Hi everyone. Despite the incredibly cold wind and temps we had a great turn-out for the annual BBISD Conference in DeSmet. Thank you again, Connie and Darla, for helping to make this event a success. Twenty-four people representing fourteen inns were in attendance. Ward’s store catered the event held at Connie’s Super Deluxe Inn and Suites – excellent facility! A big THANK YOU to Sherry & Eldon at Valiant Vineyard and Buffalo Run Lodge for furnishing the wine for dinner. Norbeck House of Pierre, one of our new inns, was in attendance and we found out that Rick is a great pinochle player, just ask Vixie and Dennis Miller.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Society gave us a wonderful tour of the Surveyor’s Shanty and the Ingalls home. Later that evening we heard from Anne about the Homestead and had the opportunity to make our very own corn cob doll – or super hero doll. A fun time!

One of the things decided at the meeting was to offer a scholarship to one person from a member inn that has never attended the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The scholarship will include registration fees and the cost of the VIA luncheon that is held on the first day of the conference. It will not cover transportation and lodging. Members will receive notification and information about the Conference as soon as it becomes available, and will submit their name to the Board. Selection will be by lottery (we’ll throw all the names in a hat and pull one out). The Conference offers a bounty of information on all sorts of subjects valuable to anyone in the tourism business. Watch for details!

Members are encouraged to check their listing on www.southdakotabb.com to make sure their area has complete information available to those traveling the INN Route. It’s also a great place to list packages. Remember, your membership investment entitles you to a free listing with practically unlimited information.

Members are also encouraged to partner with South Dakota Tourism in marketing packages. It only costs $35 per package and the coverage is extensive. In addition to having the packages on www.TravelSD.com, there is also the possibility of having your package selected to be advertised in newspapers in the surrounding states. Having a package with SD Tourism also presents the opportunity to advertise your inn at a reduced rate with the Great Get-Aways promotion. A package consists of a night’s stay and at least one activity. Check out www.sdvisit.com/programs/coop/vacationpackages for details and a downloadable form.

Thank you, member inns, for electing us to one more year on the Board. We appreciate your encouragement and support and look forward to a year of BBISD promotion and success.