Tourism’s May Monthly Status Report Page 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Jim Hagen DATE: June 7, 2005 FROM: Billie Jo Waara SUBJECT: Tourism’s May Monthly Status Report 2010 Initiative Placed link from 2010Initiative.com to view 2010 DVD. Rural Tourism Development Participated in a Value Added Ag Conference meeting to discuss the 2006 conference, March 14, in Brookings. Toured a ranch bed and breakfast near Faith, which offers a number of different hunting packages, horseback riding, and ranch experiences. Discussed a variety of marketing opportunities available. Toured lodge near Belle Fourche to discuss the international market and how to become involved in Tourism’s programs. Met with the Edgemont Chamber and members of the community to tour and discuss the development of a recreational trail in Craven Canyon. Provided resource information to assist in the development process and discussed marketing opportunities once the trail is completed. Attended the Trail Capital of South Dakota Steering committee meeting in Pierre to discuss promotions of the recreational trails that are found in the Pierre area and activities of the Tour de Kota bike ride. Participated in a conference call for the newly formed Agricultural Alliance to discuss ideas for an agricultural conference in Chamberlain in the fall. The Agri * Cultural Alliance (ACA) was formed from individuals that attended the Yankton Arts and Tourism Workshop in April. The first ACA meeting was held in Brookings. The group, made up of arts and tourism representatives and professors from South Dakota State University, discussed a proposed Cultural/Heritage and Agri Tourism conference to be held in October in Chamberlain at Cedar Shore Resort. Will assist the funding committee to find financial resources and the program committee to identify speakers for the conference. Public Relations Completed activities/ads planned for National Tourism Week. Campaign was based on an “Explore South Dakota” theme, and included newspaper advertisements, media interviews, fast fact cards, trivia and Internet-based promotions. Staff also assisted in Vacation Planning Day at Citibank in Sioux Falls. Finalized arrangements for the following hostings: Travel writer Fred Eckert, Copley News Service, for a feature on Custer State Park. Tom Uhlenbrock and a photographer for the July 3 travel section of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Finalized itinerary for The Weather Channel. Segments to air at various times during programming in a ‘Road Crew’ segment: Lewis and Clark, Badlands, archaeological digs, and state parks. Lined up interview subjects and locations for KSTP Television for filming segments called “On the Road.” Developed itinerary for TravelAmerica magazine editor on a horseback and history trip in the Great Lakes region. Fact checked copy on a South Dakota profile for writer for Canadian Traveller magazine. Forwarded information on Deadwood’s Oktoberfest to freelance writer on assignment for Trailer Life magazine. Tourism’s May Monthly Status Report Page 2 Provided information on a variety of topics and/or live interviews: KSOO Radio, KXRB, WNAX, KELO AM, Dakota Radio Group, KCCR, KSDR, KWAT’s What’s Up?, Watertown Public Opinion, KSOO’s Viewpoint University, KCCR’s morning show, KJJQ's Afternoon Smorgasbord, South Dakota Public Radio’s Forum Newshour, KWYR, and Michigan Talk Radio Network’s The Travel Queen. Total ad equivalence of $2,755. Sent press kit and/or information to Ruth Chin, freelance writer/photographer, Indiana; Jason Davis, KSTP-TV, St. Paul, Minnesota; Lake Life magazine; The Mini Page; Midwest Living; AAA Living; and Cosmopolitan. Press hits with circulation and estimated ad equivalence include: Rapid City Journal (31,183) four articles for ad equivalence of $2,023; Aberdeen American News (16,915) four articles for ad equivalence of $2,592; Capital Journal (4,654) two articles for ad equivalence of $168; Mitchell Daily Republic (11,650) for ad equivalence of $372; Argus Leader (52,850) three articles for ad equivalence of $1,038; St. Paul Pioneer Press (254,078 – Sunday) for ad equivalence of $17,762; Heartland USA (1,200,000) May/June 2005 for ad equivalence of $110,250; and The Upland Almanac (75,00) Summer 2005 fir ad equivalence of $1,500. Total ad equivalence of $135,705. Group Tour Submitted three South Dakota events for American Bus Association’s top 100 Events in North America for 2006. During National Tourism Week, we arranged a “meet and greet” to welcome motorcoach groups that were in the state. Chambers and property owners were invited for the activity. Three of the eight groups were international: Anaheim – a mixed group from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany; Rochester, Minnesota – German; and a group brought by American Ring Travel. Along with five South Dakota visitor industry partners, we met with 66 international tour operators and journalists during the Travel Industry Association of America Pow Wow in New York. As a side note, representative from Crazy Horse reported that she tracks their group tours and 20% of their motorcoach groups are