CUSTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
& VISITORS BUREAU

 Located at:
615 Washington St
Mailing: PO Box 5018
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-2244 or (800) 992-9818
General information 605-673-2244 ext 1
info@custersd.com
 

Chamber Office Hours:
Memorial Day - Labor Day
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
7 days a week

Labor Day - Memorial Day
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday

Welcome to Custer City

Wade Lampert
Custer Area Chamber of Commerce President

 Thank you for your interest in the City of Custer, the Greater Custer County Area and the Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.  Whether it is for a day or two, a week, or for the rest of your life, I want to welcome you to Custer.  
It doesn’t matter if you are here to see the awe-inspiring man-made monuments or Mother Nature’s breathtaking canvass.  Custer is centrally located to everything in the Black Hills.  Custer State Park, Jewel Cave National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mt. Rushmore National Monument are only a stone’s throw away.  Rapid City, Hot Springs, Deadwood, Hill City, Spearfish and Sturgis are also only a short drive from here. So no matter what your vacation plans are, Custer is the place to do it from.
Custer has some of the best dining and lodging facilities anywhere in the Hills, and the shopping is unequaled.  Whether it is a unique trinket, a one-of-a-kind piece of art, or that special something you been looking for to finish your décor, Custer has it all.
Custer’s elevation is a mile high and just like the high altitude, life in Custer can be intoxicating.  So, let me tell you from personal experience, Custer is the ideal place to raise a family, start or relocate a business or retire and enjoy yourself.  We boast a state-of-the-art medical facility, a first-class educational system, a thriving business environment and the most spectacular scenery you will find anywhere.  I would like to invite everyone to see the Hills from here.
I am proud to call Custer home and I hope you will too, whether for a day, a week or for a lifetime.
I hope to see you in Custer soon! 

Wade

Custer Area Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
Dave Ressler - dressler@custersd.com
605-673-2244 ext 4

Welcome to the Custer Area. Our slogan "You Should See the Hills from Here"
is everything your mind could imagine when you read it. From the hiking, biking, fishing, area attractions, wild life and just natural beauty, we're certain your visit will be one you soon won't forget. Just ask me, that's why my wife and I moved here. Something for everyone along with the opportunity to just relax.
We hope you enjoy your stay in the Custer Area.
Dave

Pam Bilbruck
Office Manager
pbilbruck@custersd.com
605-673-2244 ext 3

Mitch McLain- General Custer/Information Associate

Jill Kettle - Information Associate
 

Karen Heuer - Information Associate




Fred Baumann - Information Associate
 

2010 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

Wade Lampert -  President - State Game Lodge
Jason Petik- Vice President - Custer Community Hospital
Jim Lyon - Treasurer
Darly Stisser - Sylvan Rock Climbing
Craig Pugsley - Custer State Park
Matt Brown - Top Pin Archery
Joe Jackl - Bavarian Inn
Jean Matthesen  - Associate Member
Patti Hauschildt - Century 21
Terry Reetz - City Liaison
Jerry Baldwin - Chamber Legal Counsel

Mickelson Trail passes sold at the
Custer Area Chamber of Commerce

We would like to make sure you are taking full
advantage of your Chamber membership.  

We want you to fully understand the benefits of being a Chamber member and be aware of the ways that you can benefit from this membership.  

Buffalo Bytes is a weekly e-newsletter that goes out every Thursday via email. This
e-newsletter will keep you informed of everything that is going on for the week. This is a very informative piece. 

Monthly we have what is called the Custer Expedition e-newsletter which goes out at the end of each month. This will also have visitor/inquiry/web statistics, membership spotlight etc. This is also a very informative piece that goes out via email.

 Emails – We often send out mass emails if there is something that we want you to be aware of as a member, (fires, bad checks etc).  

The website is one of our biggest inquiry tools www.custersd.com . We have record numbers of hits and page views from our website. We also have banner ads that are located at the bottom of our website. We do not charge to put these on our site, the only charge to you is to get them made, which is about $25. This is a great way to advertise for free.  

Informational Pages - An informative booklet that works great for employers and front line employees. These pages have phone numbers for most of the business in our area. These pages go to our members every May. If you are not receiving these please let us know.

 Red Alert – This is a call list. When the Chamber receives a call that there is counterfeit money out in the businesses we use this call list to make all businesses aware of the issue. 

Mixers – Monthly fun. Jan-April and Oct-Dec every Thursday evening from 5-7 pm. Join us after work to unwind, socialize and network with prospective business contacts. Advertise your business! 

