MEMORANDUM TO: Richard Benda
DATE: November 6, 2007
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
Cultural Heritage
Tourism
Agri-Tourism
Media & Public Relations
Industry Relations
South Dakota Tourism Industry Information -
Outdoors
Film Office
Information Centers
Hospitality
Inquiries
Photo/Video
Travel Market Advertising
Publications
Web
Research
Great Events
Interns
2010 Initiative
Please refer to the web site at
www.2010initiative.com
for updates.
Or, review Tourism's October Summary Report to
Secretary Benda.
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Cultural Heritage
Tourism
Received 57 applications in responses to a letter written to cultural heritage
tourism attractions inviting them to be a part of the cultural heritage
publication.
Added 96 attractions and businesses to the culture/heritage category in the
Visitor Services Directory on TravelSD.com.
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Agri-Tourism
Have had discussions with Country Adventures, who’ve had success in another
state in developing a website to promote agri-tourism businesses. They have been
awarded a USDA grant to help agri- businesses in South Dakota and Utah.
Continued working with representatives from the South Dakota Department of
Agriculture on how South Dakota will move forward with agri-tourism.
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Media & Public
Relations
Compilation of earned media: October – estimated ad value of $95,247 (circ.
2,282,361); total for 2007 – estimated ad value of $747,421 (circ. 19,696,266);
and Fiscal Year 2008 – estimated ad value of $326,901 (circ. 4,175,587).
Researched Linkedin.com, a web page for public relations professionals and My
Ragan.com, an online community for public relations professionals.
Handled media calls and fulfilled requests for information from WNAX, KOTA
radio, Capital Journal, Rapid City Journal, Discovery Communications (Travel
Channel/Planet Green), and several MediaSD inquiries. Interviewed by WNAX
regarding First Lady’s Prairie Art Showcase, KOTA radio regarding new online
tools, and Capital Journal regarding W3 award.
Posted press releases to in-state media (posted to www.MediaSD.com and the State
News Web): “New Online Tools Make Travel to South Dakota Easier,” “First Lady
Rounds Hosts South Dakota Art Showcase,” “South Dakota Grabs National Tourism
Spotlight,” and “Custer State Park’s Annual Buffalo Roundup Has Global Reach.”
Continued Uniquely SD series that highlights counties (Sully, Todd, Trip,
Turner, Union). Posted eight industry releases to MediaSD.com and posted 12 new
story leads to MediaSD.com.
Sent pitch to travel writers nationwide regarding unique dining experiences in
South Dakota, for buffalo, South Dakota Certified Beef, and walleye.
Hosted the following journalist at the Governor’s Invitational Pheasant Hunt:
Gary Howey, Outdoorsmen Adventures; Larry Myhre, Sioux City Journal; MD & Julie
Johnson, freelancers; Joe Dugan, Pheasants Forever; and Glenn Sapir and Bill
Brassard, NSSF.
Satellite feed report from Universal for the coverage of the Buffalo Roundup
showed that 3.7 million people were reached in over 100 broadcasts for a
publicity value of $392,904.
Attended the TIA Marketing Outlook Forum to accept the Odyssey Award for the 20
Bucks for the Road campaign and to attend the educational conference sessions.
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Industry Relations
Sent the Tourism Conference registration flyer to the printer and plan to mail
them to the visitor industry by mid-November. Will place the registration
information and form on SDVisit.com. New this year is a credit card option for
payments.
Mailed letter, application form, and entry information to 600 Made in South
Dakota producers inviting them to enter the juried process to exhibit at the
2008 Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Continued working with the Million Dollar Challenge partners/projects. Will
compile new applications for the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board to review at
their December meeting.
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Trade Sales
Group Tour/International
Was invited to present information to Cultural Heritage Center staff on
marketing methods, group tour and group leader shows, and other ideas to
increase group tours to the Heritage Center.
