Open Search

eTraveler: April 11, 2022

April 11, 2022

The E-Traveler is our bi-weekly industry communication email. Sign up to receive them.

Destination Iowa: $100M Investment in Iowa’s Quality of Life and Tourism

Destination Iowa will provide grants to help communities move forward on transformational, shovel-ready attractions. Cities, counties, nonprofits and other organizations can apply for Destination Iowa grants from four separate funds: Economically Significant Development, Outdoor Recreation, Tourism Attraction, and Creative Placemaking.

Applications will be accepted starting May 9. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. For more information on Destination Iowa, visit iowaeda.com/destination-iowa/. A webinar is planned for April 15 at 10 a.m. Those attending the tourism conference can hear more during the placemaking panel sessions on April 20.

Funding is being made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Learn More

Recording of the webinar from April 6, 2022. If a CVB or DMO and their membership are interested in a webinar The Iowa Restaurant Association and the Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association can set that up. Please contact Emilee Zimmerman at EZimmerman@restaurantiowa.com.

Meet (in) Iowa Incentive Program Launches Today

The Meet in Iowa Meeting and Event Incentive Program application process is now open. The program's goal is to attract, retain, and expand in-person overnight events, as well as incentivize groups to experience local tourism attractions.

Eligible events include business meetings, conventions, exhibitions, trade shows, sporting events, festivals, concert series, and more. Events must generate hotel night stays, meet population-based budget minimums and take place in Iowa between May 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. New and currently booked events may qualify for pre-approved reimbursement amounts up to $25,000.

Learn More

National Travel and Tourism Week: May 1-7

The Iowa Tourism Office is excited to promote Iowa to potential visitors for National Travel and Tourism Week and has created daily themes for our promotional efforts. We invite you to join us in the celebration. Make sure to tag any of your posts with #NTTW22 and #ThisIsIowa so we can engage with your efforts!

  • Monday: Iowa’s Hidden Gems
    Iowa is full of surprising, off-the-beaten-path spots. Share your community’s hidden gems large and small – from attractions and parks to unique lodging and special menu items. The Iowa Tourism Office will also release our “99 Hidden Gems” content piece, featuring a hidden gem from each county.

  • Tuesday: Tour Tuesday
    Take visitors on a virtual tour of your county, community, attraction or business. Find real visitor photos or videos tagged on Instagram and ask to share to give your followers an authentic view. Thank visitors for traveling and spreading the word about Iowa tourism

  • Wednesday: How it started vs How it's going
    Jump on to this trend and share how you’ve grown over the years! Share a historical photo of your attraction along with a modern-day photo. Compare a before and after photo of a large development. Make sure to include in the caption your #FutureofTourism plans too – what do you have planned next?

  • Thursday: Eye on Events
    Look ahead and ask visitors to save the date for your upcoming summer events! Create Facebook events, share images from past events and make sure your events are updated on the Travel Iowa calendar.

  • Friday: Toast to Tourism
    Join us in a toast to tourism on Friday – wind down the week by talking up your community’s wineries, breweries, distilleries, and restaurants on social media. Or, host a tourism happy hour for your partners to celebrate the upcoming tourism season!

If you are hosting an event for National Travel and Tourism Week, our team would also like to know. Please email katie.kenne@iowaeda.com.

Wanted: 2022 Farm-to-Table Events

As nice weather approaches, we're looking for farm-to-table events across the state. Help us show off the best of Iowa's flavors by sending your events to Amber Rottinghaus at amber.rottinghaus@iowaeda.com.

Partner Highlight: Unleash CB Spring Travel Marketing Initiative

The Council Bluffs CVB has launched its spring digital campaign to promote overnight hotel stays in Council Bluffs. Seven hotel properties have provided discounted rates that are highlighted and promoted on the getaway landing page. The landing page also features seasonally appropriate blogs that give visitors inspiration and ideas on the things to do while visiting Council Bluffs. As the weather continues to improve, more blogs will be added that highlight the exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities in the area.

If you'd like to learn more about this marketing initiative you can reach out to Mark Eckman, Executive Director, at meckman@unleashcb.com.

Upcoming Meetings

  • April 19, 2022 - iTIP April Membership Meeting
  • April 19-20, 2022 - Iowa Tourism Conference
  • April 26, 2022 - CITR Guide Certification Workshop
  • May 11, 2022 - EITA Membership Meeting
  • May 12-13, 2022 - iLEAD Leadership Symposium
  • May 19, 2022 - Iowa Tourism Office Update (webinar)
  • May 25, 2022 - CITR Membership Meeting

Check out the calendar of events for more details and upcoming industry meetings.

Calendar of Events

Register for Iowa Careers in Hospitality & Tourism Virtual Roundtables

Virtual employer-only roundtable/focus groups to review and discuss proposed statewide career awareness materials are being held this month. Employers are welcome to join any of these sessions that best fit their schedules. A small number of seats are also open for educators, workforce advisors, and other support partners.

Iowa in the News

Here are some exciting media highlights featuring Iowa.

  • KFJB: Jessica O’Riley shared upcoming events in her monthly radio feature.
  • Sioux City Journal: Sioux City saw more than 1.2 million "unique visitors" in 2021.
  • John McGivern’s Main Streets will feature Le Claire Iowa in an upcoming episode.
  • KGAN: "Destination Iowa" to provide grants to help communities boost tourism
  • WOWT (Omaha): Final designs revealed for Adventure Tower at Council Bluffs River’s Edge Park.
  • The Daily Freeman-Journal: Wish you were here: Iowa’s going all out for tourists.

Share Your Events and Unique Stories

If you haven't done so yet make sure to add your upcoming spring and summer events to the Travel Iowa event calendar. Also, start thinking ahead and get your 2022 fall and winter events added!

Adding your event to the calendar is FREE and it means your event could be seen by thousands of Iowa travelers. Plus, events on our calendar get priority consideration in our media outreach and consumer emails.

Submit Event

On thisisiowa.com, you can expect to find stories that highlight all of the wonderful opportunities, initiatives, and work made possible by real Iowans who live and work in the state.

We want to hear from you. Select stories may be featured in our marketing efforts, including social media and websites, to showcase the people behind Iowa’s success, business community, and unique culture.

Thanks for helping us spread the word about all our great stories Iowa has to share.

Share Your Story

Return To All E-Travelers

;