Noem moves Governor's Hunt from Pierre to Sioux Falls to 'attract more business prospects'

The annual Governor's Hunt in Pierre will become a sportsmen's convention open to the public in Sioux Falls beginning next year, Gov. Kristi Noem announced Monday. 

The 2020 Governor's Hunt and Sportsmen's Showcase will be based at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and will include: 

•  a public sportsman industry vendor fair with booths from South Dakota hunting, fishing, firearms and other sportsmen-related industries;
• a banquet for state leaders and business prospects;
• a public concert at the Premier Center;
• and pheasant hunting in southeastern South Dakota, according to Noem's announcement. 

The annual Governor's Hunt has brought business leaders to South Dakota to experience the pheasant habitat and business climate, and easing accessibility to the event will "introduce more people to everything South Dakota has to offer," Noem said in a statement. 

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"We're transforming this annual summit into an industry showcase for the nation," she said.

The Governor's Hunt has been about celebrating pheasant hunting in the state while supporting economic growth in the state, and changing the event is a "win-win" for South Dakotans and potential businesses interested in South Dakota, according to Steve Westra, commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. 

"By repositioning this headline event to Sioux Falls, we will be able to attract more business prospects and vendors who may only have limited time to visit our great state," Westra said in a statement. 

The 2019 Governor's Hunt will still be based out of Pierre.