Tourism Photo/Video Travel Market Advertising Winter Campaign World Wide Web Logo Usage New Faces Job Position Listing Governor's Buffalo Roundup Governor's Invitational Pheasant Hunt Great Events 2006 and 2007 Tourism Office Funding 2010 INITIATIVE Please refer to www.2010Initiative.com for updates. Or, review Tourism`s October summary report to Secretary Benda. [ back to top ] 2007 GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM Mailed 365 letters to Made in South Dakota producers inviting them to enter the jury process to exhibit their products at the Tourism Conference, January 17-18. Continued working on details for the banquet staging, Tourism staff presentation, menus, sponsorships and booth applications, speaker contracts and handouts, and session details. [ back to top ] RURAL TOURISM Attended a meeting at the Journey Museum for the History of Tourism in the Black Hills exhibit planned for January. Continued working with Jacquie Fuks, Southeast South Dakota Tourism, on details of the Agri-Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference in Sioux Falls, November 8-9. Visited with Deb Garbers from Brookings about the Heritage Project on which they are working with another group of individuals and organizations. Finalized Tourism Assistance Directory, which will be sent to printer in November; cover redesign will reflect Tourism’s “new brand,” and inner pages will be updated. Directory will be distributed at the Tourism Conference. [ back to top ] PUBLIC RELATIONS Hosted 11 journalists from all around the country, including (but not limited to) journalists from New York, Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, and South Dakota at the Governor’s Buffalo Roundup, which included pre-roundup fam tours for them. Was a guest on “The Travel Queen” Radio show with Jane DeGrow. Handled media calls and fulfilled requests for information from the Verde Canyon Railroad, Midwest Living magazine, Rapid City Journal, Mitchell Daily Republic, Watertown Public Opinion, Salt Lake Tribune, and Going on Faith magazine. Interviewed by radio station out of Atlanta, GA, for a travel talk show on AM 1620 On the press web site – www.MediaSD.com, posted the spring/summer 2007 Great News newsletter (including a PDF) under the “What’s New?” section. Posted the fall 2006 Outdoor News stories. Continued posting the releases in the Uniquely South Dakota series – Buffalo, Butte, Campbell and Charles Mix Counties in October. Posted 11 visitor industry press releases. [ back to top ] TRADE SALES GROUP TOUR/INTERNATIONAL Proofed all sections of Group Tour Planning Guide and selected photos for appropriate pages/sections in the guide. Assembled and sent the October Travel Trade E-newsletter to 69 recipients. Fulfilled requests for information from AAA/CAA offices in Connecticut, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Researched companies and requested appointments for National Tour Association (NTA) Convention to be held in Salt Lake City in November. Sent letter and information to 22 South Dakota delegates who will be attending. Contacted the five South Dakota delegates who participated in 2006 TIA Pow Wow to see if they are planning to be part of the South Dakota delegation at TIA Pow Wow in 2007 in California. Compiled delegate information for postcard for American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace. Mailed 1,450 postcards to tour operators attending ABA in January to inform them of South Dakota delegation to ABA. Assisted Alidays, Italy, with information and arrangements for clients to experience Native American culture and tipi stay at Brewer Buffalo Ranch Tipi Camp. Followed up with Brewer Buffalo Tipi Camp and Alidays following clients stay. Compiled list of events and sent to Aftenposten, Norway's second largest daily National newspaper (circ. 280,000). The USA tabloid supplement will also be distributed at Norway's International Travel Faire "Reiseliv 2007" in January in Oslo. Attended the MLT World Vacation University, which included a trade show and conference sessions. Partner from Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Association will share their travel agent contacts as well. Hosted 21 travel agents on the Western Hospitality Travel Agent Familiarization Tour. Fifteen of the agents were from AAA (Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and California), three were from CAA (Canadian AAA), and two were from a small, private company in Florida. The fam tour started and ended in Sioux Falls. Cities and major attractions visited included Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Murdo, Badlands National Park, Wall, Rapid City, Spearfish Canyon, Lead / Deadwood, Hill City, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer and Custer State Park. Hosted 11 journalists to Buffalo Roundup and pre-fam including Savina Sciacqua, Italy; Dr. Margit Brinke & Dr. Peter