BH&B Board of Directors | Jen Johnston | Black Hills & Badlands - South Dakota

BH&B Board of Directors | Jen Johnston

The BH&B Board of Directors plays an important role in the success of the organization by providing strategic oversight, guidance and influence to support the organization’s mission. The board represents diverse members throughout the industry and community and we’d like to introduce them to you!

Name
Jen Johnston

Business
Mitchell Area Chamber and CVB

Position
Director of Tourism and Marketing

What is your favorite thing about the Black Hills & Badlands region?
My very favorite thing about the entire BH&B region is the Chubby Chipmunk in Deadwood. Best truffles in the world! Second favorite is a tie between Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon, The 1880 train, ATV trails, Winery trail, The Pasta Corral, Badlands Loop, concerts at the ‘Chip – oh my gosh the list could go on forever.

What influenced you to serve on the BH&B board of directors?
We are a DMO that sits outside of the BH&B region so we are a bit of a unique member. However nearly 70% of the visitors that travel through Mitchell are on their way to the Black Hills region and we find it extremely important to stay up to date on all things BH&B in order to better assist our visitors while working within our gift shops, restaurants, hotels and visitor centers. I am a true believer that cross promotion of our great state is the very best marketing tool we have.

Why I personally jumped on board is my long history with visiting the BH&B. As a kid our parents took us to the hills each and every summer for a camping trip. Typically we would stay at the Palmer Gulch campground near Mt. Rushmore and made for some of my fondest memories of growing up. Then when my youngest sister graduated high school in 2012 (I am from Sioux Falls originally, oldest of 4 girls) my parents told us they were building a log cabin in the hills and were going to move. Needless to say we were all very shocked but after it set in we absolutely love visiting the hills, and do so many times throughout the year, as they now live south of Deadwood off of Hwy 385.

National Travel and Tourism Week - did you know?

The Corn Palace is decorated annually and this year’s theme is South Dakota Home Grown. The front of the building showcases, for the second time ever, the Corn Palace on the Corn Palace and the Crazy Horse Memorial decorated with 13 different colors of corn grown right outside of Mitchell. This tribute to agriculture is a for sure stop on your next South Dakota roadtrip!

Learn more about Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association's Board of Directors here.