Received 5,000 copies of the new South Dakota Meeting Planners Guide as part of
the meetings co-op with the CVB Association. Tourism plans to purchase a
database of meeting planners interested in holding events in the Midwest and
mail these guides to those planners.
Assisted AAA travel agents and regional directors from Ohio, MidAtlantic, North
Dakota, California, Chicago Motor Club, Michigan, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Maine,
Missouri, Oklahoma, New York, CAA Manitoba, Abbott Travel, Carlson Wagonlit, MLT
World Vacations, and various other independently owned travel agencies.
Researched tour operator profiles and requested 66 appointments for National
Tour Association (NTA) Annual Convention in November in Missouri. Sent
appointment schedule, list of South Dakota delegates, caucus information, and
Destination Pavilion information to South Dakota’s NTA delegates.
Mailed postcards to 1,500 tour operators who may attend American Bus Association
(ABA) Marketplace in February in Virginia to encourage them to schedule
appointments with the South Dakota delegates listed on the postcards.
Attended MLT University in St. Paul, a travel agent trade show designed to
educate travel agents on specific MLT Preferred Destinations, which includes the
Black Hills. Was asked to give a presentation to the travel agents on how to
effectively sell the Black Hills and Badlands to their clients. Included in the
presentation was how to enroll in the Black Hills Specialist Program.
Mailed requested DVD, Press Kit CD, and website information to Purdue University
Tourism Department for class analysis project.
Sent requested information to Darla Bass, Kansas; Star Tours of Ohio, Ohio;
Reunion Tours and Charters, North Carolina; Traveling With Linda, Texas; Rose
Gregory, Ontario, Canada; and Thelma Nuovi Monde, Italy.
Finalized portions of the Travel Professionals pages on TravelSD.com. The
formerly stand-alone website for group tour operators at TourSDakota.com will be
a url link from TravelSD.com and will continue to contain information for tour
operators, meeting and convention planners, and travel agents.
Followed-up with journalists who were hosted at the Buffalo Roundup: Dirk and
Adriane Koester for information on their article for Independent Cycles. Their
article for Mototouren has been submitted. Provided research and contacts to
Godfrey Hall, United Kingdom, for his Native American article.
Hosted the President of Northwest Airlines Japan and his Senior Web Designer in
the Badlands and the Black Hills. They are in the process of creating a new
travel marketing website for the Japanese market, which will showcase various
destinations in the United States serviced by Northwest Airlines, including the
Black Hills.
Completed follow-up for Japanese marketing activities including Japanese Sales
Missions to Los Angeles and Tokyo as well as in-state Japanese hostings.
Assisted Meike Boldt, CRD International with American Travelhouse in Germany, in
contacting CVBs regarding a request for 50-70 rooms for late August for a
motorcycle trip through South Dakota.
Was contacted by America Journal, Germany, about Lakota Foods as they had met
their representative at a German food show.
Drafted itinerary for a winter fam for Alidays, Italy, for 14 travel agents in
January. Coordinated itinerary for journalist Claudia Bihler, MAZ, Germany.
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Outdoors
Completed registration and sponsorship forms for Pheasant Fest 2008, which is
also the 25th anniversary of Pheasants Forever and the national convention
combined.
Continued developing outdoors contact lists with VOCUS online for birding,
fishing, travel, golf, RV/Travel, travel and tourism, and nature/outdoors
interests.
Was interviewed by Ron Schara for his "Live Outdoors" on 830 WCCO about pheasant
season for a Monday broadcast with an audience of 135,000. Taped interview about
pheasant hunting, CRP and water fowling in South Dakota with Ron for his
"Minnesota Outdoors" on 830 WCCO for a Saturday broadcast with a weekly audience
of 125,000. Interviewed by Capital Journal regarding this year’s pheasant season
Hosted the following journalists in October: Ron Schara, Pheasants Forever TV;
Larry Myhre, Sioux City Journal; Gary Howey, Outdoorsman Adventures; Joe Duggan,
Pheasants Forever; Mark Taylor, Roanoke Times; Jeff Engel, Engel’s Outdoor TV;
MD and Julia Johnson; freelancers from Iowa; Jim Clinton, “Four Seasons Outdoor
Journal” and “Remember the Hunt;” and Lisa Price and Brenda Potts, freelancers.
