FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 17, 2003

Contact: Nicole Nordbye (605) 773-3301 nicole.nordbye@state.sd.us      

               Bill Honerkamp (605) 355-3600 Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes              

              Rosie Smith (605) 886-7305 Glacial Lakes and Prairies

              Sharla Garrett (605) 224-4617 Great Lakes

              Jacquie Fuks (605) 665-2435 Southeast

REGIONAL TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS RECEIVE PROMOTIONAL FUNDS TO ASSIST SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITIES

The South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development is directing funds to South Dakota's four regional tourism associations to assist member communities that advertise in the 2004-05 South Dakota Vacation Guide.

For more than 20 years the Department of Tourism and State Development has provided cash rebates to cities that advertised in the South Dakota Vacation Guide, the publication the department uses to fulfill most visitor inquiries. Advertising space in each of the regional sections is sold by the respective association. The associations use the revenue generated by the ad sales to conduct other promotions of their regions on behalf of members.  

"The rebate program was established as an effort to encourage communities to promote themselves to visitors," said John Calvin, secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development. "For the past 10 years of the program's history, the department assisted cities that advertised in the Vacation Guide by not only providing a cash rebate, but also by designing the ads for the cities at no cost." 

In order to receive the rebate, city advertisers agreed to follow specific standards developed by the department and the four regional tourism associations. The five partners share the publishing duties of the guide. City advertisers were required to apply for the rebate.    

The four associations, Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes, Glacial Lakes and Prairies Tourism Association, Great Lakes of South Dakota Association and Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association will receive a total of $175,000 from the state in fiscal year 2004, with this change. This amount includes the rebate total plus a 20 percent increase, as well as funds the regional associations receive annually from the department for marketing that complements the state's promotional efforts.

"By transferring the rebate funds to the regional associations to administer, our department is giving control of the Vacation Guide city rebate program to our regional partners," said Calvin. "The regional associations know the needs of their visitor industry members. The associations know how to market their area, they understand the value of advertising in the Vacation Guide and they will preserve the integrity of the guide by creating exceptional, eye-catching and informative ads." 

Call 1-800-S-DAKOTA (1-800-732-5682) for a copy of the 2003-04 South Dakota Vacation Guide or order online at travelsd.com.

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