Ask Questions, Get Answers


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
CONTACT: Wanda Goodman, (605) 773-3301 or wanda.goodman@state.sd.us
 
Ask Questions, Get Answers
 
PIERRE, S.D. – State tourism officials invite the visitor industry to attend one of four informational meetings in the coming months as part of an “Ask South Dakota Tourism” road trip. 
 
“These meetings give the visitor industry a chance to learn about the marketing opportunities available through our office and to speak one-on-one with our staff,” said Richard Benda, secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development.
 
Attendees will have the chance to visit one-on-one with tourism staff about cooperative marketing opportunities through the Office of Tourism, including the Online Customer Service Training, Million Dollar Challenge, Interstate Information Center Programs, Great Events, Giant Step Program and Great Getaways Program.
 
In addition, the Office of Tourism’s media and public relations staff will be available for one-on-one discussions on how to interact with, and relay news to, the media.
 
“No appointments are necessary for these meetings and they are free of charge,” said Melissa Bump, director of the Office of Tourism. “This is a great opportunity for the visitor industry to learn about opportunities available through the Office of Tourism that will help them market their communities.”
 
The Office of Tourism will make stops at four locations across South Dakota: 

 
April 22                                                                       May 7
Pierre                                                                           Mitchell
King's Inn Hotel and ConferenceCenter                       World’s Only Corn Palace
110 E. Sioux St.                                                           604 N. Main St.
9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.                                                         11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
*Taking place during the Great Lakes of                       *Taking place during the Literature
South Dakota annual meeting                                        Swap  
                                                                                                                       
May 6                                                                         July 17
Rapid City                                                                    Milbank
RushmorePlaza Civic Center                                        Location TBD
444 Mt. Rushmore Rd. N                                            11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.                                                           *Taking place during the Glacial
*Taking place during the Literature Swap                      Lakes & Prairies board meeting
 

“South Dakota’s tourism industry has thrived in past years due in part to the partnerships built between the public and private sectors. We encourage the industry to attend these meetings and hope to continue the successes of these partnerships,” said Benda.
 
For more information about opportunities with the Office of Tourism and Ask South Dakota Tourism visit www.SDVisit.com or call (605) 773-3301. Ask South Dakota Tourism is part of Goal 1 of the 2010 initiative to double visitor spending in South Dakota.
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