Feb. 12, 2024

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect a new date for the event since originally published.

WNBA coach Becky Hammon wiłl be the keynote speaker at the 2024 Visitor Industry Luncheon in Sioux Falls.

Head coach of the back-to-back WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces and a South Dakota native, Hammon will speak May 6 at the 11:30 a.m. event at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

Hammon made history in 2014 by becoming the first woman to coach full time in the NBA when the San Antonio Spurs made her an assistant coach. She again made history in 2020 when she took over for head coach Gregg Popovich after he was ejected from a game.

She returned to the WNBA in 2022 as head coach of the Las Vegas Aces and in 2023 made history again as just the third NBA or WNBA head coach to win back-to-back titles in their first two seasons as coach.

Her professional basketball career also includes two Olympic appearances. Hammon’s speech in Sioux Falls will focus on leadership lessons for building credibility and respect.

“Our Visitor Industry Luncheon will not only be a chance to be inspired by a true trailblazer, it will also be a time to acknowledge the 2024 Visitor Industry Award winners” said Teri Schmidt, CEO for Experience Sioux Falls. “South Dakota saw a record number of visitors to the state in 2023, and Sioux Falls played a vital role in that accomplishment. This year’s luncheon will be an opportunity to gather and recognize the tremendous impact the visitor industry has on our economy.”

More details about the event and ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.