Amazing Rush with POMA #VisitRapidCityMAC Outdoorswith Mia Anstine -- Encouraging everyone to get outside, hunt, fish, shoot, and savor all life has to offer.

It’s been a whirlwind of a month, and I’d say the grand finale has been partaking in the Amazing Rush with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), but it didn’t stop there. I’ve since been to Grand Junction, CO to testify before the Game Commission, and to Glenwood Springs, CO for the Upper Colorado River Chapter of SCI’s banquet. I’ll limit this post to the contest put on by the folks at Visit Rapid City.

I’ve been a member of POMA for more than a decade and attended my first conference a few years back when it happened to be held a little more closely to my region of the U.S.. Already planning to tour the University of Montana campus in Missoula, my family and I made the +15 hour trek to Kalispell, MT. for the annual writer’s event.

Not long after the conference, someone nominated me to become a board member for POMA. I became a member of the directors and a suggestion I gave the Executive Director (hereafter in this story he’ll be called ED), year after year, is to hold the conference in a larger variety of locations throughout the country. — I may have been a pest in this category.

A month or so ago I received a message from the Executive Director asking if I’d do a site tour with him. Having an already jam-packed calendar, I sighed and asked the dates, then replied that I’d squeeze the event into my schedule. Immediately thereafter, I received a message from Visit Rapid City welcoming me to the Amazing Rush.

I’m not going to lie, my immediate reaction was that of contempt. The Amazing Rush is a spin-off from the Amazing Race TV show, which I’d never watched but knew it would be a lot of work, and I really needed time for my real work.

I thought of calling the ED and canceling, but remembered the countless times I’d suggested locations, sent locations, contacted Convention and Visitors Bureaus and sent them on to the ED. I resigned myself to the contest and hoped for the best.

The Amazing Rush by Visit Rapid City

Per Visit Rapid City, the Amazing Rush is two days of attraction-packed adventure, and they’re not kidding.

“You and a teammate will spend two days, May 6-7, 2019, in Rapid City and the Black Hills competing with other meeting planners as you make exciting stops at national attractions (like Mount Rushmore) and compete in fun challenges throughout the destination. You’ll take part in hands-on team building activities, see the destination’s unique meeting venues and explore the rich culture of Downtown Rapid City.” ~ Visit Rapid City

Including arrival and departure days, the excursion added up to four days, but we partook in a month’s worth of adventure in two days. I’ll list an itinerary below and include a photo recap. The ED and I didn’t end up winning the Rush race, but we did take away the “Team Spirit” award.

At nearly every location we partook in a contest and answered a challenge question, which led us to the next location. I’ve included the many businesses and the competitions in bold. There is so much to do in the Rapid City area. It’s a great place for a business convention. We’ll definitely be back!

For the Amazing Rush, you need to be smart, quick, and skilled to earn points in this competition. — So much fun!

Sunday, May 5, 2019
Fly into Rapid City Regional Airport
5:30 PM- Teams will gather in the Best Western Ramkota Hotel lobby
5:45 PM – 7:00 PM: Group dinner at Minerva’s and hotel tour.

Monday, May 6, 2019
(6:00 AM – 8:00 AM) Media interviews at Main Street Square with breakfast at Alternative Fuel.
(8 AM- 8:30 AM) Main Street Square – Opening Ceremony and yoga at Sol Yoga Collective.
(8:30 AM- 9:15 AM) City of Presidents – scavenger hunt beginning and ending in Main Street Square
(10:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Crazy Horse Memorial scavenger hunt.
(11:30 AM – 1:00 PM) Mount Rushmore lunch and quiz plus dessert at Carver’s Marketplace.
(1:00 PM – 2:30 PM) Rushmore Tramway Adventures – Aerial Adventure Park competition in the sky.
(2:45 PM – 3:30 PM) Reptile Gardens – Photo scavenger hunt.
(4:15 PM – 5:00 PM) Black Hills Contraband – Taste test game.
(5:00 PM – 6:00 PM) Dinner at the Firehouse Brewery.
Tour of the Firehouse Wine Cellars.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019
(7:00 AM – 7:30 AM) Walk through Memorial Park. (This task had to be rescheduled due to rain.)
(7:45 AM – 9:00 AM) Breakfast at the Canyon Lake Resort Reunion Lodge with catering done by Black Hills Bagels. Summer Camp Challenge Games including pinball, Jenga, and ping-pong followed by a bean bag toss.
(9:05 AM – 9:45 AM) Chapel in the Hills tour.
(10:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Outdoor Campus West – Archery competition
(11:15 AM – 1:00 PM) Fork Real Cafe lunch and Buffalo burger cookoff.
(1:15 PM – 2:00 PM) Feeding South Dakota – Race to see which team can fill the most bags of food.
(2:20 PM – 3:00 PM) Journey Museum – Tour with ‘Hops & History’ quiz.
(3:15 PM – 4:15 PM) Central States Fairgrounds – High School Rodeo saddle bronc practice presented by Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo. Contestants draw a cowboy whose score is assigned to the contestant’s points.
(4:15 PM – 4:45 PM) Carriage ride by Black Hills Buggies.
(4:45 PM – 6:00 PM) Hotel Alex Johnson – assemble puzzle pieces, take part in Travel Rally Day, and Amazing Rush awards presentation.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Travel home – This endeavor actually didn’t take me home as United Airlines had mechanical issues with our aircraft, which caused a seven-hour delay. I managed to reroute myself to another airport to get me closer to Grand Junction where I needed to be at 7:00 am the next day to testify in opposition of an anti-hunting petition. — Where there’s a will, there’s a way! — It’s always an adventure!