SF Events Center Looking For A Name

SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Sioux Falls Events Center is officially looking for a new name.

The city sent out a request for proposal Friday, seeking a firm to help find companies interested in naming rights both in and around the building. And there's already plenty of interest.

We've been calling it the events center for years, but now, the city's making an effort to try and find an official name for the building.

"We're casting the net with this request for proposal," Sioux Falls Community Development Director Darrin Smith said. "We want to learn who's out there, how do they sell these buildings, how much does it cost?"

Smith says naming rights bring in plenty of revenue, and that includes multiple pieces both inside and outside.

"It could be sponsoring or naming a concourse, a hallway, a scoreboard, all kinds of opportunities," Smith said.

Smith says some firms have already inquired about helping the city find naming rights. But that doesn't necessarily mean the city has to hire one.

"We're not determined to hire somebody," Smith said. "At this point, we are truly just casting a net, who's out there? We think we have a good idea, but we want to confirm that."

Consultants have until March 8 to submit their proposals. Smith says the city is open to anything, but they want to ensure South Dakota companies are well represented.

"That's something we've said from the beginning is very important and we certainly want that local flavor in our new events center," Smith said.

Smith says the title sponsor, which is the name of the actual building, usually takes at least a year to set in stone. But because of the demand, he believes there could be a sponsor by the time of the groundbreaking in August.