’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 1

MEMORANDUM TO: John Calvin

DATE: July 7, 2003

FROM: Patricia Van Gerpen

SUBJECT: Tourism’s June Monthly Status Report

Rural Tourism Development Spoke with representative of Cygnus Expositions regarding the addition of the Farm/Ranch Workshops to DakotaFest in 2004 and 2005.

Received information from Department of Agriculture regarding Tourism’s involvement in the South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Conference in March 2004. Will participate in a conference call in July to begin planning for this conference.

Public Relations Began compiling follow-up information/evaluations for report of the “Have You Been To…?” campaign for National Tourism Week (NTW). Will choose passport winner once all passport game booklets are returned. Tourism awarded $1,000 to an attendee of the customer service front-line training seminars as part of the NTW campaign.

Researched historic churches in South Dakota and made recommendations to Ideals Guide to Historic American Churches.

Worked with company for satellite feed of Fort Sisseton Historical Festival. Interviewed attendees, logged tape, and selected sound bites for transmission. Media tracking is in place.

Finalized plan for satellite feed of annual Jazz Fest in Sioux Falls in July. Drafted contract for satellite feed provider.

Contacted head of the National Cowboy Mounted Shooting (NCMS) Championships regarding their June 2004 event, and provided a variety of information to be used in their publications. Discussed further promotional opportunities for the event, which will draw more than 200 competitors, their families, and a number of vendors.

Interviewed and/or provided information/press kits to Fox affiliates in South Dakota, KDLT, Dakota Dunes – 30-sec commercial spot, and Sioux Falls Argus Leader on the Renaissance Festival and general travel trends thus far this year; Capitol City Journal for story on Lewis and Clark Trail Guide; for general travel information; Denver Post on Laura Ingalls Wilder; Richmond Daily Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 2 Times-Dispatch, Virginia, on Lewis and Clark; JLO Productions for Missouri River scenics; Shayam Balse, California, for Sturgis Rally footage and Black Hills shots for program on The Travel Channel; Vera Foss Bradshaw, , on the Vinegar Museum; Don Payne, Nevada; Rachael Reynolds, The Daily Journal, ; James Overton, New Mexico; Carleen Ramsey, , for Black Hills Trails and ATV riding information; Voice of America for South Dakota profile on national and international radio program; fact checked South Dakota information for Rand-McNally publication; South Dakota Public Radio for 2Nation Tours campaign; Premier Tourism Marketing on upcoming South Dakota articles in Leisure Group Travel and Travel Tips – made recommendations about places and events for inclusion in the publications; and freelance writer Jackie Johnson who is working on an upcoming South Dakota story in Motor Coach West.

Researched airline magazines and compiled list of editors and writers to contact with South Dakota story ideas.

Acquired the use of two Jet Skis for promotional purposes.

Press hits with circulation and estimated ad equivalence: Newspapers – Watertown Public Opinion (14,849) for ad equivalence of $766; Aberdeen American News (18,000) two articles for ad equivalence of $2,081; Sioux Falls Argus Leader (73,167) for ad equivalence of $73; Rapid City Journal (35,465) for ad equivalence of $396; and Capitol Journal (4,636) for ad equivalence of $21. Magazines – Midwest Living (830,000) for ad equivalence of $630,000; Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel (450,000) for ad equivalence of $120,000; and Mobil Motorist (400,000) for ad equivalence of $50,000. Radio – Dakota News Network’s On the Record (KOLY AM Mobridge and KGFX AM Pierre) for one hour for ad equivalency of $2,700. Web – MSNBC. Total ad equivalence is $806,037.

Group Tour Completed follow-up to group tour co-op to 96 tour companies returning coupon requesting additional information.

Mailed group tour co-op information and sign-up form to South Dakota’s 66 American Bus Association and National Tour Association members.

Drafted production schedule for group co-op ad for placement in the November issue of Destinations magazine (circulation of 6,000) and possibly another publication. An overrun of the co-op ad is printed so that Tourism can mail it to more than 3,000 domestic tour operators.

Mailed coupon and Lewis and Clark brochure to 1,368 domestic tour operators giving them the opportunity to request a Group Tour Planning Guide and other South Dakota publications via the coupon.

Attended meeting to discuss motorcoach weight limits with representatives from the Governor’s Office, Highway Patrol, and Department of Transportation.

Contacted Alex Johnson Hotel and Rapid City as they offered a South Dakota package via Ontour magazine, a trade publication, for the promotion on South Dakota and the Rocky Mountain International region.

Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 3 Along with representatives from the Great Lakes and the Cultural Heritage Center, Tourism staff met with owners of the Mule Head Ranch and Springer Ranch regarding regional and state promotions and ranches as vacation destinations.

Completed follow-up to 42 leads from TIA International Pow Wow in St. Louis.

Hosted Jacob Van Splunter, who is writing articles on Pierre, Deadwood, the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the George S. Mickelson Trail for outdoors magazines and travel magazines.

Sent group tour information to New Millennium Vacations, Colorado; Shockey Tours & Charters, Tennessee; Texas, New Mexico & Oklahoma Coach, Texas; Diane DeMuse and St. Francis Travelers, ; Frontier Tours & Travel, Nevada; Premier World Tours, Golden Gate Tours, and Tour America, California; Creative World Travel, Louisiana; Gray Line of the Black Hills; Famillion, Norway; RBFB Marketing, United Kingdom; Carol Ward, Australia; Care Free Getaways, Canada; and Jan Doets with American Travel, The Netherlands.

Hosted a journalist from the United Kingdom who is writing a book about the Wild West and Native American culture, called “Back in the Saddle.” He writes for the Guardian, a United Kingdom newspaper. He visited Rapid City, Deadwood, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and Custer.

Assisted a photographer from the United Kingdom with his itinerary for trip in June and July. He is interested in Real America – rodeos, working ranches, and pow wows. Provided several brochures and contact information.

Met with Tourism staff regarding BBC Holiday Travel as they plan to film a South Dakota feature in July/August. Also discussed ways to assist a journalist who is doing a feature article on movies filmed in South Dakota.

Attended See America Week, a journalist tradeshow in London with the Rocky Mountain International partner states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Trained United Kingdom tour operators and had appointments with 13 journalists.

Press hits with circulation include: Itinerari E Luoghi Trekking –article on Lewis and Clark Trail – 20 pages on the trail by Paolo Picciotto and Emanuela Ferro. Circulation 55,000, June 2003. They were hosted in South Dakota and the region in summer 2002. I Viaggi di Repubblica, monthly consumer magazine dedicated to travel, circulation 697,000, May 1, 2003, published eight pages on the Rocky Mountain International region, the Buffalo Roundup, the West, and cowboys. The article was written by Maria Grazia Casella with photographer Guido Cozzi, who attended the Buffalo Roundup three years ago. Corriere Della Sera is a daily newspaper with a circulation of 894,000. Their Sunday, May 1, 2003, edition featured a one-page article on Crazy Horse Memorial.

AAA/CAA Fulfilled requests to AAA/CAA offices and independent travel agencies in two Canadian provinces and the following states: California, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, , Missouri, Montana, , New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.

Charted states of origin of participants and sites/places in South Dakota where the AAA/CAA familiarization tour was hosted over the past four years. Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 4 Outdoors Received 1,777 fishing postcards back from the direct mail campaign to 13,000 people. This is a return of 13.7 percent. Contact winner of the fishing vacation, who is from Nebraska. Drafted planning worksheet for the update/reprint of the Hunting and Fishing Guide. Guide will be completed with assistance from the Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GF&P).

Worked with officials from GF&P to create maps of the birding trail sites for the Birding Trail Booklet. Delivery date is set for mid-July of 13,200 copies of the guides.

Worked with organizers on the location of a fall hunt for 15 writers and manufacturer representatives from Winchester, Ruger and Browning. Called a number of lodges regarding ability to host this group and guides regarding availability. Contacted some participants.

Provided information from various entities to organizers developing a pheasant hunt, ice-fishing trip, and game-feed. Contacted writers specializing in the wild-game cooking niche.

Lined up locations and writers for a mid-season duck hunt in northeast South Dakota. Writers represent WildFowl, Racine Journal Times (Wisconsin), Sports Afield, and Gun Dog.

Set up sites for filming fishing and hunting shows for Northland Adventures.

Met with group of journalists hosted by Dakota Arms. Discussed South Dakota outdoor opportunities and provided additional information. Sent letters and press kits to follow up with attendees.

Contacted a number of outfitters and guides statewide regarding promotional opportunities with Tourism, and how they can generate media write-ups and television series for their areas.

Contacted Pure Fishing of Iowa to obtain equipment for use in department hostings.

Will send Adventure Travel Guide booklet to printer in July.

Interviewed and/or provided information to America Outdoors magazine; Columbia Times and Steve Brigman for hunting information, Missouri; Traveling Wingshooter; Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, Arizona; and G-Man Outdoor Adventure, South Dakota.

