Feb. 7, 2024

A lack of space and little walkability to attractions and dining are costing Sioux Falls convention business “every single day,” according to the leader of Experience Sioux Falls.

CEO Teri Schmidt spoke at a press briefing today, two days after the city announced a vision for the Riverline District that includes a new convention center downtown and shifting the current facility to indoor recreation and play space.

“To say I’m excited about this possibility is an understatement,” Schmidt said. “This is a big, bold vision for Sioux Falls, but that’s who Sioux Falls is.”

She mentioned a group looking to bring a convention to town that reached out this week about options. Sioux Falls was unable to respond because the requirements included more than 400 attached hotel rooms and a certain amount of attractions such as shopping and dining within a less than 10-minute leisurely walk.

“We’ve got a great facility out there, but it’s not working anymore,” Schmidt said. “Size and walkability kill us, and this is a prime example.”

The current Convention Center opened in 1996 and includes 243 sleeping rooms attached at the Sheraton.

Cities that compete with Sioux Falls for business offer more space, more hotel access and greater access for things visitors like to do during events without requiring a car, Schmidt said.

“Look around the country — they can go anywhere,” she said, adding that visitor spending drives sales tax revenue, supports jobs and enhances awareness of communities.

“It’s an economic vitality issue. This is true economic development.”

While design for a downtown convention center has not started, the city has done some space planning and determined convention centers in competitive communities would fit on the 8-acre downtown site, Mayor Paul TenHaken said.

However, the needs of modern conventions also might dictate less contiguous flat space. There would need to be a parking ramp included with the project, he said.

A public vote also is a possibility, TenHaken added. The city held an advisory vote before bonding for the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

“If there’s a sentiment in the community that people want a say at the ballot box on an initiative like this, we’re going to listen to that,” he said.

However, the complexity of the proposal — from acquiring the downtown land to designing and building a convention center and determining the scope and use for the existing one — is a multiyear endeavor, TenHaken added.

“This is a four-, five-, six-year initiative,” he said. “There’s a lot of dominoes that have to fall.”

Riverline District vision: Move Convention Center downtown, renovate former site for recreation