Deadwood Mountain Grand set to Change the Standard for the Deadwood Experience

For those not familiar with Deadwood, it's a town rich with gambling history. From the beginning, Wild West heroes like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane made the journey to Deadwood in search of prospering from card games. To this day, Deadwood holds true to its history and offers tourists one of the best opportunities to gamble in all of region.

Starting July first of this year, Deadwood Mountain Grand will awake a formerly sleeping historic Homestake Mining Company building into one of the finest gambling establishments this region has ever seen. The Deadwood Mountain Grand will feature a 98 room hotel (opening Fall of 2011), casino, The Aught Six Grille, 2,500 person entertainment/event center, and onsite parking ramp. The hotel will include a swimming pool, fitness room, and easy access to the casino, 312 car parking garage, and event center.

According to a source close to the entertainment department, Jack Daniels, who is a local radio sales associate for Duhamel Broadcasting, the Deadwood Mountain Grand plans to hold 8 large name events within the first two months of opening. These acts have yet to be named publicly, but will pack the state of the art 2,500 person venue.

Mark you calendars and prepare to enjoy entertainment on a level all its own at the Deadwood Mountain Grand.

OTA Sessions Inspire the Next Generation

The stage of the Orpheum Theater, 9 A.M. and shots of Jagermeister. This paints the perfect scene of what kicked off the 2011 OTA Sessions on April 1.

Although weeks have past since the event, the individuals in attendance and lessons learned replay vividly in my mind. From listening of the successful marketing of Jagermeister from the fascinating Sally Hogshead: speaker, author and brand innovation consultant, to engaging in conversation with local media specialists, this event had more than entertainment to offer a college student looking to dive into the advertising industry. While at the OTA sessions, I was reassured that I am certainly in the correct field of study! The passion, drive and talent of the individuals I had the privilege to meet inspired me to push towards my future with perseverance and passion. It was easy to see that like many other industries in the midwest, advertising of the “ota’s” is on top of the game and provides competition to that of any other region of the world.

Knowing that I hope to remain in South Dakota upon graduation, the session reminded me why our midwest region is where my pride lies.

• It was the fact that Hugh Weber, curator of the OTA sessions, had worked 365 days to prepare a fulfilling event for the benefit of others.

• It was seeing South Dakota Advertising Federation members from competitive agencies working side by side to better the industry.

• It was the passion and enthusiasm of Sally Hogshead.

• It was the innovation of the work displayed by RiCardo Crespo,SVP/Global Creative Chief of Twentieth Century Fox.

And finally, it was the inspiration that I felt from every account executive, media strategist, public relations specialist and creative director that passed by with a greeting smile.

To any students currently attending college to major advertising, marketing, public relations or any related field, I challenge you. I challenge you to go beyond what is expected and attend the 2012 OTA Sessions. You just might receive the same kick of reality that has knocked me down and made me realize just how incredible midwest advertising is.

Want to learn more from the great Sally Hogshead for yourself? Here she is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCbWH-tQzGg&feature=player_profilepage

(Source: Sally Hogshead – OTA 2011,” Rural Learning Center, YouTube, April 7, 2011)

Deny the Lie

OTA Sessions kicked off Thursday night with a pre-party at the Museum of Visual Materials in Sioux Falls and continued through Friday evening.

OTA Sessions are all about celebrating creativity and innovation in the Midwest. We don't have anything to prove; we don't have to "keep up" with the coastal regions. OTA is about shattering the lies of "limited creativity" in the Midwest. According to Hugh Weber, Director of the OTA Sessions, we have "the best of the best in the Upper Midwest."

Many professionals in South Dakota attended the conference including Kyle McCabe of Robert Sharp & Associates. McCabe said he was excited to meet other creative professionals and to learn and share ideas with them.

OTA Sessions took place at the Orpheum Theater and began with the Trust Summit featuring Chris Brogan, Mitch Joel, and Julien Smith. These three distinguished authors spoke about "Building Trust in a Connected World." As an added bonus, the first 200 people that bought tickets for OTA received copies of their books, Trust Agents by Brogan/Smith, and Six Pixels of Seperation by Joel. They also received a copy of Jonathan Harris' book, We Feel Fine. Jonathan Harris, along with Spike Jones and Jim Brunelle gave inspiring speeches throughout the OTA Sessions as well.

Tiffany Oliver

Welcome to OTA from Hugh Weber on Vimeo.