We started 2008 with a great annual conference in DeSmet held at Connie & Larry Cheney's (formerly owners of Prairie House Manor and long time members) Super Deluxe Inn & Suites, a super nice facility, where the special touches were obvious to fellow innkeepers. Glacial Lakes Region members hosted us in great style.
Kenny and I attended one day of our Spring Retreat hosted by Eileen and Warren of Peregrine Pointe. It was great to see everyone and meet new innkeepers. Ron and Carla are one good team who listen and take action.
In late April I canvassed our region inns by email about a Mother's Day Open House.
Press releases were emailed to the participating inn's local newspapers and community calendars, Rapid City Journal and Sturgis radio. Reports were lower attendance than other years.
Triangle Ranch has been privileged to serve BBISD as their representative on the Board of Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association as one of six elected positions in the Trade Association category. Marilyn Oakes of Buffalo Rock Lodge is seated in a Member-at-Large position. This keeps us abreast of new trends and marketing tools. BBISD, through a Black Hills, Badlands offer appeared in a 16 page insert in the Midwest Living Magazine. The beautiful ad created by Sara Steever, got lots of attention and calls.
Many thanks to Eileen Rossow for coordinating our email vacancy list during our busy season. It helped us make intelligent referrals.
A tip from Vixie Miller at Vixie's Victorian Villa got us a booth at an Ellsworth AFB Fair introducing over 1,000 new service men and women to our area. Four members manned the table.
In early October Circle View Guest Ranch and Triangle Ranch hosted a progressive “I Survived the Summer” party. It was a small group but lots of fun to eat, talk shop and see Phil & Amy's baby girl.
We welcome Bear Gulch Bed & Breakfast of Hermosa, Country Manor at Stone Faces of Hill City, Summer Creek Inn and the Historic Madison Ranch of the Rapid City area as new members.
Overall tourism travel was very good in Western South Dakota in 2008 despite fuel prices.
My apologies for being unable to take a more active part in BBISD during 2008. Family and financial commitments had to be priority
Again, thanks to Ron and Carla and our BBISD board for promoting our industry consistently and professionally in new and innovative ways.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenny & Lyndy Ireland, BHB&L Director
Triangle Ranch Bed & Breakfast