Upcoming hostings include Mike Hegedus, CNBC “On The Money” for November; Don
Steese, Indiana freelancer in November/December; Tom McIntyre and Sam Western in
October/November; Woods and Waters Television in December; Gary Engburg,
Engburgs Outdoors to film pheasants and walleyes in October/November; Glacial
Lakes ice fishing fam in January; and Early Ice-out Northing in March/April.
Gathered information for Sioux Falls CVB regarding media earned as a result of
the Association of Great Lakes Outdoors Writers (AGLOW) conference last
September. Compiled information on women-only getaways for Amy Chen of Budget
Travel magazine. Began gathering information for Mike Hegedus and CNBC for their
story on Taxidermy in South Dakota in November. Worked with Great Lakes of South
Dakota Association to gather information for Lauren Burgoon of the American Bus
Association regarding tours of the Capital building. Gathered information for
Craig Ellerbroek from PRIME Magazine in Sioux Falls for an article on Big Game
hunting in South Dakota.
Participated in a conference call with the Corporate Partners of POMA to discuss
the 2008 conference to be held in Sioux Falls in July.
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Film Office
Continued working with Disney Domestic Field Marketing Team regarding movie
promotions for National Treasure: Book of Secrets. It includes a website off
TravelSD for people to sign up for trips. The web page will also include
background information on the film including trailers, interviews, and photos.
Held conference call with Rapid City CVB and Black Hills Central Reservations to
discuss trip giveaway packages.
Fulfilled requests for film production information to Chiopolis Entertainment,
DreamWorks, Los Convenio, Strike Anywhere Films, Drop Point Movie, T E K
Productions, AJ Productions, Guest House Films, The Film Department, and May
International Group.
Completed Discovery Items (contacts, locations, projects, cities and counties,
etc) and sent to Reel Scout for development of the locations website for South
Dakota. Another training session is planned for November.
Completed online exam for Film Commission Professionals, as part of the
Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI). Followed-up with AFCI
Locations Trade Show contact, Joel Viertel, who is planning a scout in South
Dakota.
Provided French Public Television with contact information for Crazy Horse
Memorial, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Deadwood, Pine Ridge, Custer State
Park, and Fort Laramie.
Posted casting call for Hayze Entertainment Group film project on FilmSD.com and
mailed to in-state contacts. Interviewed with Markee magazine for their December
issue. Provided Paramount Pictures location manager with Badlands and Black
Hills location images.
Hosted five film industry contacts during 2007 Buffalo Roundup plus an
additional three days on a fam in western South Dakota: Richard VanNess, Troy
McQuillen, Jeff Zueger, Jerry Ketcham, and Jim Thompson.
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Information Centers
In September, 127 motorcoaches/buses stopped at the Information Centers and 21
were international.
Closed remaining staffed Information Centers in Valley Springs, Vermillion, New
Effington, Spearfish, and Chamberlain the last Sunday in October.
Sioux Falls will host the end-of-the-year party for travel counselors.
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Hospitality
Received 66 applications for the Great Service Star designation. Began reviewing
applications for selection of the George S. Mickelson Great Service Award from
these applications as well.
Met with Black Hills State University staff, Priscilla Romkema and Sheila Aaker,
to discuss the online curriculum hospitality training proposal they’ve developed
for Tourism.
Discussed hospitality training and Train-the-Trainer program with Kathleen
Sheets with the South Dakota Office of Equip in Sioux Falls. Equip is a training
and consulting firm that works with companies on business development. They work
closely with Economic Development offices.
