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Department of Tourism and State Development
711 E. Wells Ave.
Pierre, SD57501
(605) 773-3301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Jan. 28, 2008
CONTACT: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301
Bump Named Tourism Director
Pierre, S.D. – Melissa Bump has been named the new Director of Tourism, according to Richard Benda, Secretary, Department of Tourism and State Development.
Bump, a native of Aberdeen, has been with the Office of Tourism for 12 years, most currently serving as the Visitor and Industry Relations Manager. “Melissa has been a key player in all of the marketing and promotional efforts currently being done by our Tourism Office,” said Benda. “She brings a great deal of expertise and enthusiasm to this position.”
Bump has been responsible for overseeing the InterstateInformationCenters, Great Events Campaign, Million Dollar Challenge Program, Hospitality Program, Tribal Tourism, and the Cooperative Marketing Programs. “Cooperative marketing has been a key component in our success during the past few years and I look forward to continuing to partner with industry leaders across the state,” Bump said.
“Melissa will literally be able to hit the ground running,” Benda said. “Our visitor spending was higher than ever this past year and we don’t want to lose any of the momentum we have going into our 2008 peak season.”
Bump began her career with Tourism’s Creative Division as the media buyer, and prior to that worked with AAA Travel of South Dakota. Melissa and her husband Craig have two children Matthew and Alyssa.
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