There’s a certain charm about South Dakota that can be hard to describe unless you’ve been there. Of course, there are the many famous attractions, such as Deadwood, Falls Park, the Black Hills and Badlands, Mount Rushmore or even the impressive–yet still unfinished–Crazy Horse Memorial. But there’s also what could be called the “South Dakota spirit” that resides within the state’s rich culture and diverse communities.
South Dakota can offer many surprises for groups, from one-of-a-kind meeting spaces and new developments to its growing culinary and arts scene.
Sioux Falls
There’s a lot to be excited about in Sioux Falls. Not only is it the largest city in South Dakota, and perhaps the most capable of holding national meetings and events, but it’s also growing in population, as reflected by the development of several new downtown lofts and living spaces.
“Being South Dakota’s largest city, I think that sets us apart as far as in-state competition goes. The flight service we have, the entertainment venues, the food and arts and culture are all strong points,” says Krista Orsack, director of marketing for the Sioux Falls CVB.
With the addition of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, adding 30,000 square feet of flat floor space for tradeshows and other events, 2014 was a big year for Sioux Falls. The center is located adjacent to the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Arena. There is over 139,000 square feet of total space between the facilities, with flexible meeting and event space for groups of up to 25,000 when utilizing the entire complex.
Other recent developments include the 162-acre Sanford Sports Complex and The River Greenway Project, consisting of an amphitheater, walking and bike trails and more.
Hotels continue to expand and thrive in the area, with meetings mainstays such as the 243-room Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel (attached to the convention center) and the 228-room Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel (offering 60,000 square feet of meeting space) continuing to be popular choices for groups. In addition, four new hotels are set to open by spring 2015.
And with downtown growth comes innovative culinary experiences. The New York Times recently featured Sioux Falls as a rising foodie destination, to the surprise of many big city readers.
“Not only do we have a diverse lineup of restaurants, but our convention center is very accommodating for groups with vegan and gluten-free requests,” Orsack says. “Food events continue to be a big deal throughout Sioux Falls, and there’s a challenge to come up with different themes for each event.”
Local dining establishments with group space available include Foleys Fish Chop & Steak House, with a banquet room for up to 100, and Spezia, an Italian restaurant that can comfortably accommodate groups in the 50 to 75 person range, though the venue is flexible.
Rapid City
While Visit Rapid City’s slogan has changed a few times over the years, a trend that Meetings Focus has covered in the past, “Do Big Things” continues to remain the most appropriate.
“We’ve got such a vibrant downtown that has developed and grown at lightning speed and some really cool things are coming out of that,” says Stacie Granum, director of marketing for the Rapid City CVB.
Construction on the Memorial Park Promenade was completed in late 2014, creating a landscaped walkway that connects the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to downtown Rapid City, which is going through a creative renaissance in its local arts scene.
The Sculpture Project: Passage of Wind & Water is an ongoing multimillion-dollar public art project, led by sculpture artist Masayuki Nagase, that will ultimately feature 21 different granite sculptures throughout the city’s Main Street Square district, representing the region’s past, present and future. Nagase completed work on the first eight stones between July 2013 and October 2014. He will resume work on the project in June 2015, and it is scheduled for completion in 2017.
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Art Alley is another public art project consisting of free-form graffiti artwork and murals that started in 2005. It is located between 6th and 7th streets downtown and has received widespread media attention.
Outside of the arts scene, a number of new hotel projects and renovations are scheduled for the upcoming year, including a full renovation this spring of the iconic Hotel Alex Johnson’s guest rooms as the property transitions into Hilton’s Curio collection of hotels. The hotel’s largest meeting room, Yesterday’s Ballroom, can accommodate up to 200 attendees theater style.
Deadwood
Deadwood is often associated with the Old West due to its gold rush roots. However, these days the city is becoming well-known among groups for its luxurious resort hotels and spa getaways.
“Deadwood is a tucked away destination for meetings that offers the best of both worlds—uncrowded beauty and all the amenities of metropolitan offerings,” says Lee Harstad, executive director for the Deadwood COC and Visitors Bureau. “We have plenty of options for groups, from big, upscale resorts and tech-savvy facilities to highly historic properties for a truly unique experience.”