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Inquiries
Total FY2008 Inquiries through
11-01-07:
Mail: 1,628
Internet (e-mail):
6,573
Phone:
433
Total:
8,634
For fiscal year 2008, there is an overall increase in inquiries of 18.5%
percent over FY2007
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Native American Tourism
Participated in the Native Discovery Pilot Tour of Indian reservations in South
Dakota. The four-day tour included stops in Mitchell, Chamberlain, Lower Brule,
Mobridge, Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and
Rosebud Indian Reservation. Met with the Native Discovery group and the federal
agency that was evaluating the group and checking on compliancy with grant money
the group had received. The federal representatives asked Tourism staff about
the pilot tour; they were impressed with the interaction and cooperation between
Tourism, tribal offices, and Native Discovery.
Attended meeting in Eagle Butte with ANA, Four Bands, and Native Discovery for
briefing on how Native Discovery has impacted the Indian communities and to
relay comments from the international participants who took part in the Native
Discovery tour.
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Photo/Video
Fulfilled requests for photos/slides to Lawrence and Schiller, KELO television,
Sioux Falls; Cultural Heritage Center, Bureau of Information and
Telecommunications, Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre; TIE Media Services, Black
Hills, Badlands & Lakes, Rapid City; Chamberlain-Oacoma Chamber of Commerce, St.
Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain; TDG Communications, Deadwood; USD Business
Research Bureau, Vermillion; Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City; Custer State Park
Resorts; Voice of America, Texas; The Hollywood Reporter, California; North
American Grouse Magazine, Minnesota; Agragate, Iowa; and Rocky Mountain
International, Italy.
Fulfilled requests for video dubs and loans: Sent video to Jeff Engle/AV of
Milwaukee for a pheasant hunting show he is producing on South Dakota.
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Travel Market
Advertising
Shipped the following as part of the shoulder season ad campaign: Weekly
newspaper ads in Eau Claire, Council Bluffs, Mankato, Omaha, Sioux City,
Minneapolis and St. Paul, Fargo, SW Minnesota, and NW Iowa. Deadwood co-op
newspaper ads for Cheyenne, Denver, and Sioux Falls. Deadwood advitorials for
Denver. Hunting direct mailers (foldout mailer and postcard) – scheduled to mail
November 1. Hunting image TV spot. October issue of TravelSmart.
Processed 40 partner applications for Giant Step.
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Publications
Developed a timeline for the new cultural heritage brochure. Continued working
on the golf publication.
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World Wide
Web/E-Commerce
On TravelSD.com: Visitor Services Directory has 5,135 entries; and 54 travel
specials are listed for 13 cities. For Hot Deals, 38 businesses are registered
and four hot deals are currently running. Received 455 event submissions which
are being processed for listings on the Calendar of Events co-op program for
TravelSD.com. Between September 29 and October 31, 55 e-postcards were sent by
consumers.
Shot an interview with Jay Vogt at the Cultural Heritage Center for the Giant
Step partnership. Two partner videos remain to be filmed.
Reviewed promotion rules for gift card giveaway and the online sign-up form for
the Hunting Direct Mail promotion. The direct mail piece is being mailed to
115,000 hunters in November.
Attended the Matt Bailey web optimization seminars in Deadwood and Rapid City.
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Research
Attended online training with RUF regarding Navigator system.
Attended the TIA Market Outlook Forum in North Carolina and met privately with
key research vendors.
Logo Usage
Sent logo to Kelley Thompson, a design firm working on Group Travel Directory.
Governor’s Buffalo Roundup and Governor’s Invitational Pheasant Hunt
Completed follow-up to Roundup event.
Hosted guests to Hunt activities and will complete follow-up.
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Great Events 2008:
Selected five events, with one to focus on the outdoors: Czech Days, Tabor, June
19-21; Oahe Days, Pierre, June 20-22; Festival of Presidents, Rapid City, 27-28;
Hill City Western Heritage Festival, Hill City, September 20-21; and the
outdoors event is the Mickelson Trail Trek, Black Hills, September 19-21.
Notified all applicants of selections.
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Interns
Developed job descriptions for summer intern positions.
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