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April was a strong month for national and state-level advocacy on behalf of South Dakota’s travel and tourism industry.
We started by attending Destination Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on April 1–2, hosted by the U.S. Travel Association. TCSD joined national industry leaders to discuss critical travel priorities, workforce needs, and opportunities to prepare for the upcoming "mega-decade" of events — from America 250 celebrations to the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. It was a powerful opportunity to represent South Dakota’s interests on a national stage.
Back home, TCSD organized two Congressional Roundtables to bring our elected leaders directly to the people they serve:
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On April 14, Senator Mike Rounds joined members in Rapid City for a focused discussion on tourism-related concerns and opportunities.
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On April 22, Representative Dusty Johnson met with members in Sioux Falls for another direct and productive dialogue.
These events gave our members a valuable opportunity to speak personally with our congressmen about the issues that impact their businesses and communities.
Additional roundtables are being planned for this fall to continue strengthening these critical relationships.
Next up: TCSD will launch a Statewide PR & Media Blitz from May 5–10 during National Travel & Tourism Week, visiting over a dozen communities and participating in more than 60 scheduled media interviews. Our message is clear — "Tourism Isn’t Just Fun – It’s Fuel for Our Economy!"
TCSD remains committed to advocating and educating on your behalf — ensuring that elected officials understand the vital role you play in supporting South Dakota’s economy, communities, and way of life.
Carmen Schramm
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