After a thorough review of last year's event and input from local communities, the SD Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Business Day Committee determined that further condensing the day would be beneficial. To address already busy schedules and minimize time away, they have established an informative, interesting event that allows for active participation while maintaining an efficiency of time.  

This event is time well spent to stay informed of trending issues, vote your opinions during Business Caucus and network with business and community peers and legislative leaders from across the state. Here is this year's schedule.  

1:30 p.m.          Registration opens at the Ramkota
2-3:30 p.m.       Legislative Update and the annual Business Caucus (audience response

session)

3:30-5 p.m.       Open Schedule - Time to view the legislative process at the Capitol
4 p.m.              Update at Capitol (Addressing a timely issue being debated by the Legislature)
5-7 p.m.           Reception (co-sponsored by Economic Development offices) and

Manufacturer's Showcase.

In lieu of the traditional banquet, PEDCO and other sponsors will provide heavy hors d'oeuvres and extended time for networking.

6-6:30 p.m.       Business Day Program and Awards Presentations

Guest Speaker: US Chamber President Tom Donohue has been invited

7 p.m.              Adjourn
  
If you are able to attend Business Day, the online registration at www.sdchamber.biz is up and running. Register by Friday, Feb. 9, for reduced fees: Full registration for the day is $85 - Reception and banquet only is $70. After February 9, rates increase. Fee for the legislative update, luncheon, and Business Caucus only is $50. For registration assistance, call Shavonne Mitchell at 1-800-742-8112.   

The South Dakota Tourism Conference was once again a huge success. The conference offered keynote speakers and several breakout sessions. The attendees walked away with solid steps that we can all use to improve tourism in our communities. Pierre is very fortunate that this conference is held here. The economic impact is evident with money being spent for lodging, food, gas and shopping.

This year I traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for American Bus Association Marketplace. The ABA Marketplace is considered to be the core for the group travel industry. I met face-to-face with tour operators in prescheduled appointments. The appointments are the nucleus of the event. I also attended numerous networking opportunities and educational seminars.

In February I will attend Pheasant Fest in Schaumberg, Illinois. Pheasant Fest sets attendance records year after year. This is just one of the shows that the Pierre CVB coordinates that the Pierre BID #1 funds. The other shows will be in Kansas City, Eau Clair, Lincoln, and St. Cloud.

We love our members, and February 14 ^th is the day to let you know! The Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce will once again be distributing our new 2019 Membership Plaques throughout the day to thank you for investing in your chamber!

The Chamber's mission is to further the interests of businesses - to advocate on their behalf and provide needed services and opportunities for growth. We want to be your voice; we are eager to help you succeed, and we believe that when you're successful, our entire community benefits from that success. Displaying your membership plaque in your window or on your door for your customer to see helps solidify that mission.

We can't wait to see you on Valentine's day; and if you are out of town, be watching for your plaque in the mail!

The Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce LOVES our members! Happy Valentine's Day and thank you for investing in your Chamber <3

South Dakota Community Foundation
1714 N. Lincoln Ave.

It's Show Time!

 

South Dakota Missouri River Tourism (SDMRT) is one of the four tourism regions in the state, representing the 17 counties on both sides of the Missouri River - from the ND border to the NE & IA borders. SDMRT was formed by Governor Nils Boe after the dams were built and the organization was tasked with working to provide access to the river for residents and non-residents. Originally it was known as Great Lakes of SD Association, but six years ago became Missouri River Tourism Association. All the regions are non-profit membership based.

 

One of the marketing campaigns we take on each year is Sports & Travel Shows. During the months of January through March we attend 5 to 6 shows, all in our target market area. Those target areas consist of states where visitors can easily visit and explore some part of our beautiful Missouri River.

 

We are often asked how we quantify the shows - how do we evaluate the results from the shows and how do we know if attending the shows has been valuable to the river area. We evaluate them in 3 areas: 1) Where the show is located, what is their attendee numbers and where are the attendees coming from - are they in the areas that will be a benefit to our members; 2) How much visitor information is distributed at the show; and, 3) What do the show attendees tell us - what questions do they ask and what are they looking for - are they looking for hunting or fishing, culture or history or outdoor recreation? We listen carefully! And, we make sure that the people representing our organization at the shows know the answers to questions that they might encounter and that they represent our membership to the fullest.

 

In 2019 we will be represented at St. Paul, MN; Council Bluffs, IA; Wausau, WI, Omaha, NE; Milwaukee, WI and Omaha, NE. The organization also offers a coop buy in for our members where we take a number of their brochures to each of the shows. For information on SD Missouri River Tourism, please email [email protected] or visit www.sdmissouririver.com 

The fi fth session of Leadership Pierre, held on January 3, focused on media and education. The group toured KCCR and the Capital Journal, had thought-provoking sessions with Patrick Callahan of Lifewrx Media LLC, 

Tony Mangan of the Public Information Office for SD Public Safety, Dr. Jay Perry of Academic Affairs, Chris Maxwell of CUC, and both Super Intendents Dr. Kelly Glodt and Dr. Joel Price, as well as Mary Stadick Smith, the interim South Dakota Secretary of Education. Leadership Pierre wrapped up the day with a tour of the T.F. Riggs High School with Assistant Principal Rob Coverdale. The objective for Session 5 was to learn how to communicate effectively using the media in our community, and to understand the k-12 and higher education opportunities in the Pierre/Fort Pierre area.