Travel South Dakota has honored 38 businesses with the 2025 South Dakota Great Place designation and recognized 65 individuals with the 2025 South Dakota Great Face award. These tourism-oriented businesses and individuals were acknowledged for their exceptional hospitality and customer service.
Among the 65 individuals receiving the 2025 South Dakota Great Face designation are Wanda Bunker, the Historical Center Coordinator at St. Joseph’s Indian School, and Linnea Schindler, the Store Manager at the Aktá Lakota Museum.
Additionally, the Aktá Lakota Museum was highlighted as one of the 38 businesses awarded the 2025 South Dakota Great Place title.
To earn the GREAT FACE recognition, individuals must be endorsed by their supervisor and peers. Museum visitors have often praised these two individuals for consistently exceeding expectations at the Aktá Lakota Museum and St. Joseph’s Indian School.
The GREAT PLACE Award is given to businesses and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service. This program aims to identify and celebrate businesses that implement effective hospitality-training programs for their staff. Organizations are also required to reward employees for excellent service and find creative ways to express customer appreciation. Receiving the South Dakota 2025 GREAT PLACE Award qualifies the Aktá Lakota Museum for the George S. Mickelson Award, which is presented annually at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism every January.
To view the list of Great Place businesses recognized, please click here. For a list of Great Face individuals, click here.