Lakota Nation Invitational Unifies And Strengthens Rapid City, S.D.

Top Quote The Lakota Nation Invitational, an athletic and cultural event will be held on Dec. 15-18 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D. End Quote
  • Rapid City, SD (1888PressRelease) December 08, 2010 - The 34th annual Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI), an athletic and cultural event, will be held on Dec. 15-18 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The tournament hosts basketball, wrestling, language bowl, knowledge bowl, business, cheerleading, storytelling, hand games and art competitions. Each year more than 2,600 participants, along with their families, friends and fans, travel to Rapid City to compete. In addition to the competitions, seminars are hosted by tribal leaders at convention facilities throughout Rapid City.

    As part of Governor Rounds' proclaimed Year of Unity, the LNI board of directors is making a concerted effort to invite all races to learn about the Native American culture and to support racial unity within the state.

    "In conjunction with the Year of Unity, the Convention and Visitors Bureau is helping to promote the event," says Domico Rodriguez, sports and events sales director at the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Without a doubt the LNI tournament has great potential to encourage citizens to share their love of sports and promote diversity."

    The tournament also has a substantial economic impact on the Rapid City area. Over the three-day event, participants are expected to spend over $975,000. The event attracts thousands to Rapid City at a time of the year when tourism numbers are low.

    "This event is one of the largest sporting events held in Rapid City all year, and its timing on the weekend before Christmas is a major boost to local hotels, restaurants and stores," says Rodriguez. "People come to participate, watch the events and end up Christmas shopping while they are here."

    More information on the Lakota Nation Invitational can be found at lakotanationinvitational.org.

    The Rapid City CVB is a division of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. The CVB's mission is to market the Rapid City area as a convention and leisure destination and to promote economic growth that will enhance the area for visitors and residents.

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