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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
CONTACT: Wanda Goodman, (605) 773-3301 or wanda.goodman@state.sd.us
PIERRE, S.D. – Dozens of tourism businesses and organizations are receiving recognition for their dedication to customer service.
The South Dakota Office of Tourism is giving Great Service Star designations to 145 businesses and visitor groups in more than 35 communities across the state. The Great Service Star indicates a business is committed to outstanding customer service and has completed customer service training.
“We’re encouraged by the increasing number of businesses and organizations receiving the Great Service Star,” said Richard Benda, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development. “Outstanding customer service results in repeat business. Customer service is a win for businesses, their patrons and the state.”
A business receiving the Great Service Star is awarded a symbol to use in its marketing and a plaque to post at the business to demonstrate its “Great Service” commitment to visitors.
In addition, receipt of the Great Service Star designation automatically qualifies a business to be considered for the George S. Mickelson Great Service Award, which is presented to the year’s top service providers each January at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Businesses interested in pursuing the Great Service Star designation are encouraged to visit www.sdvisit.com/programs/service/greatservice.asp.
The following South Dakota businesses have received the Great Service Star designation for 2010:
Aberdeen
Best Western Ramkota Hotel
MinaLake Recreation Area
RamadaConvention Center
RichmondLake Recreation Area
WyliePark
Brandon
Big Sioux Recreation Area
Britton
Northern Lights Inn
Brookings
Hampton Inn & Suites
South DakotaArt Museum
Bruce
OakwoodLakesState Park
LakePoinsett Recreation Area
Canistota
LakeVermillion Recreation Area
Canton
LakeAlvin Recreation Area
NewtonHillsState Park
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie
UnionGroveState Park
Carpenter
Possibility Farm Bed & Breakfast
Chamberlain
AktaLakotaMuseum at St. Joseph’s IndianSchool
AmericInn Lodge & Suites
CedarShore Resort
Howard Johnson Inn & Suites
Super 8
Custer
Custer Area Chamber of Commerce
CusterState Park
FortWelikit Car & Camper Rentals
FortWelikit Family Campground
Deadwood
Black Hills Central Reservations
Comfort Inn at Gulches of Fun
Deadwood Gulch Resort
Four Aces Casino & Hampton Inn
Gold Dust Gaming, Inc.
MineralPalace
Super 8 Deadwood
Ft. Pierre
Cow Creek Recreation Area
Oahe Down Stream Recreation Area
Okobojo Point Recreation Area
Spring Creek Recreation Area
Garretson
PalisadesState Park
Beaver Creek Nature Area
Gettysburg
West Whitlock Recreation Area
Hill City
Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
Black Hills Central Railroad/1880 Train
Black Hills Institute: Everything Prehistoric
Mt. Rushmore/Hill City KOA & Palmer Gulch Lodge
Pine Rest Cabins
Prairie Berry Winery
Hot Springs
Angostura Recreation Area
Sojourner Inn
Information Centers
ChamberlainInformationCenter
New EffingtonInformationCenter
SalemInformationCenter
SpearfishInformationCenter
TilfordInformationCenter
ValleySpringsInformationCenter
VermillionInformationCenter
VivianInformationCenter
WastaInformationCenter
WilmotInformationCenter
Keystone
Big Thunder Gold Mine
Keystone Chamber of Commerce
XanterraParks & Resorts at Mt.Rushmore
Lake Andes
North Point Recreation Area
North Wheeler Recreation Area
Pease Creek Recreation Area
RandallCreek Recreation Area
Lake City
FortSisseton Historic State Park
RoyLakeState Park
SicaHollowState Park
Lake Preston
LakeThompson Recreation Area
Lead
Black Hills Trails Office
George S. Mickelson Trail
Rocky Point Recreation Area
RoughlockFalls Nature Area
SpearfishCanyon Lodge
Madison
Greater Madison Area Chamber of Commerce
LakeHermanState Park
Walker’s Point Recreation Area
Miller
Lake Louise Recreation Area
Mitchell
Hampton Inn of Mitchell
Kelly Inn & Suites
World’s Only Corn Palace
Mobridge
Indian Creek Recreation Area
LakeHiddenwood Recreation Area
RevheimBay Recreation Area
Swan Creek Recreation Area
Murdo
PioneerAutoShow & PrairieTown
North Sioux City
AdamsHomestead and Nature Preserve
Oacoma
Oasis Inn
Pierre
Best Western Ramkota Hotel
FarmIsland Recreation Area
Great Lakes of SD Tourism Association
LaFramboiseIsland Nature Area
South Dakota State Parks
West Bend Recreation Area
Platte
BurkeLake Recreation Area
Buryanek Recreation Area
Platte Creek Recreation Area
Snake Creek Recreation Area
Rapid City
BestWesternRamkotaHotel & ConferenceCenter
Black Hills Caverns
Black HillsVisitorInformationCenter
Comfort Inn I-90
Firehouse Brewing Company
GrandStay Residential Suites
Howard Johnson Inn & Suites
LakePark Campground
Microtel Inn & Suites
Rapid City CVB
ReptileGardens
Rushmore Shadows Resort
Redfield
Fisher Grove Recreation Area
Rockerville
The Gas Light Restaurant
Rosebud
Salt CampCabins and B&B
Shadehill
Little Moreau Recreation Area
Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area
Shadehill Recreation Area
Sioux Falls
Club House Hotel & Suites
Great PlainsZoo & DelbridgeMuseum of Natural History
The Outdoor Campus
The Empire Mall
Spearfish
Best Western Black Hills Lodge
Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
Rodeway Inn & Suites
Springfield
Springfield Recreation Area
Sturgis
BearButteState Park
Executive Lodging of the Black Hills
Wall
Wall Badlands Area Chamber of Commerce
Wall Drug Store
Watertown
Best Western Ramkota Hotel
Country Inn & Suites
HartfordBeachState Park
LakeCochran Recreation Area
PelicanLake Recreation Area
PickerelLake Recreation Area
Public Water Access Program
RedlinArtCenter
SandyShore Recreation Area
WatertownCVB
Glacial Lakes and Prairies Tourism Association
Yankton
Yankton CVB
BestWesternKellyInn
Historic Downtown Yankton
Lewis & Clark Recreation Area
Pierson Ranch Recreation Area
Chief White Crane Recreation Area
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