NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT

STURGIS, S.D. – The Rally Department of the City of Sturgis has released a very informative report revealing the dynamic and far reaching economic impact of the 70th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on South Dakota’s economy.

5,694 Rally visitors responded to a detailed survey conducted by the Sturgis Rally Department from Thursday, August 5 through Saturday, August 14.  By way of comparison, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally survey response is five times larger than a typical presidential poll which normally surveys 1,000 participants.  “Given the incredible response to the survey, we’re very confident in the results”, said Rally Director Brenda Vasknetz.  The survey is designed to illustrate the economic impact of the world’s largest and most famous motorcycle rally on Sturgis economy as well as the State of South Dakota.  “What we have learned from the survey is that 466,796 visitors attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, stayed an average of 7 days, spent an average of $250 per day, $1,750 for the week, and generated a massive economic boost to the State to the tune of $816,893,000!” stated Dave Boone, Sturgis City Manager.   Boone continued with, “The bottom line is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is big business that provides enormous benefits to the State of South Dakota.” 

Other economic indicators, demonstrated across the board, that the Rally has continued growing, both in distance and duration. Sturgis saw increased motorcycle tourism traffic weeks prior to the event with retailers reporting an increase in sales. Hospitality businesses reported an increase of 30% or more in reservations.  During the official week in Sturgis, vendor licenses increased 9%, sales tax and licensing fees increased 13%.  South Dakota sales tax collections increased 13% throughout the Black Hills. Traffic counts submitted by the Department of Transportation starting Saturday, August 7th show Rally numbers were up 17.2% in the Sturgis area to 601,324, and Mount Rushmore achieved its largest single day attendance record on Tuesday, August 10th with 17,600 visitors at the national monument. 

“There is a formula that has been used for several years which helps us estimate attendance during the Rally. Because we know that the surrounding communities all benefit from the visitors we see during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, we include a few factors not specific to Sturgis in order to obtain a truer picture of how successful the Rally was, and how many people attended,” stated Rally Director Brenda Vasknetz. The five factors used in the formula are tons of garbage hauled in Sturgis, temporary vendor licenses issued in Sturgis, DOT counts in and around Sturgis, sales tax collected in the state and traffic counts at Mount Rushmore. Vasknetz continues, “At the end of the day it is important to note that many of the negatives were down; citations, arrests, emergency room visits, etc., and the positives being visitors in the area and revenues were up. From the City of Sturgis perspective, it was a very good rally, especially for an anniversary year.”   

For more information on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Statistics, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Report or Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Survey Results contact the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Department at 605.720.0800 or visit www.sturgismotorcycylerally.com or www.sturgisgov.com.   ###

 

Contact:     Brenda Vasknetz, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Director/City of Sturgis 605/720-0800