Press hits with circulation and ad equivalence: Rapid City Journal (35,465) for ad equivalence of $595; Capital Journal (4,636) for ad equivalence of $84; and Sioux Falls Argus Leader (73,167) for ad equivalence of $2,190. Total ad equivalence is $2,869.

Film Office Continued to update crew/service listings on the film database. Continued to scan in photo files from various locations across the state.

Sent production guides to two film studios and NBC in California and one film studio in New York.

Contacted by North Dakota production company regarding their film. They are looking for theatres that have DVD projection capability. Provided information to organizers of the ReWind Film Festival. Planning on screenings, lectures, and other activities for the public. Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 5 Contacted for information regarding a music video shoot and to attend a meeting with several key individuals working on the project.

Contacted regarding a location scout for a TV series in production. Set up rooms and locations for the group.

Contacted regarding filming for vehicle commercials for the Badlands and Black Hills areas. Have provided information regarding specific locations and logistics.

Spoke with a filmmaker who is working on a commercial for the Ad Council of America. He is interested in filming on the Pine Ridge Reservation and using local crew. Contacted the Tribal Office and put them in touch with one another.

Contacted by a film representative from California regarding locations for a new major movie. Sent production files and guide. Contacted by a California filmmaker regarding a location in the Black Hills for a 35 millimeter feature film. Sent production guide and files.

Contacted by a North Carolina filmmaker regarding casting for his upcoming feature film.

Contacted production offices for two recent movies shot in the state to get crew listings for our files.

Spoke with representative from a production company who was looking for two re-enactors for a new TV series.

Information Centers May visitation at the 13 Information Centers on I-29 and I-90 was the highest on record showing an increase of 19.5 percent over May 2002; Canadian visitation was up 40.6 percent; and international visitation was up almost eight percent. Six of 31 motorcoaches contained international visitors. Travel tape rentals were up 25 percent over May 2002.

Sample visitor comment from comment cards: “I just wanted to thank the people of South Dakota for a wonderful vacation. All were truly pleasant, helpful and genuine. I will be back. Thank you, South Dakota.” Chicago, Illinois

Delivered two wheelchairs to the Lewis and Clark Information Center near Chamberlain.

Hospitality Have recognized 123 individuals/businesses with the Governor’s Certificate, 21 have received the foil star for a second recognition, and six have received a gold lapel pin for a third recognition. Reviewed nomination forms/letters for this program.

Organized “Have You Been To…?” front-line training seminars, conducted by Malcolm Chapman, in Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Watertown, Huron, and Pierre for 300 people. The total trained in May and June was 749. Sponsors of the June seminars included the Corn Palace CVB, Sioux Falls CVB, Watertown CVB, Huron Chamber and CVB, and Pierre Chamber and Tourism Bureau.

Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 6 Travel Shows Sent evaluation letters to the 40 co-op partners.

Compiled a list of the top 20 states for visitation, using stats from the Information Centers and industry members.

Drafted schedule for Tourism’s booth at the State Fair: “Lewis and Clark – Join the Journey.”

Inquiries Total FY2003 Inquiries through 07-01-03: Mail: 92,504 Internet (e-mail): 89,246 Phone: 26,636 Total: 208,386

Total FY2002 Inquiries through 07-01-02: Mail: 66,868 Internet (e-mail): 79,523 Phone: 56,549 Total: 202,940

This is an overall increase in inquiries of 2.7 percent over FY2002. (This does not include hits/visits to Tourism’s Web site.)

Calculated number of page views at 847,401 on Tourism’s travelsd.com web site for the period of June 1-30, 2003 (missing two days), for a daily average of 30,264 over a 28-day period. This compares to calculated page views of 863,658 for the period of June 1-30, 2002, (missing one day) for a daily average of 29,781 over a 29-day period. This is an increase in daily average of page views of 1.6 percent over a comparable time period in 2002. “Page views” represents the number of times each and every page within the web site is accessed.

Occupancy South Dakota Tourism Research – Motel Occupancy Region May 2003 May 2002 Difference Southeast 59.1% 66.0% -6.9% Glacial Lakes & Prairies 48.9 51.7 -2.7 * Great Lakes 44.5 55.2 -10.6 Black Hills/Badlands 51.6 54.9 -3.3 Statewide Avg. 52.3 57.2 -4.9 * The Great Lakes had previously been divided into two regions. The occupancy report’s regions will now coincide with the boundaries of the four geographic tourism associations/regions. For this region, the percentages from the two divisions from 2002 were averaged so that comparisons for 2003 could be made.

