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Who We Are


The mission of Destination Rapid City is to foster downtown Rapid City through economic development, creating a vibrant business district rich in appeal for the Rapid City community and its visitors.

Destination Rapid City was founded in July 2008 as a result of two important task force efforts in Rapid City, both aiming to strengthen downtown as a critical element in the greater community fabric. Managed by a volunteer board of directors and paid staff, Destination Rapid City works to attract people downtown through events, creating visual improvements such as flower urns and signage, providing a voice for downtown and building a sense of community in the heart of our city.

Through partnerships with such organizations as the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of Rapid City, and the Rapid City Downtown Association, Destination Rapid City leads efforts to redevelop and revitalize downtown Rapid City through improving streetscapes and facades, enhancing the business mix downtown, providing clean and safe programs, and creating a gathering place for the community.

Destination Rapid City was the lead organization to initiate the implementation of a Downtown Business Improvement District and the construction of Main Street Square, downtown’s events plaza and community living room.

Destination Rapid City is funded through business and individual donations, City of Rapid City subsidy funds, and event and program revenues.


DRC Board of Directors and Staff:

Chairman of the Board: Ray Hillenbrand, Prairie Edge
Vice President: Paul Bradsky, Hotel Alex Johnson
Treasurer: Pat Burchill, US Bank
Jim Adelstein, NWE Management
Mayor Sam Kooiker, City of Rapid City
Christy Horn, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Andy Ainslie, State Farm Insurance, Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce
Pete Lien, Pete Lien & Sons
Josh Precht, Theta Marketing, Rapid City Downtown Association Board Representative

Liaisons
Terry Nelson, President of the Business Improvement District Board
Megan Karbowski, Executive Director of Main Street Square 

Staff:

Dan Senftner, President & CEO

Beth Hottel, Assistant Director

Rhea Landholm, Administrative Assistant

Alicia Villa, Receptionist and Asst. Bookkeeper

Perry Schlepp, Manuel Davila and Mike Martin, Clean Team

What We Do


Downtown Events
Destination Rapid City works hard to plan and promote events downtown, attracting thousands to our city center each year. Events such as Summer Nights on Seventh, the Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival and Cruiser Car Show put our downtown on display while improving the quality of life for our citizens.

Downtown Advocacy
Destination Rapid City leads efforts at City Hall to promote downtown and its priorities. Destination Rapid City also acts as the liaison between its membership and other community organizations.

Downtown Business Recruitment & Retention
A healthy downtown boasts a spectrum of shops, restaurants and professional services and Destination Rapid City works with local businesses to ensure their downtown location and provide benefits to doing business downtown.

Downtown Promotion
Destination Rapid City promotes downtown through running multiple advertising campaigns each year, releasing public notices to all local media regarding happenings downtown and maintaining downtown’s information kiosks and maps. Destination Rapid City also produces several publications promoting downtown businesses and accessibility.

Downtown Green Clean Team
In 2010, Destination Rapid City initiated the Downtown Green Clean Team whose mission is to keep our downtown streets, sidewalks and alleys attractive and welcoming. The multi-member team works all year cleaning downtown’s public spaces, acting as hospitality guides to tourists, and working in partnership with the Rapid City Police Department to keep our downtown streets safe.

Downtown Streetscapes

Destination Rapid City improves the aesthetic appeal of downtown through the addition of street furniture, garbage cans, cigarette urns, flower urns, etc.

 

Contribute


“Your contributions to Destination Rapid City enable us to continue our work to stimulate the economic development and growth that you are seeing in our downtown today. Our downtown can and will continue to be the vibrant center of Rapid City."
-Dan Senftner, President & CEO

Your donation secures the future development and progress of our downtown core by helping Destination Rapid City create a business center and lifestyle attractive to residents, visitors and employee recruits.

Our goal is to increase the quality of life downtown, encouraging more business and activity in the city center. Other benefits of contribution include:
  • A Business Organization Working for your Best Interests
  • Website Listing and Link at www.downtownrapidcity.com
  • Networking Opportunities
  • Customer Traffic Generated by Destination Rapid City Events
  • A Larger Voice in Local Government Affairs
  • Organizational Credibility with Local Government & Other Organizations
  • Up-to-Date Information on Downtown Happenings
  • Eligibility for Election to the Destination Rapid City Board of Directors

Donor Levels

Patron $500
Principal $2,500
Leader $7,500
Premier             $15,000
Elite $25,000
Legacy $50,000 and above









Downtown Events