Kraenzle, Germany; Ashley & Ann Gibbens, United Kingdom; Vera Spaans, The Netherlands; Lars & Anne-Marie Lindmark, Sweden; Timm Vladimir & Katrine Engberg, Denmark; and Qun Chen, China. Hosting also include pre- and/or post-fams. Attended Megafam in Boise, Idaho, sponsored by Rocky Mountain International, and met 34 international journalists. Provided video and gave a presentation on South Dakota. Drafted itinerary for Markus Grau, Beaver Tours AG, Switzerland. He is a tour operator who will be visiting South Dakota in late October and early November to plan new tours and expand existing tours to South Dakota and the region. Contacted South Dakota suppliers regarding the tour. Coordinated mailing of Great News to 3,457 international tour operators and journalists. [ back to top ] OUTDOORS Guest on the radio show, “Ramblin with Ramsey” with Ramsey Pollard; and KDAL Minneapolis with Rick Jorden. Worked on television shows with Ron Schara, Minnesota Bound, for a fishing show on Lake Sharp with Andre Adams as guide. Set up hosting for CNBC – “On the Money” with Mike Hegadus for November. Assisted Bob Jensen with Fishing the Midwest, who filmed on Roy Lake for a few shows. Hosted Jeff Frischkorn with “The News Herald” in Ohio – at Garretson, Mitchell, Winner, and Yankton. Helped with Gander Mountain trip for Field and Stream, Brother’s and Co. and Outdoor life employees and hosted members of the group on a grouse hunt with Mike Finley. Working on possible hostings for November/December for a buffalo hunt and several pheasant hunts. [ back to top ] FILM OFFICE Interviewed by Markee magazine. Fulfilled information requests from MTV, Broken Sound Productions, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and the location manager for a short film, “Stone Child.” Coordinated details in preparation for AFI Festival’s “Film the West” reception in November. Continued worked with vendor and Bureau of Information and Telecommunications to implement updates to the FilmSD web site and review success of updates. Received the new film image-based sales piece for the Film Office, which replaced the current directory. The first, biggest distribution will be at Sundance to promote South Dakota filming. [ back to top ] INFORMATION CENTERS There were 154 motorcoaches/buses that stopped at the Centers, and 31 were international. To date, have received 1,313 comment cards for the season. Worked on details of the end-of-the year party for Interstate Information Center travel counselors with Hot Springs Chamber and Budget Host property. Closed all Information Centers except the Lewis and Clark Information Center at Chamberlain, which will close October 31. [ back to top ] HOSPITALITY Will present a workshop at the Tourism Conference in January to re-launch the hospitality program – Great Service STAR. Continued to review applications for the George S. Mickelson Award, which will be presented at the Tourism Conference and present to the Tourism Board for selection of the winner and recommendation to the Governor. This process also includes review of the applications for presentation of the Great Service STAR to be used in marketing campaigns by individual businesses. [ back to top ] INQUIRIES Total FY2007 Inquiries through 10-01-06: Mail: 6,371 Internet (e-mail): 21,644 Phone: 2,989 Total: 31,004 Total FY2006 Inquiries through 10-01-05: Mail: 5,639 Internet (e-mail): 18,582 Phone: 3,732 Total: 27,953 For fiscal year 2007, there is an overall increase in inquiries of 10.9 percent over FY2006. The Office of Tourism is reviewing its internet traffic reports. Information will be provided next month. [ back to top ] NATIVE AMERICAN TOURISM Attended a round table discussion with many of the tribal tourism leaders in the state. The next meeting will be in February and progress or status report on issues discussed will be presented. [ back to top ] PHOTO/VIDEO Fulfilled requests for photos/slides to Lawrence and Schiller, AAA South Dakota, Sioux Falls CVB, South Dakota Rural Water Association, Sioux Falls; Game, Fish and Parks, South Dakota Quarter committee, freelance designer Rocky Hayes, Great Lakes Tourism Association, State Publishing, Dakota Outdoors Magazine, Capitol Journal, South Dakota Retirement System, freelance writer Bill Markley, Pierre Chamber of Commerce, South Dakota Rural Electric Association, South Dakota Wildlife Federation, Office of History, State Treasurer’s Office, Pierre; Black Hills Central Railroad, Hill City; South Dakota Newspaper Association, Brookings; South Dakota magazine, South East South Dakota Tourism Association, Yankton; Cedar Shore Resort, Chamberlain; Aberdeen American News; HMS Enterprises, Rapid City; Pure Passion Arts Action, Canada; mobiltravelguide.com; Pheasants Forever, Minnesota; Wild West magazine, Pennsylvania; Allied Insurance Company, Iowa; Qwest Communications, Colorado; Traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail, Idaho; U.S. Forest