Recent travels, updates, news, getting geared up for Spring!🪴
Sports Shows & Events
We’re back from another great set of Sports Shows! The Omaha International Boat Sports & Travel Show did not disappoint and we were excited to be hitting one of our largest target audience groups. Likewise, the Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Sioux Falls pulled visitors from Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and other surrounding states. We were thrilled to give away so much material! Our Sport Show Co-op performed fantastic with visitors narrowing down where they want to vacation along the river. Inside the region, we had a great year at the KCCR Farm Home & Sports Show and we are looking forward to the upcoming Oahe Days Music & Arts Festival.
Oahe Days | Raffle Sponsors
Oahe Days Music & Arts Festival will be happening on June 14th & 15th. Each year SDMRT hosts a raffle during the event with fun giveaways from donating sponsors. If you would like to donate a basket of items, gift card, or anything to show off your business we would love to promote you in our Oahe Days marketing efforts!
Raffle Tickets will be available for members to purchase in the next coming months. Prices are 1 Ticket for $10 or 4 Tickets for $20.
We've Improved Your Online Business Listing!
We have recently upgraded our online business listing platform for our members. Listings will now have featured photos to show off your business or attraction. This is a great way to help visitors see ALL that you offer. Another update we implemented is a nearby attractions carousel which helps visitors see what else they can do in your location. As we continue to update each listing, please let us know if there are specific images you would like to use, or if you have any other edits to your content.
The South Dakota Interstate Welcome Centers play a vital role in visitor experience as hundreds of thousands from all over the world frequent them each summer. These centers are often the first impression guests have of our state, and are a huge asset in displaying business brochures and information.
The Welcome Center Publication Programis a FREE material distribution program that businesses, destinations, and attractions can take advantage of. We encourage our Central South Dakota members to register for this great opportunity and get your information about your town or attractions to these pivotal locations. Please contact Mandy Lemmel, Welcome Center Manager, for more information at 605-773-3301 or Mandy.Lemmel@TravelSouthDakota.com.
SDMRT Lit Drop | Wednesday, May 8 | 10am - 2pm CST
Do you need help getting your materials to Welcome Centers? SDMRT will be hosting a regional Lit Drop on May 8th from 10m - 2pm in front of Annie’s Firehouse: 221 S. Main Ave, Platte. This Literature Drop is for material that has already been registered for the SD Tourism Publication Program. This provides FREE shipping to welcome centers. At the event, please be prepared to drop off your materials at every welcome center's pallet. SDMRT will not be able to help with unloading materials. Please bring a helper if you have heavy or large amounts of literature.
Spring Customer Service Seminar Wednesday, May 8 | 2:30 - 4pm CST
National Travel & Tourism Week brings lots of excitement to the state. In recognition of NTTW, Travel South Dakota in partnership with the South Dakota Retailers Association will host its 2024 Spring Customer Service Seminar. Guest speaker Betsy Manning will be returning to SD to share her message to front-line workers in seven communities. There is no cost to attend any of the sessions. Central SoDak’s seminar will be hosted at Rolling Hills Lodge in Platte on May 8th from 2:30 - 4pm to coincide with the regional Lit Drop. We encourage anyone working with customers to attend a session! See full schedule of participating locations & times.
2024 Fort Pierre Event Grant Application
Fort Pierre Tourism has opened up their event grant for 2024. Completed applications must be submitted by April 15, 2024. You can find the application on their website.
Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities
SDSU Extension will host its sixth annual Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities conference May 22 - 23 in Hot Springs at the Mueller Center (801 S 6th St, Hot Springs, SD) and various locations throughout the community. This is a conference about rural communities held in a rural community. Bring your walking shoes because you won’t be sitting in a conference center! Learn more and register.
2024 Events Wanted!
We are encouraging all SDMRT Members to submit events to our website. As we have noticed higher trends of visitors looking for local events and fun family opportunities we want to make sure that you take advantage of our online calendar, which is a FREE perk to all members.