international. Received verbal report from Avis/Budget representative in Rapid City that their international FIT numbers are a significant portion of their business, especially in shoulder seasons. In September/October he reports also that DERTOUR, one of the largest tour operators in Germany, rents at least one car per day. Sent requested information to Humble Travel and Northland Tours, Iowa; Bilbrey Tours, Texas: Shubat, Group Travel Masters/FEAST group, Minnesota; Cajun Tours, Louisiana; Kerr Holiday Tours, Michigan; Roy Cushing, Nebraska; Capitol Tours, Illinois; Jetsave, Inc. and Carol McLoud, California; Hagerstown Friends Tour Company, Maryland; Wells Gray Tours Ltd, British Columbia; Fehr-Way Tours and Donna Billey, Manitoba; John Vetch, John Lewis Partnership, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, and Horse & Hound, United Kingdom; William Hide, Australia; Turisme Juvenil de Catalunya, S.A., Spain; Vacances Air Transit, France; and Matteo Brogi, Italy. Received inquiries from 11 tour operators as a result of the ad in Group Travel Organiser and article written by Godfrey Hall, United Kingdom. Registered 18 participants for the 2Nation Tours to take place in June called Legends, Landscapes and Lewis and Clark. Stops include the Black Hills, Badlands National Park, and a portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Prepared itinerary and escorted United Airlines Fam tour of eight tour operators and media from Taiwan to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Rapid City for a chuck wagon dinner and overnight. Outdoors Created an online survey form on TravelSD.com for those requesting fishing packets from the fishing postcard direct mailing. Contest was posted on a sweepstakes site so received large volume of surveys. Worked with Pierre-based outfitter on trails along the Missouri River to attract media to this new trail ride opportunity. Assisting in the development of horseback and hiking trails in the Badlands and Custer State Park. Tourism’s May Monthly Status Report Page 3 Sent Outdoor News to approximately 3,000 outdoor writers. Stories include Lake Oahe, late-season pheasant hunting, bald eagle watching, goose hunting, biking across South Dakota, and the Fort Pierre National Grasslands. Hosted Backroads with Ron and Raven and film crew on a trip to the Glacial Lakes Region on fishing South Dakota’s Glacial Lakes for footage for two shows, “Backroads with Ron and Raven” and “Minnesota Bound.” Minnesota Bound will air in June. Missouri River Fishing in June to showcase fishing on the Missouri River for seven media to target larger market newspapers in Fargo, Omaha, and Minneapolis. Mailed press kits and/or other information to Dennis Scharadin, outdoor writer, Pennsylvania; and Rich Patterson, outdoor writer, Iowa. Film Office Coordinated installation of signs promoting filming location for Hidalgo. Possible installation of the signs for Skins will be coordinated with Pine Ridge officials. Researched and drafted proposal for changes to FilmSD.com. Drafted RFP. Researched film guides from other states and charted differences and similarities to review for possible changes to Office of Tourism’s next directory. Placed ad in LA411. Spoke to 48 Hour Film Project event organizer and requested information on a sponsorship package. This is an international event being hosted and planned by Aberdeen representatives in July. Tourism will distribute a press release that will serve as a call to filmmakers for the event. Attended the Native Voice Film Festival in Rapid City. Was a sponsor of the event. Attended a reception for the filmmakers of “A Thousand Roads.” Continued working with an independent filmmaker from Sioux Falls, who is currently filming a movie in Sioux Falls. Discussed the upcoming CMT filming of Big and Rich’s concert on Main Street of Deadwood with Deadwood Chamber Director. Spoke with contact from The Journey Museum regarding their reception to be held before the premiere of Into the West at the Elks Theater. Fulfilled request from an individual in California for an indoor photo of an older arena – contacted photographer in Sioux Falls. Compiled a list of production assistants and sent to Top Spin Creative, a Japanese television company based in New York City, for a shoot in the Black Hills. Mailed posters of Dances with Wolves to the Watertown Mall for a summer promotion. Compiled a list of production companies in the Southeast region and sent to a filmmaker planning a documentary. Faxed a letter to the BBC in the United Kingdom, regarding film permit requirements in South Dakota, for possible shoot in June. Discussed possible funding sources in South Dakota with contact from AFCI Locations Tradeshow. Researched filming locations and production companies per request from South Dakota Public Broadcasting and sent information along with how to get permission to use footage. Mailed productions guides to AFCI Tradeshow contacts and film producer and production company, California. Sent a letter to lead location scout for HBO’s Deadwood encouraging him to visit South Dakota and offered support of the Film Office on any of his projects.