South Dakota Head for the Hills Passport

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Head for the Hills Passport was launched in April 2024, as the fifth free mobile-exclusive pass in Travel South Dakota's partnership with Bandwango. Head for the Hills was created, in collaboration with the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association, to highlight the can't-miss family-friendly attractions in the Black Hills. Using gamification, the passport encourages families to explore western South Dakota.

BENEFITS        HOW IT WORKS        PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS        FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS        CONTACT

Summary

With the passport, visitors and locals can check into designated Head for the Hills locations to accumulate points based on the number of locations visited, receive discounts (in some instances), and redeem points for free prizes. The passport delivery is seamless, with no app download needed. Instead, the passport is simply accessed through TravelSouthDakota.com. Participant location redemption is followed through GPS-based tracking, with prize redemption tracked within the participant’s passport application. Prizes are then shipped directly to participants. Click below to find a complete summary (PDF) of the South Dakota Passports program (June 2024):

South Dakota Passports summary
 

 

Benefits

This free program is designed to attract visitors to lesser-known sites throughout South Dakota, at no cost to participating businesses, events and locations. Points are accrued through location check-ins, each stop is worth 10 points. Prizes range from custom South Dakota posters (50 points) to an ENO Hammock and accessories (350 points). For more information, check out our official South Dakota Head for the Hills page on TravelSouthDakota.com:

South Dakota Head for the Hills Passport
 

 

How It Works

The passport is a free, mobile-exclusive passport with no purchase necessary. Participants sign up to access the passport on TravelSouthDakota.com and receive an email confirmation to view their passport. The location redemption process is GPS-based, with visitors simply checking in to each location from their phone’s home screen.

South Dakota Passports steps

Timeline

The Head for the Hills Passport and points accumulated through check-ins expire each April 1. Passport holders (visitors) are required to re-register for the passport(s) each year.

 

PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS

Locations Materials

Each featured business is provided with a Head for the Hills window cling/decal and poster (examples coming soon). Participating businesses should display one or both of these elements prominently so visitors know they’ve found the correct location. Redemption instructions should be kept on hand for employees to reference if visitors have questions about the program. Download this PDF:

Redemption Instructions for South Dakota Passports
 

Passport Elements

As a key component of Travel South Dakota's marketing campaigns, the Head for the Hills Passport receives strong promotion through Travel South Dakota-owned channels. The passports are promoted on TravelSouthDakota.com with website personalization efforts, social media pushes and email program callouts, along with display and social promotion through paid media efforts.
 

How to Promote

Travel South Dakota is excited to promote the Head for the Hills Passport through paid and owned media; however, it's appreciated when others want to assist in promoting the program. Here are a few ways in which communities, businesses and locals can promote the passport program:

  • Request Collateral: Travel South Dakota has posters and bookmarks providing visitors with an overview of the passport program & prizes. Businesses may request posters and/or bookmarks to display by contacting Alexa Dorn with Travel South Dakota.South Dakota Passports poster and bookmark
     
  • Share on Social: Being a location on the passport provides bragging rights. Businesses, events and locations can share the great news with their social followers. Tout that the passport will bring locals and visitors alike to your community and businesses. In need of a social media image? Download one of these badges: coming soon.

     

  • Spread the Word: If you are a current passport location or local business, share with visitors the next nearest passport location, assisting passport holders to continue their journey or simply to start their passport adventure.
     
How to Get Involved

Would you consider your business a family-friendly attraction in the Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota? Do you know of one we should include? Each 12-month cycle, Travel South Dakota will review each passport and update businesses, events and/or locations. We’d love to potentially add your recommendation(s) to the program in the future! Contact Alexa Dorn with Travel South Dakota for more information.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:

How did my business get selected? 

Q:

Does it cost anything for businesses to participate?

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As a participating business, do my employees or I need to do anything?

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If visitors have questions about the Head for the Hills Passport, where should they go? 

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How do visitors claim their prizes? 

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How long does this program run? 

  

FOR INFORMATION

For more information, please contact Alexa Dorn, Marketing Campaigns & Projects Manager, at 605-400-1450 or [email protected].
 

 

see all South Dakota Passports