In February, Deadwood was featured on an episode of The Bachelor that included the Victorian-themed Martin & Mason Hotel and the Deadwood Mountain Grand Holiday Inn among its backdrops. Martin & Mason offers an 1898 Grand Olympic Ballroom with reception space for up to 220. Meanwhile, the Deadwood Mountain Grand’s Grand Event Center can accommodate up to 2,500 attendees.
Akela Spa, located a mile east of Deadwood, remains a popular option for attendees looking to unwind, and it recently opened a new satellite location within the Deadwood Mountain Grand.
Aberdeen
Not many people know that Aberdeen, set in the northern part of the state, is South Dakota’s third-largest city. It also was referred to as “the pheasant capital of the world” by Outdoor Life magazine.
And now meeting planners are starting to realize that the city can provide some one-of-a-kind opportunities with a personal touch for groups.
“We offer a lot of convention services to help planners, including registration, a mayor’s welcome, signage and banners—things like that,” says Sabrina Metz, marketing, sales and events specialist with the Aberdeen Area CVB. “We’ll also do group tours, where attendees can visit the Hutterite Colony close to our area, and we do a lot of agritourism at the ethanol plant or cattle ranch, as well as downtown tours, and shopping and spa days for spouse events.”
The Grassland Hutterite Colony is made-up of a population that fashions its own clothing, handcrafts furniture and lives in a self-sustaining community, whose culture has thrived in the area.
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Aberdeen features 1,046 hotel rooms within city limits, and its largest venue is the Aberdeen Civic Arena and Theatre, which can host over 4,000 people. This provides an opportunity for nearby smaller towns within 50 miles to accommodate groups with additional lodging.
Featuring over 24,000 square feet of space, the Dakota Event Center can host up to 2,000 attendees for meetings and events, while the attached Holiday Inn and Hampton hotels provide lodging for up to 150.
Watertown
Watertown sits near the eastern border of South Dakota, making it an ideal location for tri-state meetings between Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.
“Watertown is a smaller community, so when convention and group business comes to town, they’re probably the only show on the road; they’re not competing with other large conventions,” says Karen D. Witt, executive director with the Watertown CVB.
The 32,000-square-foot Watertown Event Center is the largest meeting facility in town, with 17 separate meeting rooms that can easily accommodate around 500 to 800 attendees for a convention.
The Redlin Art Center is the most popular off-site venue, featuring over 150 original oil paintings by artist Terry Redlin who was born and raised in Watertown and famous for painting outdoor themes and wildlife.
Pierre
South Dakota’s capital city, Pierre, is centrally located within the state. It’s a small historic city, and its location along the Missouri River allows for some inspiring sights, while also providing smaller groups the perfect spot for a meeting that can be paired up with an outdoor excursion.
The Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center is a popular choice for meetings, offering over 24,000 square feet of space, and its Grand Galleria room can seat up to 1,500 theater style.
River Rock Lodge sits on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. The property contains 10 rooms and 35 beds, marketing itself as having an ideal atmosphere for corporate retreats and group hunting progams.
Huron
While traveling along Highway 14 in eastern South Dakota, many a traveler has encountered a massive pheasant with a sign declaring Huron “Home of the World’s Largest Pheasant.”
And while this tale of the world’s largest pheasant may not be historically accurate, it’s definitely a way to get your name out there. And what attendee wouldn’t want to snap a photo with a 28-foot-tall pheasant?
All fun aside, Huron is home to a number of facilities that cater to the midsize meetings market, including the Huron Event Center, Crossroads Hotel and Huron Arena, providing 34,000 square feet of combined space.
Recreational opportunities in the area include those at the South Dakota State Fair, the Dakota State Speedway and the annual South Dakota BBQ Championships in June.
Spearfish
Located about 20 minutes north of Deadwood in the northern Black Hills area, Spearfish has become a draw for adventure-seeking groups in both the summer and winter months with its outdoor pursuits.
When not hiking along the Crow Peak and Beaver Ridge Spur Trails, groups can meet at the 12,000-square-foot Spearfish Convention Center and the adjacent Spearfish Holiday Inn.
Additional venues of interest in the area include Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Matthews Opera House & Arts Center, and the 3,300-square-foot Bella Luce banquet hall with a rooftop terrace.
