As the meeting planner for several associations, I have had the pleasure of working with the staff at the Rapid City Convention and Visitor's Bureau many times over the years. I have found them to be extremely helpful in planning and setting up meetings and the courtesy shown to our groups is second to none. 

The Dakota Territory Buffalo Association is one of the groups I work for and we have had our annual convention in Rapid City every year for the past 13 years. I always receive a call from the RCCVB about our meeting dates and I know that the door is always open and assistance is just a phone call away if we need anything for our group. Whether it's nametags or visitor booklets or even someone to help man our registration booth, the RCCVB is always there, waiting to pitch in and help ensure our gatherings run as smoothly as possible. Our annual Winter Conference typically brings around 200 participants to the area. 

In 2004, our association made a bid to host the 2007 International Bison Conference in Rapid City. We asked the RCCVB to assist us in making this bid to both the National Bison Association and the Canadian Bison Association. Their input and ideas were invaluable to us and they even went so far as to have a customized video presentation made for our group to show to the various organizations that were responsible for selecting the host association for this gathering. 

Needless to say, our group received the nod to host this international meeting in Rapid City and we could not have made our case without the assistance of the RCCVB. They were invaluable and their professionalism put the finishing touches on the presentation bid. The planning process on this conference took the better part of three years and the RCCVB was with us the entire time, always offering ideas, suggestions and even meeting space for our committee to gather and make plans. This was a huge undertaking for our small group and it went smoothly and was a huge success in every way. We were proud to play host to more than 600 bison enthusiasts from the United States, Canada, Germany, Russia, Denmark, Sweden and Great Britain. The comments we received about the hospitality of the area, the activities and the great time that was had by all can be tied directly back not only to our group, but also to the RCCVB for their work in cultivating the Rapid City area into an awesome, family-friendly community that opens its arms to visitors. 

Working with the RCCVB has helped to make our group successful in all of our meetings and endeavors in the Rapid City area. We appreciate all they do to help make our association look professional and to make all of our attendees feel welcome in Rapid City.

Karen Conley
Executive Secretary