The Visitor Beat
Welcome to The Visitor Beat, the monthly newsletter of Experience Sioux Falls. Stay up-to-date on what's going on locally in the travel industry, as well as what's trending nationally.
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Visitor Industry Award Winners
Several visitor industry standouts were recognized in front of a crowd of over 550 people during Experience Sioux Falls’ annual Visitor Industry Luncheon on Tuesday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
The Hospitality Award recognizes a person or business who works at an attraction, hotel, restaurant or retail, and who comes in direct contact with visitors and consistently provides extraordinary customer service.
- Hospitality Award – Attraction: Diane Olson, volunteer with Levitt at the Falls and Sioux Falls State Theatre
- Hospitality Award – Hotel: Barb Auch, Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls South
- Hospitality Award – Restaurant: Jessica Reichert, Phillips Avenue Diner
- Hospitality Award – Retail: Sarah Wheeler, Delta Airlines – Sioux Falls Regional Airport
The Heart of the City Award recognizes a person or business who has made a significant contribution to the visitor industry through inspiration, spirit, and excellent leadership.
- Don Kearney, Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation, retired
Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken was presented with the Star Award for his leadership, support, and admiration of the visitor industry during his two terms as Mayor of Sioux Falls.
Outgoing Sioux Falls City Council members Curt Soehl, David Barranco, and Vernon Brown were also recognized during the event for their time serving.
Pictured alongside each award winner is Experience Sioux Falls CEO Teri Schmidt, Experience Sioux Falls Business Improvement District Board of Directors Chair Greg Jamison, and Experience Sioux Falls Board of Directors Chair Tom Morris.
Don Kearney and David Barranco were unable to attend.
Sioux Falls Represented at Sports Events & Tourism Association Symposium
Experience Sioux Falls Sales Manager, Brandon Vant Hul, was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago attending the Sports Events & Tourism Association annual Symposium where he met with 30 planners in one-on-one appointments to discuss Sioux Falls as a potential host city for their respective sports events.
Vant Hul returned to Sioux Falls with several promising leads to continue to work on that would bring hundreds of athletes to Sioux Falls.
New Merchandise at Falls Park Visitor Information Center
New products are arriving at the Falls Park Visitor Information Center just in time for the summer season. New merchandise includes water bottles with a playful, illustrated design, new t-shirts, bucket hats, stickers, and more.
