RAPID CITY, SD - Kick off the 2025 tourism season at Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association’s 42nd Annual Literature Swap on Tuesday, May 6 at The Monument in Rushmore Halls C & D.
From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the BH&B Parks & Attractions Meeting will be held. During the meeting, communities, attraction members, and regional park officials will share updates, highlight new developments, and showcase upcoming events at their locations. The Literature Swap will then take place from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Literature Swap is an annual event that makes it fun and easy for tourism industry members to distribute brochures and magazines to all South Dakota Welcome Centers located along I-90 and I-29. The event allows attendees to meet new visitor industry professionals and catch up with those they already know while conveniently exchanging marketing materials with other businesses in the Black Hills and Badlands region. Attendees also can stock up on the 2025 South Dakota Vacation Guide and Black Hills maps. BH&B Corporate Partners will be present, providing essential business-to-business service opportunities to our members.
“Every brochure we hand out and every conversation we have at the Literature Swap contributes to a stronger tourism economy,” said Michelle Thomson, President/CEO of Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association. “This event helps us prepare to welcome millions of visitors who’s spending directly supports our communities, our businesses, and our way of life.”
The Literature Swap is held during National Travel and Tourism Week, a week highlighting the travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life not only in the Black Hills and Badlands region, but the state of South Dakota.
According to regional reports, Black Hills and Badlands was the second highest region in the state for visitor spending. Visitors spent $1.9 million, accounting for 38.5% of all visitor sales in South Dakota in 2024. Additionally, visitor spending supported an estimated 21,155 jobs in the region.
According to the Travel South Dakota, 14.9 million visitors traveled to South Dakota in 2024, spending $5.09 billion, a 2.8% increase from 2023. Funds generated from the 2024 tourism also saved each South Dakota household $1,105 in taxes.
Tourism professionals from regional chambers, destination marketing organizations, the Black Hills National Forest Service, National Parks Service, South Dakota State Parks, and local attractions will be in attendance. There will be opportunities for these professionals to discuss the impact of travel on the region with members of the press.
Register for Literature Swap on the Black Hills & Badlands website. The cost of registration is as follows:
BH&B Member Business Brochure $40
Non-Member Business Brochure $65
Additional Brochures $40 (BH&B Members) or $65 (Non-Members)
In addition to registering for the Literature Swap, businesses wishing to display brochures at South Dakota Welcome Centers must complete the form at sdvisit.com. The Form must be completed for each publication you plan on distributing to the Welcome Centers.
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