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Akaska Walleye Classic & Festival and AIM Ink Historic Partnership

Category: press release

 Apr 12th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Apr 12th, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Akaska, South Dakota – (April 12th, 2010) – Among many outdoor enthusiasts, South Dakota is known as a natural paradise, with gorgeous, varying terrain and waterways and unmatched fishing and hunting opportunities.  A  groundbreaking new partnership with Anglers Insight Marketing (AIM) will showcase all that this gem of the Midwest has to offer, giving outdoorsmen and women an inside look at this great state.  This exciting new partnership has been developed to provide South Dakota and the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival with a unique opportunity to promote itself through the world’s top walleye anglers and the newest, most innovative professional fishing organization in the country.

Details of the partnership include:

•    Three South Dakota-based AIM Pro Anglers will fish from tournament boats wrapped with the South Dakota “Great Faces, Great Places” messaging. These anglers will spread the message of vacations in South Dakota across the Midwest as they compete in AIM Pro Walleye Series™ tournaments, as well as other appearances.
•    50 of the top AIM Pro Anglers will sport the South Dakota Tourism logos on their vehicles, boats, and tournament jerseys throughout the 2010 competition season and other appearances. These Pros will also make special appearances on behalf of South Dakota at numerous travel and sport shows throughout the Midwest.
•    South Dakota Tourism will sponsor the Big Basket Awards at each of the AIM Pro Walleye Series™ in 2010 to further highlight South Dakota’s recognition of anglers’ achievements everywhere.
•    South Dakota Tourism will sponsor a special Pro-Celebrity tournament on August 15th, the day after the Akaska AIM Pro Walleye Series™ event. South Dakota dignitaries will be paired up with AIM Pro Anglers for a special day of competitive fishing on Lake Oahe, featuring the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ format.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ will also provide year-round promotions for South Dakota Tourism via its dynamic multi-media approach and through its five AIM Pro Walleye Series™ events in 2010. Sponsored anglers will help create content focused on demonstrating all that South Dakota has to offer.  This content will be shared via the AIM Website and through other multi-media channels. 

“AIM anglers love fishing in South Dakota and the Akaska South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival has become a favorite stop for many of them and their families,” said Scott Matheson, president and CEO of AIM.  “It is a natural fit for one of our country’s great natural resource states to partner with our growing and promotionally-driven organization.  We look forward to putting our unique marketing abilities to work with the great people of South Dakota to help drive outdoor enthusiasts and their families to vacation in their magnificent state.”

Part of the state’s Matching Dollar Challenge program, this project is designed to fund new initiatives to bring more visitors to South Dakota. George Kessler, Akaska Walleye Classic & Festival spokesperson said,  “AIM gives us the opportunity to share our story through some of the best fishermen in the world and an organization that truly understands how to connect with people who will be interested in visiting our great state.”

Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com. More information about South Dakota Tourism resources and to request a FREE vacation Guide, please visit http://www.travelsd.com.

About the FY2010 Matching Dollar Challenge
The Matching Dollar Challenge is a cooperative marketing partnership that is to be used solely for new initiatives. In order to be considered for the new matching challenge funds, participating organizations must illustrate that funds will be used in cooperation with the Office of Tourism’s efforts. Challenge recipients are working in conjunction with the Office of Tourism for planning and implementation purposes. The Matching Dollar Challenge program is a part of Goal 1 of the 2010 initiative to double visitor spending in South Dakota.

About AIM
Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ (AIM) is a unique tournament organization created by many of the most successful professional walleye anglers and other investors who share a mission of advancing not only competitive angling but the entire fishing industry.  The organization is dedicated to providing unmatched marketing exposure to the competitive anglers and the supporting sponsors. AIM’s unique Catch-Record-Release™ format, dynamic events and the introduction of new and innovative technologies have been designed to bring a higher level of entertainment and useful information to the world of fishing.