Lewis and Clark Promotions Mailed letters, application forms, and regulation flyers for the Signature Event Art Auction to nearly 400 Lakota, Nakota and Dakota artists. All applicants will mail their forms to the Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain.

Gave presentation on Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration to attendees of a Lyman County Chamber meeting in Presho. Discussed co-op programs. Distributed Annual Reports, Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 7 Lewis and Clark Trail Guides, American Indian booklets, Hunting and Fishing guides, and other materials.

Native American Tourism Development Attended an Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates (ATTA) meeting in Lower Brule. Discussed the Signature Event Art Show and Auction and reported on the mailings to Native American artists. Distributed extra copies of the applications for others to distribute.

Attended an Okiciapiye meeting in Mobridge.

Photo/Video Fulfilled photo/slide requests to State Publishing, Priority Management, Department of Game, Fish and Parks, and South Dakota Rural Electric Association, Pierre; Golden West Telecommunications, Rapid City; Sioux Falls Argus Leader; Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association and South Dakota magazine, Yankton; Bureau of Personnel and Outdoor Women of South Dakota, Sioux Falls; Far Country Press, Montana; American Bus Association, Washington DC; and American Cowboy magazine, Wyoming.

Fulfilled video requests: stock footage to ITN/5 News in London for use on an agricultural show, JLO Productions in Santa Fe for an outdoors show, JWM Productions in Maryland for an educational video and NBC News in New York; and Sturgis Rally footage to Motorcycle Madness TV and Midcontinent Communications in Sioux Falls for a commercial.

Travel Market Advertising Fulfilled requests for logos for Corn Palace Stampede poster; full Great Faces logo to Daktronics for giant screens at Mount Rushmore fireworks display and Rapid City CVB; and South Dakota script to Commerce and Regulation for use on heavy scale trucks.

Placement for fall Giant Step begins August 1 in the September/October issue of Midwest Living in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The rest of the inserts will be placed in October issues of Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Country Home, and More for a total reach to 1.5 million households. Will send fall Great Getaways to the printer in August and they will be placed in newspapers in early September in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba, reaching 900,000 households.

Placed full-page ads in the September/October issues of Sunset, Travel America, and AAA Home & Away.

Sent registration forms to visitor industry members announcing the new South Dakota Road Trip Co-op, which consist of five minute segments to be aired on Sunday nights on KELO after the 10:30 p.m. news.

Publications Researched, interviewed, and wrote stories for winter Travel Trade.

Updated Greenhorn’s Guide to Archaeology and Paleontology. Ordered 3,000 copies for delivery in July.

Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 8 Travel News Television Completed interviews and shot footage for TNT. Worked on final edits of video.

World Wide Web Scheduled photos for the iPIX option – preferred partner program – for properties listed on the Visitor Services Directory on travelsd.com. Will continue to schedule shoots as needed. At this point, there are 250 properties that have chosen the iPIX option.

Updated the virtual tour map for the Lewis and Clark site on travelsd.com. Completed updates/changes to Visitor Services Directory to show entries of 4,429 businesses, 43 vacation packages, and 41 coupons. Surveyed online vacation package contacts and online coupon partners. Will compile report of responses. New packages have been submitted for listing on seeamerica.com. Continued working on new design of travelsd.com web site.

Uploaded iPIX photos to filmsd.com. Worked on modifications to toursdakota.com.

Added the web cam at Crazy Horse Memorial to the web cam pages on travelsd.com.

Sent Travelsmart to 87,137 subscribers with links to new events and packages.

Mall of America Inquiries for May 2003 were up 9 percent over May 2002, and itinerary assistance requests were up 33 percent.

Research Contacted representatives of the Siouxland Renaissance Festival in Sioux Falls, the Deadwood Chamber and Visitors Bureau, and the Corn Palace in Mitchell regarding Intercept Study interviews at their events and place of business. Interviewed people from both inside and outside South Dakota’s target markets in Sioux Falls and Deadwood. Encoded survey responses from interviews at the Redlin Art Center, Siouxland Renaissance Festival, and the Corn Palace. Began encoding responses from the Wild Bill Hickok Days interviews. Contacted representative of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Society to arrange date for interviews in De Smet.

Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration Finalized plan for satellite feed fireworks display. Provided information to Bohan agency in Nashville to promote the event. Additional promotions will include fireworks photos online at mediasd.com immediately following the fireworks. Met with committee to decide on media to target, time to run feed, and travel arrangements. Feed is to go live July 3 at 9 p.m. MST and continue until 10:30 p.m. MST, looping the fireworks as necessary. Worked with representatives of Daktronics to coordinate cameras and cabling for the big screen projection.

