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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Sioux Falls Represented at IPW
Experience Sioux Falls Sales Manager Jackie Wentworth attended IPW last month in Fort Lauderdale, FL along with members of Travel South Dakota and additional industry partners from our state. Together, the South Dakota delegation had over 100 appointments with travel trade companies and media companies.
IPW is an annual event from the U.S. Travel Association where U.S. travel suppliers get connected with international buyers and media. The 2026 event saw nearly 5,000 attendees from over 50 countries.
Southeast South Dakota Tourism Summit
A few members of the Experience Sioux Falls team traveled to the Corn Palace in Mitchell last month to attend Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association’s (SSDTA) annual Tourism Summit where they connected with industry professionals from the southeast region of our state and heard from a variety of speakers.
During the event, the 2026 Innovation Award was presented to the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium. The Innovation Award shines a spotlight on a SSDTA business that has dared to think outside the box to achieve remarkable results. Congratulations to the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium!
Pictured left to right: Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium Director of PR & Marketing Denise DePaolo and Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association Executive Director Kasi Haberman
Downtown Sioux Falls 2026 Award Winners
Members of the Experience Sioux Falls team attended Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc.’s Annual Meeting a few weeks ago where six awards were presented to businesses, partners, and individuals making a lasting impact on Downtown Sioux Falls.
2026 Award Winners:
- New Business of the Year: Pomegranate Market
- Food & Beverage of the Year: Totally Rad Eats at Fernson
- Retailer of the Year: Gist Wine
- Professional Service of the Year: Startup Sioux Falls
- Downtown Ambassador of the Year: Sioux Falls Police Department
- Spirit of Downtown Sioux Falls Award: Paul TenHaken
South Dakota Passport Program
Explore the state and win gear through Travel South Dakota’s Passport Program. Travel South Dakota currently offers 11 total passports, with Sioux Falls attractions, parks, and businesses being featured in seven of them. These free, mobile-exclusive passports encourage exploration throughout South Dakota by checking in at designated locations to collect points and earn free South Dakota prizes.