Diane Hiles
Chair,International Snowmobile Congress 2016 Committee
South Dakota Snowmobile Association
De Smet, SD
Briefly state what your job entails and what type of meeting you held in Rapid City?
As chair, I was responsible for the planning and coordination of the 48th International Snowmobile Congress (ISC), hosted by the South Dakota Snowmobile Association (SDSA) at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Rapid City in June 2016.
The ISC brought together over 400 snowmobilers from across 22 Snowbelt states and 10 Canadian provinces. There were seven different organizations that held various business meetings, educational sessions and fundraising events throughout ISC, along with a trade show involving 24 vendor booths and displays.
Was anyone particularly helpful in executing your event?
Lisa Storms, director of convention sales with the Rapid City CVB, was our go-to person throughout the event planning—from our very first “should we do this type of meeting” back in February 2013 to follow-up reminders of things to finish just days after the event. Other helpful CVB staff members included Tyson Steiger and Ally Formanek.
Gloria Roseland, director of catering at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, provided a wealth of experience and expertise as we laid out our meeting agenda, trade show options and food and beverage planning.
What do your attendees seem to enjoy the most about Rapid City?
We focused on Mount Rushmore as our premier off-site event, which included a chuckwagon supper and awesome cowboy entertainment at Ft. Hayes before heading up to Mt. Rushmore for the lighting ceremony. We also offered an optional tour to the Mt. Rushmore Black Hills Gold Factory, as well as a motorcycle tour, guided by our own SDSA members, though the Northern Hills and on to Devils Tower.
Because Rapid City is a central location for all attendees, we found many drove to the event in lieu of flying so they were able to come early, stay late and enjoy all that the Black Hills area has to offer, including a wine/brewery tour to the Hill City area and a Northern Hills tour to Deadwood.
Are there any experiences you would recommend for groups meeting in Rapid City?
If the event is planned for the winter months, do not miss out on the opportunity to experience the Black Hills on a snowmobile. The Black Hills Trail System is a top snowmobile designation with 350 miles of well-marked and well-groomed trails that provide breathtaking winter scenery.
Would you return/recommend it to other meeting planners?
After hosting an event like ISC 2016 in Rapid City, I would easily return and just as easily highly recommend Rapid City as a host location for any group.
