How did my business/event/location get selected?&nbsp;

Your business, event or location was nominated by fellow industry members and/or the South Dakota Arts Council as a South Dakota&nbsp;State of Create&nbsp;location, deserving recognition as part of this program.

How do people get their prizes?&nbsp;

Once visitors have checked into the required number of locations, they will receive an email and text. From there, they will complete a form for the Department of Tourism. The Department will then send prize recipients the designated prize(s) via email or mail.

How long does this program run?&nbsp;

The current South Dakota State of Create passport runs through the end of July 2023, with a new set of&nbsp;locations being added in August 2023. (Other passports run on different schedules, but each lasts 12 months before starting over.)

South Dakota State of Create | South Dakota Tourism Industry

Q: Does it cost anything for businesses/events/locations to participate?

The program is free. There are no costs for businesses — or visitors — to participate in any of the passports.

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

No, you do not. The redemption process is GPS-based so as not to disrupt current business or add to workload.

Q: If visitors have questions about the State of Create passport, where should they go?&amp;nbsp;

Please refer them to&amp;nbsp;https://www.TravelSouthDakota.com/south-dakota-state-of-create.

South Dakota State of Create Passport

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The South Dakota Department of Tourism launched the State of Create passport in July 2022, the second free mobile-exclusive pass in our partnership with Bandwango. State of Create was created to make it even more fun for consumers to find the artistic treasures across the state. Using gamification, the State of Create passport encourages people to explore and experience hidden gems found throughout South Dakota.

BENEFITS HOW IT WORKS PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT

Summary

With the pass, visitors and locals can check in to designated State of Create locations to unlock a broad range of prizes based on the number of locations visited. The program delivery is seamless, with no app download needed. Instead, the pass is easily accessed through TravelSouthDakota.com. Participant location redemption is followed through GPS-based tracking, with prize notifications automatically sent to participants through SMS and email. Prizes are then emailed or shipped directly to participants. Click below to find a complete summary (PDF) of the State of Create passport program:

State of Create 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. The Department awards prizes to participating consumers who check in at stops. State of Create prizes range from local artist stickers (10 stops required) to custom Vans shoes and a chance to win a South Dakota vacation (45 stops required). For more information, check out our official State of Create page on TravelSouthDakota.com:

South Dakota State of Create

How it Works

The passport is a mobile-exclusive passport with no purchase necessary. The location redemption process is GPS-based, with visitors simply checking in to each location from their phone’s home screen.

South Dakota Great Finds steps

Timeline

The first year of State of Create runs July 2022-July 2023. Additional participating location updates will be made throughout the twelve months, and completely new pass locations will appear the following year.

PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS

Locations Materials

Each featured business is provided with a window cling and poster (examples, below). 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 State of Create

South Dakota State of Create window cling and poster examples

Passport Elements

As a key component of the Department's marketing campaigns, the State of Create passport will receive strong promotion through South Dakota Tourism-owned channels. The passports will be 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. In addition, partners will be indicated as part of the program on TravelSouthDakota.com and in the South Dakota Vacation Guide.

South Dakota State of Create screenshots

How to Promote

The Department is excited to promote the State of Create 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 programs:

Request Collateral: The Department has posters providing visitors with an overview of the passport program & prizes. Businesses may request posters to display by contacting the Department of Tourism.
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 this one:
State of Create social image
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 hidden gem in the art community of South Dakota? Do you know of one we should include? Each 12-month cycle, the Department will revamp each passport with new businesses, events and/or locations. We’d love to potentially add your recommendations to the program in the future! Contact Erin Weinzettel with the Department of Tourism for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How did my business/event/location get selected?

Does it cost anything for businesses/events/locations to participate?

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

If visitors have questions about the State of Create passport, where should they go?

How do people get their prizes?

How long does this program run?

FOR INFORMATION

For more information, please contact Erin Weinzettel, Global Marketing & Brand Manager, at 605-295-4392 or [email protected].