Service, Nebraska; Markee magazine, Kikim Media, California; and Spring Hill Press, Missouri. Fulfilled requests for video footage: Sent stock footage to Rally Partners, Inc. in Orange, California, to use it a show they are making for the Great Race automobile race. Sent Black Hills footage to Warren Miller Entertainment in Boulder, Colorado, for a show they are producing. Send video of the Black Hills and Wind Cave to South Dakota Public Broadcasting for a segment they are producing on Dakota Life. [ back to top ] TRAVEL MARKET ADVERTISING Proofed and routed shoulder season ads for review/comments. Newspaper ads were placed in SW Minnesota (Rochester, Albert Lea, Marshall, Willmar, Worthington); NW Iowa (Sheldon, Ames, Ft. Dodge, Mason City, LeMars, Spencer); Minneapolis; St. Paul; Sioux Falls; Sioux City; Omaha; Casper Cheyenne; Gillette; Laramie; and Denver. Ad and editorial appeared in the Minneapolis Travel Guide. Banner ads were placed on PheasantCountry.com; and ad was placed in KOA Camping Directory. Assembled and sent the October issue of Travelsmart, which was received by 144,967 list members. Created a web banner for Woodall’s site. Worked on draft of mailer for 2007 peak season Giant Step co-op campaign which will include a list of publications from which potential partners will mark their top five choices for participation. List includes some niche publications. Plan to send the mailer out in mid-November. Gathering rates for multiple insertions for the 2007 Great Getaways co-op campaign. [ back to top ] WINTER CAMPAIGN Will partner with Deadwood in a plan similar to the 2005-2006 campaign – details to be finalized. Snowmobile Maps have arrived. Will send several thousand maps to Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes for distribution in their newsletter and will deliver to area businesses. Printed 50,000, and Game, Fish and Parks paid the greatest share of the cost. [ back to top ] WORLD WIDE WEB On TravelSD.com: updated Visitor Services Directory to show 5,040 entries; and 70 vacation packages/travel specials are listed for 24 cities in 29 categories. Between September 28 and October 27, 54 e-postcards were sent. State-wide Calendar of Events shows 565 listings. [ back to top ] LOGO USAGE Forwarded flag image to Vicky Shaw; logo to South Dakota Hairstylists Association for 2007 Convention in the Black Hills. [ back to top ] NEW FACES The Office of Tourism is pleased to welcome Kirk Hulstein as our Research Marketing Manager, starting November 1. In an effort to build a comprehensive foundation of market research and fully leverage our existing technological talents, the Research and E-Commerce Team will help us further define our electronic and database marketing strategies. His team will work to develop even greater resources to reach and understand consumers through electronic media, database marketing, and inquiry management. [ back to top ] JOB POSITION LISTING Revised Graphic Designer job description and forwarded to Marty/BOP. Ad is also running in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Fargo papers. First BOP closing is 10/27. [ back to top ] Governor's Buffalo Roundup Coordinated the broadcast of the roundup live via satellite to media nationwide. The broadcast ran during more than 250 television broadcasts, reaching an audience of more than 15 million viewers. CNN, CNN Headline News, CBS, ABC, ESPN, WB and the Weather Channel were among the national media airing the roundup footage. Affiliate stations in Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, St. Louis, San Antonio, and many other American cities also used the images. [ back to top ] Governor's Invitational Pheasant Hunt Finalized details for Governor’s Invitational Pheasant Hunt, which included décor, menus, art showcase, transportation, photos, and activities for guests and the general public. [ back to top ] GREAT EVENTS 2006 Oz Festival/Dakota Heritage, June 9-10, Aberdeen: Working on compiling a report. [ back to top ] GREAT EVENTS 2007 Selected events for the 2007 promotion, notified all applicants, and set up initial planning meeting with committees: Czech Days, Tabor, June 14-16; Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo, Mitchell, July 19-22; Wheels & Wings Weekend featuring Sizzlin' Summer Nights, Aberdeen, August 25&26; and Mickelson Trail Trek, Mickelson Trail through out the Black Hills, September 14-16. [ back to top ] TOURISM OFFICE FUNDING Deadwood gaming revenue deposited for September was up 4.0 percent at $310,365, as compared to $298,492 for September 2005. The tourism tax deposited for September was down 0.6 percent at $1,043,859, as compared to $1,050,452 for September 2005. The deposits for FY07 for gaming and the tourism tax are $3,851,325, as compared to $3,739,242 for FY06. This is an overall increase in revenue of 3.0 percent when comparing the same time period in FY06. [ back to top ]