Presented to
Children’s Museum of South Dakota

Secretary Jim Hagen and Governor Dennis Daugaard present
the 2015 Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award to
Randy Grimsley of the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings,
at the 2016 Governor's Conference on Tourism.

downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)

The Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award, first presented at the 2013 conference, is given to a member of the South Dakota visitor industry for their innovative thinking in marketing or special promotion.

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings, implemented several innovative ideas to increase repeat business.

One of those, called the Golden Ticket program, gives children free return admission and an ice cream cone on their next visit. The ticket also includes a pass to the community aquatic center. In tracking the tickets, an average of three-plus people came back to the museum.

Another way the Children’s Museum has encouraged more visitation is through free events and offerings like The Big Kid at Heart event. This night is geared toward teachers but encourages all adults to come act like a kid again and discover the hands-on and educational exhibits.

The Children’s Museum also offers a Discovery Night for Families of Children with Autism and throws a birthday party every year for itself by offering a Free Day of Play.