South Dakota is a place that inspires adventure, where planners can build a meeting itinerary that showcases the state’s rugged and pioneering spirit.
From natural treasures in the Rapid City area and the intriguing Wild West history in Deadwood to the strong Native American heritage in Sioux Falls South Dakota delivers for groups who enjoy history and getting outdoors.
Rapid City
Rapid City’s founders billed it the “Gateway to the Black Hills,” and it gained momentum as a point of entry for wagons hauling supplies to gold miners.
Today, according to Lisa Storms, sales and servicing director at the Rapid City CVB, meetings encompass the area’s rugged, pioneering spirit via its landmarks and natural treasures.
“Meet-and-greets include the mountain-carved faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial, refreshment breaks take you to the dancing fountains of Main Street Square and fresh mountain lakes of the Black Hills, and our breakout sessions will take your breath away with out-of-this-world scenery like the landscapes you’ll find in Badlands National Park,” she says.
Mount Rushmore, the impressive grouping of four leaders who were instrumental in the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the U.S., is a must-visit experience for groups. As is the Crazy Horse Memorial, which honors North American Indians and is currently the world’s largest ongoing sculpture.
“Badlands National Park is what we refer to as our version of the Grand Canyon,” Storms adds, explaining that millions of years of wind, water and erosion have created the chiseled spires, deep canyons and jagged buttes.
Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park are both unique to the Black Hills, Storms adds.
“Jewel Cave contains the most variety of rare formations, and Wind Cave is the longest cave in the world,” she says. PageBreak
Deadwood
Deadwood, formed as a base camp for adventurers looking for gold in the rugged Black Hills, attracted merchants who sold everything from coffee to pickaxes and coffins, according to Lee Harstad, spokesman for the Deadwood COC and Visitors Bureau.
“So, you could say Deadwood has always had a knack for customer service,” he says. “And that’s even more so now, as business throughout Deadwood caters to groups, and there’s plenty of activities to keep conventioneers busy when sessions break.”
For starters, visitors to Deadwood, which was lawless upon its founding in 1876, can walk in the footsteps of historic legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen, who are all depicted in the critically acclaimed HBO series Deadwood.
“Deadwood was founded on gold, guns and guts,” Harstad says.
Situated in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest, Deadwood today is a gateway for adventure-seekers interested in rock climbing, ice climbing, off-road Jeep touring, fishing and more.
Located just outside Deadwood is Mt. Roosevelt, named after President Theodore Roosevelt, a close friend to Seth Bullock.
“Mt. Roosevelt includes a historic fire-watchtower, with views of the open plains to the north of Deadwood, into North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana,” Harstad says.
Spearfish
Once the Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876 began, Spearfish became a supplier of farmed goods to the mining camps in the hills. Today Spearfish, situated at the mouth of Spearfish Canyon and bordered by Black Hills National Forest, touts itself as “naturally inviting.”
Fly-fishing, rock climbing and other outdoor pursuits are popular here, as are outings to Circle B Ranch for horse rides, barbecue and an authentic cowboy music show. PageBreak
Sioux Falls
The first people to the area were the Sioux Tribe of American Indians, who settled around the Falls of the Big Sioux River. According to Krista Orsack, director of sales and marketing at the Sioux Falls CVB, European descendants followed in the early 1800s, building and starting the first industries by utilizing the power of the falls.
Today, Falls Park hosts opening receptions and other off-site functions for convention groups, and local golf courses and Clay Bird Shotgun Sports make for fun group outings.
“Groups can learn about the great outdoors of Sioux Falls and South Dakota at the Outdoor Campus,” she adds. “It’s a great location for group outings and small meetings, with fishing, kayaking, archery and more.”
Pierre
Named after Pierre Chouteau Jr., an American fur trader of French origin, Pierre is the capital of South Dakota and enjoys a central location in the state.
Options for planners wishing to infuse some rugged, pioneering energy into a meeting itinerary include the Lewis and Clark Family Center and the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Museum, while outdoor pursuits range from kayaking to hiking.
Huron
Huron is home to the South Dakota State Fair, held annually around Labor Day, and “The World’s Largest Ringnecked Pheasant,” a 28-foot, 22-ton sculpture that affirms the city’s status as a top pheasant-hunting destination.
Fishing and camping are also popular pursuits in the Huron area, which features three golf courses.PageBreak
Aberdeen
Aberdeen, while considered the prairie region, is also part of the glacial lakes region, according to Brenda Moore, executive director at the Aberdeen Area CVB.
“Highway 12, which runs through our city, is the original Yellowstone Trail,” she says. “What began as a 26-mile stretch of road turned into a 1,200-mile dream. Eventually the trail became the nation’s first transcontinental highway stretching from the Atlantic Ocean on to Puget Sound.”
Today, area tours are popular with groups. Among them are various agritourism tours and Hutterite Colony Tours, which offers groups a glimpse at the Hutterite people and their unique culture, which has changed little in more than 400 years.
Watertown
During the 1880s, Watertown prospered as a transportation hub after the railroads extended farther west. Today, outdoorsy groups will be at home here, as fishing and hunting are major draws of the area.
Lake Kampeska and Lake Pelican, located just outside the city, provide ample fishing throughout the year, according to the Watertown CVB.
Pheasant, duck and goose hunting is also available minutes from town.
After an outing in the rough, groups might like to learn about the area at the Codington County Heritage Museum.
Contributing writer carolyn blackburn would like to take a hike at Badlands National Park.
