The Visitor Beat
Welcome to The Visitor Beat, the monthly newsletter of Experience Sioux Falls. Stay up-to-date on what's going on locally in the travel industry, as well as what's trending nationally.
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Shoulder Season Marketing Efforts
Experience Sioux Falls (ESF) has entered its second of three phases for its marketing efforts during the shoulder season, or the fall and winter seasons. ESF has been promoting Sioux Falls as a travel destination this holiday season using the holiday video below in target markets, in addition to several other strategic tactics.
Thank You, Mary!
After nine years of working for Experience Sioux Falls, we are bittersweet to announce that Mary Hublou is retiring next week. Mary joined the organization in 2015 as our First Impressions / Project Manager, and she fit seamlessly into the team from day one with her infectious personality and willingness to help with anything. Mary has helped countless visitors by giving them suggestions of things to do not only in Sioux Falls, but statewide. We couldn’t think of a more friendly and helpful person to represent Experience Sioux Falls, and for those who have met Mary, you likely know how warm and delightful she is. As a 2024 South Dakota Great Face Award recipient, Mary truly embodies what it means to be a Great Face of South Dakota.
Experience Sioux Falls can’t thank Mary enough for everything she has done for the organization, and we wish her the best as she enters the next chapter of her life. Mary plans to spend time with family, traveling, and continuing to enjoy her hobbies.
If you would like to send your well wishes to Mary, you may reach her at Mary@ExperienceSiouxFalls.com through December 13.
South Dakota Governor's Conference on Tourism
The 2025 South Dakota Governor's Conference on Tourism will be held January 21-23 in Pierre and will include three days of learning from speakers and networking with industry peers. Register to attend for a great opportunity to connect with those from attractions, restaurants, lodging, shops, destination marketing organizations, and more, and learn about what’s going on in the visitor industry across South Dakota, how it affects you, and what strategies you can implement in your business to stand out to visitors.
Each year during the conference, Experience Sioux Falls organizes a basket of items to give away in a raffle benefitting the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota (formerly known as the South Dakota Visitor Industry Alliance) which is the statewide advocate for the visitor industry. Thanks to generous partners, last year’s Sioux Falls basket had a value of $2,400! If you are interested in donating a hotel stay, attraction passes, gift cards, merchandise, or anything else for the basket, please contact Jackie Wentworth.
Holiday Shopping
As you work on your holiday shopping list this month, be sure to also stop by the Falls Park Visitor Information Center where you can shop for gifts for loved ones. Purchase a cozy sweatshirt, blanket, coffee mug, postcards, and more. There are also plenty of options for kids too, including apparel, stuffed animals, and games.
Current hours for the Visitor Information Center are:
5pm-9pm Monday-Friday
1pm-9pm Saturday & Sunday
Looking for additional holiday shopping options? Read through our shopping guides for a few more options to consider.
National Tour Association Travel Exchange
Experience Sioux Falls Sales Manager, Jackie Wentworth, recently attended the National Tour Association Travel Exchange in Huntsville, AL, where she met with 29 tour operators to talk about why Sioux Falls is an ideal destination for the group tour market.
The tour operators that Wentworth met with included a mix of new prospects and also those who have brought tours to Sioux Falls in the past, with the hope of luring them back to Sioux Falls again for future excursions.
A typical group tour, or motorcoach tour, consists of travelers purchasing a package to visit several cities and states by motorcoach over the span of a week, with some of these packages being labeled as a “mystery tour” where the travelers don’t find out where they will be traveling to until they step aboard the coach.
Connect Faith
Sioux Falls was represented last month at Connect Faith in Greenville, SC. Experience Sioux Falls Sales Manager, Jay Kaltenbach, met with 37 planners for events in the faith and religious markets to showcase facilities, hotels, and amenities that Sioux Falls can offer for event attendees. Kaltenbach returned with a number of strong leads to pursue after expressing initial interest in holding a future event in Sioux Falls.
