This paid piece is sponsored by Experience Sioux Falls.

Over the next two weeks, Sioux Falls is expected to see over 30,000 visitors to the city who will be attending the National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic March 1-3 and The Summit League Basketball Championships March 8-12.

For National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, this will be just the second year holding the event in Sioux Falls, with the first being in 2018 when over 28,000 people attended the event.

Just a few days later, athletes and fans alike will be arriving in Sioux Falls to cheer on their favorite school during The Summit League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

“Today’s visitors become tomorrow’s repeat visitors or even new residents,” said Teri Schmidt, CEO of Experience Sioux Falls. “It’s critical we show them a great experience – as well as these major events themselves because there’s no guarantee they keep returning to our community unless we deliver for them.”

Here are seven ways your business can help welcome all these visitors to Sioux Falls.

Greet them with kindness

This may be obvious, but simply saying hello to these visitors and welcoming them is an easy gesture that goes a long way. This might be their first time visiting Sioux Falls, so a friendly conversation, if even just for a minute, can leave a lasting impression. Additional tip: They love to learn your favorite places to visit in town.

Welcome signage

If your business can display a welcome message on marquee signs, consider displaying phrases like “Welcome Pheasant Fest” or “Welcome Basketball Fans.” You could even do the same with indoor signs or hang a poster if space allows.

Custom creations

Use your creative side to come up with something custom. For example, if you’re a restaurant or bar, you could offer a featured themed appetizer or specialty drink made for visitors to enjoy.

Visitors notice things like this, and it will make them more likely to extend their time at your business or return during a future trip.

Apparel

If your business is willing and able, another idea is to have your staff wear orange for Pheasant Fest or apparel representing their favorite school in The Summit League. For something simpler, a branded pin or sticker also would work great to help promote the events and welcome visitors.

Offer expertise

If you’re a public-facing business, your front-line staff become critical ambassadors. Empower them to help visitors with directions and offer recommendations within your business and our broader community.

The brand-new Experience Sioux Falls Visitor Guides are now out all over town, so if you’d like some in your business, email [email protected].  Plus, experiencesiouxfalls.com/events can be a great resource to learn about other events happening while guests are in town.

Discounted food, drinks

For restaurants, bars and retail shops, consider having a discounted item on your menu for those who are in Sioux Falls attending one of the two events.

You could post on your social media channels something like “bring in your ticket for BOGO drinks” or “show your ticket to get 10 percent off your purchase” or whatever your business is comfortable doing.

Thank them

And lastly, thank them for coming to Sioux Falls. Again, a simple gesture like this is meaningful. One visitor may not necessarily make a big difference to the city, but the culmination of visitors over a year makes a large impact on the city’s economy, helping to lower taxes for all Sioux Falls residents.

While it may not seem like much, the extra effort and little details like these can make someone’s visit to an event go from ordinary to special.

If you have a fun idea that you will be doing to help welcome these visitors, Experience Sioux Falls would love to hear about it! Get in touch at [email protected].