PIERRE — Travel South Dakota, in partnership with the South Dakota Retailers Association, will host its annual Spring Hospitality Training from May 8-11. The trainings will be held in seven communities across South Dakota.

The Spring Hospitality Training is designed to provide tools, customer service tactics, and encouragement for South Dakotans in the tourism industry to better serve our visitors. Anyone involved in a business relevant to the tourism industry is encouraged to attend the free trainings. Registration is not required.

Those wanting to learn more about the tourism industry and career paths within this job sector are also welcomed to attend.

This year, Travel South Dakota has teamed up with the South Dakota Retailers Association to bring author and motivational speaker Betsy Allen-Manning to lead the hospitality training sessions. Featured on Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC and TEDx, Allen-Manning is the founder of Corporate Culture Training Solutions, known as one of the top leadership training companies in Dallas, Texas. Her specialty is improving workplace culture, creating better employee experiences and developing “ready-now leaders” who are equipped to attract, motivate and retain talent in a hyper-competitive marketplace. She will engage attendees on improving communication, building relationships and provide tips on effectively dealing with difficult people.

2023 Spring Hospitality Training Tour:

• Hot Springs - May 8, 10-11 a.m. (MDT) – Mueller Civic Center
• Spearfish - May 8, 3-4 p.m. (MDT) – Black Hills State University, Meier Hall
• Rapid City - May 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (MDT) - The Monument, LaCroix Hall C
• Fort Pierre - May 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (CDT) – Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center
• Sioux Falls - May 10, 9-10 a.m. (CDT) – Holiday Inn City Centre, Starlite Room
• Watertown - May 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (CDT) – Goss Opera House
• Yankton - May 11, 10-11 a.m. (CDT) – Mead Museum, Leonard Hall

For more information on these seven hospitality training opportunities, visit SDVisit.com.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Travel South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.