<p>If a business would like to be considered for the&nbsp;<a href="https://sdvisit.com/tourism-awards/george-s-mickelson-award">George S. Mickelson Award</a>&nbsp;given at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southdakotatourismconference.com/&quot; target="_blank">South Dakota Governor’s Conference on Tourism</a>, it must have first applied for and received the&nbsp;<a href="https://sdvisit.com/training-hospitality/south-dakota-great-place-progr… Dakota Great Place</a> designation.</p><p>To be considered for a 2026 George S. Mickelson Award to be presented during the 2027 conference, South Dakota Great Place applications must meet the <strong>September 30, 2026, deadline</strong>.</p><p>Entities only seeking the South Dakota Great Place<strong> </strong>designation for 2026 also have until September 30, 2026, to submit their application.</p>