South Dakota state of mind

The 2022 South Dakota Governor’s Conference on Tourism featured world-renowned speakers, dynamic evening events, and breakout sessions tackling many of the important topics facing the South Dakota tourism industry today.

My Place Hotels was excited that the conference returned to an in-person event in Pierre, SD and allowed our team to gather with industry professionals from near and far. Being hosted in Pierre, SD gave attendees and participants a chance to tour the state’s capitol building while there.

My Place Hotels was pleased to be an elite sponsor for this event bringing brand recognition to the South Dakota tourism industry and beyond. While at the conference, our corporate team was able to discuss the My Place way, our brand marketing initiatives, franchising opportunities, and more! Whether they were future guests, potential franchisees, or sometimes both, our entire team enjoyed the event.

"It was great being able to meet people at our booth as they walked through," Shaun Falken, Marketing Strategist for My Place Hotels said. "Many of them stopped to tell me how much they enjoy staying at My Place Hotels, what a great night sleep they had in our comfy beds, and how clean the rooms were and friendly the staff was."

He went on to say that it was refreshing to see some similarities in the South Dakota marketing plan that coincide with the My Place Hotels’ marketing plan.

The travel sector is an integral part of the South Dakota economy. Visitors generate significant economic benefits to households, businesses, and government alike and represent a critical driver of South Dakota’s future.

In 2021, 13.5 million visitors spent $4.4 billion in South Dakota. Visitor spending surpassed 2019 levels with room revenues and room demand also setting new highs. South Dakota’s 2021 Economic Impact Figures online report details how visitors generated $345 million in state and local taxes. These taxes equated to $980 in tax savings for every South Dakota household.

Attendees had the opportunity to listen to many speakers and attend break-out sessions covering a wide variety of topics. Shirley Sharp, Director of Franchise Operations, said her biggest takeaway was the ability to converse with peers to problem-solve and exchange ideas as well as network with industry experts.

"The 2022 South Dakota Governor’s Conference on Tourism brought together leaders in the areas of tourism and development to spur dialogue and create a better understanding of South Dakota’s tourism and how it contributes to the state’s development," Shirley Sharp, Director of Franchise Operations for My Place Hotels said.

With the My Place sponsorship came an opportunity to share a welcome video to the conference. My Place jumped at the opportunity to share our story with attendees.

The conference ended with a formal awards night gala where additional My Place Hotels’ executives joined to celebrate together.

"It was so inspiring to see all the honorees at the Awards Night Gala," Amy Jones, Director of Human Resources for the Rivett Group said. "We have such an amazing state and to see some of the best ambassadors for our industry and how they represent the state was so wonderful."

Amber Schwab, VP of Marketing, agreed.

"South Dakotans wear our hearts on our sleeves and that motto was beating strong at the South Dakota Tourism Conference," she said. "Industry colleagues, along with the My Place Hotels team, embraced that story at this event. True passion for what we love about hospitality was and is #ontherise because we continue to believe it and achieve it year over year."

My Place Hotels is honored to a part of South Dakota’s robust tourism industry. We look forward to another great year of tourism in the state of great faces and great places.

From all of us to all of you, thank you for making My Place your place.