Where can I get a hold of one of these brochures?
Over the course of this last week, I've seen two separate articles on a brochure recently released by the South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development.
The first article was from Robert Morast in the Life section of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader referring to how Taco Johns was apparently now a South Dakota Tourist attraction:
I want a brochure, that is. But hold the state fair sauce. It always gives me an upset stomach.
The first article was from Robert Morast in the Life section of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader referring to how Taco Johns was apparently now a South Dakota Tourist attraction:
Recently, the South Dakota tourism office sent out a "Great Getaways" brochure that highlighted eight of our state's attractions. Under the heading "Land of Cultural Variety," the flier - which was distributed in-state - showcased the likes of Brookings' McCrory Gardens Party, Huron's city murals and Taco John's.Ouch. You can read it here. But the criticism of the brochure doesn't end there. Apparently the brochure made Huron mad as well. As in the whole town of Huron. Why? Because while it did include the venerable institution of "Taco Johns" (where there's a whole lot of Mexican going on), it sort of left something else out:Yes, our state is pimping a fast food chain serving diluted Mexican recipes alongside South Dakota thumbprints like DeSmet's Laura Ingalls Wilder heritage.
Apparently, as the flier says, "great tacos and burritos are practically synonymous with Taco John's and South Dakota."When did this happen? I'm still trying to comprehend the mystery of the local delicacy chislic, and now the state tourism office is telling us that tacos and burritos are part of our state's DNA?
So, was Black Elk, like, sitting around the fire 130 years ago rolling burritos with his boys and telling stories over the crunching sound of hard shell tacos?
South Dakota State Fair Advisory Board members were miffed Tuesday that the latest state tourism brochure omits any mention of the 2007 State Fair.Read that here. And you know what's worse? My wife told me we got one of these in the paper, but it went out in the trash. Aaaargh! I want one. I want one.
Several members suggested that letters, e-mails and telephone calls be made by each member of the commission to the tourism director about the matter.
Commissioner Ed Goss of Belle Fourche said the fair has been fighting this omission for the past seven years.
State Fair Manager Susan Hayward said she relies on Peggy Woolridge of the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau to send the information to the state.
She said Woolridge was “just as surprised” that the information was omitted from the latest brochures.
Commissioner Dick Shelton said the omission “is inexcusable.”
“I think the governor should be apprised of the issue,” he added.
I want a brochure, that is. But hold the state fair sauce. It always gives me an upset stomach.
Comments
Just out of curiousity, I'd like to know what you have against
the State Fair. I for one fully intend to go to the fair someday. Not while we got $3.51 gas though!
What I want to know is who in state government got the kickback to include TJs in a tourist brochure above all of the real tourist attractions.
Whoever is responsible for this needs to be fired. Their lack of judgment just made SD an embarassment, a joke. The Operations and Audit Committee really needs to get to the bottom of who signed off on this taxpayer funded debacle. Somebody in Tourism must have been thinking this would be really funny.
I have something against it?
-pp
What are the standard guidleines. Hummmmm goes the brain.
Prairie Deacon, i didn't read that PP was against the state fair, i thought he was letting us know it was omitted in the brouchure. What gives on the comment?
I for one have my favs.
Just for brochure sake and no i did not see it and didn't know about it.
When the state fair is struggling to become self-sufficient, and the state is struggling to get out of paying anything for this wonderful activity, it would seem that the state should be promoting the fair very chance it gets. It would be to the state's financial advantage, not to say it's something the state should be proud of.
Lots of kids and parents work hard all year to showcase exhibits and learn self-confidence and the value of hard work, and to enjoy the camaradarie found at the state fair.
We have been going every year for years, and it's great! I encourage everyone to attend. Great entertainment, free and otherwise, good food, just plain ole fashioned fun.
The state fair SHOULD be in the brochure. I love Taco John's, but to associate that with SD is ridiculous.
Napoli (and now Klaudt) already took care of that.
But by the same token (25 cents off?) to include TJ's and not the fair does seem a bit silly.
Sorry i think this is off topic but now that i have written I am sending it in.
I know they want to keep those two offices in Pierre out of some sense of loyalty to keep every state office in that podunk hole in the ground in the middle of nowhere. They need to move both of those offices to Sioux Falls. They are public relations and marketing and need to be connected to the rest of the world. These functions also should be handled by people who have some experience with the outside world.
We are not marketing our state to ourselves. But that is expected when those two offices are more worried about the political affiliation of anyone who might work there over their skills and experience.
7:50, I think think harping on them as much as you did might not necessarily be deserved.
Who do I call????
Every other business in South Dakota should be royally pissed off!
If someone's pissed off, just say, "hey, at least Mike's got goals and he's brave enough to lay them all out in advance."
Big whoop.
I think the flap in Huron is about a totally different publication. It's probably the Vacation Guide. I think everyboy is jumping the gun on this in automatically believing it's Tourism's fault.
If Susan Hayward is saying Peggy Woolridge was supposed to submit the information, and Peggy Woolridge is saying Susan Hayward was supposed to submit the info, then neither probably did. One of them is at fault and doesn't want to admit it.
I used to work at Tourism. The folks in Huron were infamous for failing to meet ad copy and calendar of event deadlines.
It seems this is a job that could be done in a state office located in SF with no difficulty. The only problem is that once such a trend starts, more people will want their jobs moved too.
Maybe the state capitol should be moved. In reality it should, but I know that will never happen.
Perhaps we should start a plan – Rapid City for state Capital!
(I’d suggest Sioux Falls…but there is too much hostility for SF in the rest of the state)
Think about it – there are already all of those hotel rooms sitting idle in the winter. I’m sure we could set up a pseudo capital building in the gap. That way all of the legislators could still go west to get to a strip bar.
There are some real possibilities here.
Perhaps Hot Springs? We could have legislative sessions in Flintstones Village (saber tooth tiger toga’s are not required)
For those of us who live in Pierre we love it and for those who don't want to can live somewhere else.
7:50:
I had the displeasure of seeing your small penis.
You probably work for Lawrence and Schillar and want the state's marketing tit all to yourself.
"no one willingly lives in Pierre unless they maybe were born there and really like the place."
You could substitute "South Dakota" for "Pierre" and it would be just as accurate.
As for state tourism, I encourage you to go to travelsd.com. They have come up with a great ad campaign this year - one of the best I have seen in years. Their co-op programs (like the one this issue is about) help smaller communities get the word out. Each community on its own (other than RC and maybe SF) does not have the budget to get the type of placement on their own.
It sounds to me like there are a lot of people getting their undies in a twist over something they don't know anything about (imagine that on this blog.) If you want to know the real answer, why don't you pick up the phone or e-mail state tourism. I'm sure they can explain it to you.
Working with state government is like eating at a buffet: the chef cooks a lot of good food, but instead of bringing it straight to your plate and hand-feeding you, the chef puts it out on the buffet allowing everyone to GO AND GET what they want.
One more: "Seek and ye shall find."