Designed and arranged for the printing of flyers promoting activities at Mount Rushmore on July 3-4. Sent flyers to Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Association and Rapid City CVB to distribute in addition to our own distribution via Interstate Information Centers.

Governor’s Buffalo Roundup and Governor’s Invitational Pheasant Hunt Compiled lists of journalists, group tour operators, airline contacts, and film contacts to be considered for these events.

Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 9 Researched and contacted businesses regarding items for the events. Compiled mock-ups of the invitations.

Staff Development Attended the 2003 HOW Design Conference. Participated in several workshops and shared information with staff. Attended Media Relations Boot Camp.

Great Events Siouxland Renaissance Festival, June 7-8, Sioux Falls: Mailed 45 evaluation forms to event organizer and area businesses. Interviewed by a number of media regarding the event.

Wild Bill Hickok Days, June 13-15, Deadwood: Interviewed by media regarding the event and its significance on travel throughout the Black Hills. Mailed 50 evaluation forms to event organizer and area businesses.

Indian Day Celebration Pow Wow, June 20-22, Wagner: Mailed event postcard to 275 prospective visitors from Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Created and mailed 22 media teasers which consisted of fry bread mix, beaded key chains, event postcards, and flyers. Sent script of the radio ad to the Pow Wow committee. Sent event lapel buttons to the committee. Mailed evaluation forms to 24 businesses in Pickstown and Wagner.

Crystal Springs Ranch Rodeo, June 27-29, Clear Lake: E-mailed ads to five regional newspapers.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, July 11-13, 18-20, and 25-27, De Smet: Sent media teaser which included a corn cob doll to contacts in North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, and South Dakota. Wrote classified ad copy and sent to the Star Tribune and sent display ad to St. Cloud Times. Mailed approximately 1,200 oversized postcards to families in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa from our inquiry database.

Burke Stampede Rodeo, July 11-13, Burke: Mailed event lapel buttons to the committee who will distribute to Burke business employees to wear. Created a media teaser which consisted of an event poster and South Dakota stamped gloves. Sent committee a copy of the print ad and radio script ad. Designed newspaper ads and sent to Omaha World Herald, O’Neill Frontier/Holt County Independent, Norfolk Daily News, Springview Herald, and Midwest Messenger. Designed poster and sent to committee’s choice of printer.

Frontier Days, August 15-17, White River: Sent committee a mockup of the rack card for approval. Sent a copy of the display ad to them for their files.

Lewis and Clark Heritage Days, August 16-17 and 22, Elk Point: Confirmed schedule of events and contact number for ad materials and poster.

Harley Davidson’s 100th Anniversary Celebrations, “Thunder Across Dakota, August 23- 25, Sturgis, Pierre, and Sioux Falls: Received three versions of 94,000 flyers and sent to partners for distribution. Compiled list for direct mailing for Tourism’s supply of flyers. Will send specially designed event bandanas as media teasers.

Great Black Hills Quilt Show and Sale, September 7-10, Hill City: Repeated mailing of oversized postcards to group tour operators. Tourism’s June 2003 Monthly Status Report Page 10

Mickelson Trail Trek, September 19-21, Custer: Sent bid letters out for the event poster and forwarded to Parks and Wildlife as they will pay for the printing. Will mail posters to 200 bike clubs and shops out-of-state and use in media teasers. Received over 200 mini first aid kits from Department of Game, Fish and Parks for registration packets. Tourism staff will be the liaison between the Mickelson Trail Trek committee and the Rapid City Journal for advertising purposes.

Corn Palace Polka Festival, September 19-21, Mitchell: Wrote 30 second radio spot.

Webster Area Pumpkin Festival, October 10-11, Webster: Designed postcard for direct mail.

Sacagawea Unity Fest, October 10-11, Mobridge: Finalized marketing plan/budget. Will write ad copy for the event per information received from local committee. Provided contact information for this event for travel directory ad to be in Midwest Living.

Department Funding Deadwood gaming revenue deposited for May 2003 was down 19.2 percent at $159,458, as compared to $190,034 for May 2002. The tourism tax deposited for April 2003 was up 5.2 percent at $168,013, compared to $159,744 for April 2002. The tourism tax deposited for May 2003 was down 1.0 percent at $153,792, compared to $155,319 for May 2002. Revenue deposits for Tourism for FY2003 are $5,960,915, as compared to $5,648,372 for FY2002. This is an increase in revenue of 5.5 percent when comparing the same time period in FY2002.