Backdropped by the tropical paradise of Reptile Gardens and an audience of industry partners, media and non-human friends, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced a new grant program designed to propel innovation in the state's tourism industry.
Gov. Kristi Noem, left, learns about Harley, a red tail hawk, from Nicole Meyer, Assistant Curator of Birds at Reptile Gardens, before a press conference about tourism on Wednesday morning in the Reptile Gardens dome just south of Rapid City.
Gov. Kristi Noem looks back at South Dakota Secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen while holding Fluffy, the alligator, before speaking about tourism at the press conference.
Dayn Phillip, an alligator wrestler, hands Fluffy the alligator to Gov. Kristi Noem while at Reptile Gardens ahead of a press conference about tourism on Wednesday morning just south of Rapid City.
Gov. Kristi Noem looks back at South Dakota Secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen while holding Fluffy, the alligator, before speaking about tourism at the press conference.
Gov. Kristi Noem, left, learns about Harley, a red tail hawk, from Nicole Meyer, Assistant Curator of Birds at Reptile Gardens, before a press conference about tourism on Wednesday morning in the Reptile Gardens dome just south of Rapid City.
Dayn Phillip, an alligator wrestler, hands Fluffy the alligator to Gov. Kristi Noem while at Reptile Gardens ahead of a press conference about tourism on Wednesday morning just south of Rapid City.