Rack Cards – Let us advertise for you. Give us your rack cards and we will display them for you as well as giving them out to our visitors. Give them to us and we will take them to the Travel Shows we attend. 

Advertising – As a Chamber member you will be listed free of charge in the Chamber visitors magazine, relocation magazine, 4-fold rack cards and our website. All free advertising for you.  

Chamber Benefits and Services
Brochure display privileges in Visitor Center
Co-op advertising opportunities
Listing and advertising in Custer Chamber Business Directory
Listing's in the Southern Hills Vacation Guide, Relocation Guide and 4-folds
Customer Service training for employees
Representation on issues and legislation affecting the business community
"The Chamber Expedition" Monthly e-newsletter
Quarterly membership meetings
Chamber of Commerce Mixers
Membership Directory
Website Listings/Links
Bulk email services
Business referrals
Calendar of Events
Informational pages
Red Alert
7th Calvary Ribbon Cuttings
Custer Cash and other retail promotions
Promote your business at Travel Shows
"Buffalo Bytes" - Weekly e-newsletter

Chamber Member Opportunities

 Membership Directory Listing - Listing Free. Additional Directories available upon request

Internet Directory Listing & Link - Listing Free

Web site Banner's - Free.

Informational Pages - Updated yearly - Free.

Relocation Magazine - Listing Free - Advertising charges

Southern Hills Vacation Guide - Listing Free - Advertising charges

Newsletter Inserts -  "The Chamber Expedition" monthly e-newsletter. 
$25 charge for non-members

In-Room Guide - A Visitors Directory of Attractions/Entertainment, Dining,
Lodging, Shopping/Services that your visitors will find very handy.

Visitors Center Rack Card Placement - Free.

"Buffalo Bytes" Weekly e-newsletter -  Free - Members can put
information on Buffalo Bytes weekly. Emailed every Thursday morning.

FAM's - Familiarization tour hosts. The Custer Area Chamber of Commerce is
often asked to host tour group leaders, travel agents, travel writers etc.
Needs range from lodging, meals, entertainment and admissions

Sponsorship Opportunities - Custer Area Chamber of Commerce Events
Annual Spring Fling, Annual Awards Banquet, Annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cook-Off.

Custer Area Chamber of Commerce Mixers - After hours businesses can have
the opportunity to meet other businesses in a relaxed atmosphere.
Great way to meet people and have others learn about your business.
 

Sponsorship of Annual Events
Annual Chamber Spring Fling
Annual Awards Banquet
Annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cook-Off
"A Custer Christmas" Parade
Crazy Days
Quarterly Membership Meetings
Annual Trade Show
High School Job Fair
Merchants Trick or Treat
"Stuff a Truck"
 

Referrals
The Chamber continually receives numerous requests for business recommendation not only from our local area, but from across the country. Providing both a service to the community and a prime benefit to our membership.

Chamber Mixers
Open to Chamber members and held each month at a different place of business. These popular mixers
serve as an excellent setting to unwind after a long business day and meet other members.

Ribbon Cuttings
The Chamber coordinates ribbon cutting ceremonies with any new or existing member. Members of the Chamber staff and the Chamber Ambassadors are active in promoting these events which will put your business
in the public eye

Custer Cash
What a great way for employers to give to their employees incentives or Christmas gifts. Custer Cash is actually a cash gift certificate that can be purchased at the Chamber office for any amount and then redeemed at one of the 30 participating Chamber member businesses. Over $8,000.00 was sold in 2006 helping to keep money local and spur our economy

Mission Statement
The Custer Area Chamber of Commerce will promote a positive business climate by 
encouraging community unity, growth & development


The Custer Area Chamber of Commerce is a member of the following organizations
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Black Hills Badlands & Lakes Association
Black Hills Visitor Information Center Corp.
South Dakota Retailers Association
South Dakota Chamber & Economic Development Council
Black Hills Business Council
Black Hills Central Reservations

Interested in becoming a Chamber member
Apply for membership now and invest in your community.

The Custer Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to become part of the only organization within Custer County which represents the business community viewpoint. The Chamber is a non-profit organization uniting business and professional firms to create a unique central organization that works to improve the area's business climate by encouraging community growth and development.
 

For more information on membership contact:
Pam Bilbruck
 pbilbruck@custersd.com
605-673-2244

The core of the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce is PEOPLE......

* who realize that Chamber membership and success in business is achieved collectively rather than individually.
* who care about economic prosperity
*who are concerned with government's effect on business

Custer Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 5018
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-2244 or 800-992-9818
email us: info@custersd.com