e-Traveler - Learn more about the FY25 Co-op Marketing program
March 27, 2024
Thank You, Attendees!
A sincere thanks to all industry partners who attended the Iowa Tourism Conference. Your participation and support play an important role as we work together to boost tourism in our state. We appreciate your commitment and look forward to continued collaboration.
And, congratulations to the Iowa Tourism Award winners. Award ceremony photos can be accessed here.
Save the date for the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference, which will be held on March 12-13, 2025, at Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona.
Deadline: Register for the Guide Training Workshop
Don't forget to register for the statewide Guide Training Workshop, which will be held April 17 at Briggs Woods Conference Center in Webster City. Tailored for individuals who lead programs at Iowa’s diverse destinations, the interactive workshop will help attendees focus on creating dynamic programs and refining their personal presentation skills. Upon completion, participants have the option to pursue Professional Guide Certification from Iowa State University.
Registration closes on April 3, 2024. See the flyer for more information.
First Impressions Program Now Accepting Applications
The First Impressions program is now accepting applications until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The program offers a comprehensive community assessment conducted by a trained team of unannounced visitors. It will help communities with a population of 10,000 or fewer identify their strengths and weaknesses through the lens of a first-time visitor and develop strategies to strengthen their tourism economy.
Revamped FY25 Co-op Includes Marketing Bundle, Traditional Favorites
Taking a new perspective on co-operative marketing, the FY25 program provides streamlined and simplified options providing value and connection to broader campaigns.
The new Marketing Co-op Bundle includes digital display, native, programmatic audio, digital billboards and video/CTV/OTT. Two bundle options (fall 2024 and spring 2025) are available, each running 10 weeks. Traditional favorites are also available: traveliowa.com leads, consumer email marketing, dedicated email, sponsored content, social media and influencers.
Reservations, taken on a first come, first served basis, will open May 1 at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. on May 15. Contact Jessica O’Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com) with questions.
Contact information for regional print publications, ROVA and Sojern are also provided for those who may wish to pursue insertions on their own. [Note: Buys in the publications or Sojern would be eligible for tourism marketing grants.]
Meet in Iowa Application Period Open
The Meet in Iowa program is now taking applications through Friday, May 17, 2024. Eligible events can receive up to $25,000 reimbursement on eligible expenses by hosting their event in Iowa. Events must occur between June 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025. Conferences, meetings, conventions and tradeshows are eligible if they add a tourism experience and encourage 33% of their attendees to book an extra night. Events that bring in a majority of attendees from out of state are preferred. Learn more here, or contact Katelyn Adams (kadams@restaurantiowa.com).
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
Timing is an art in the grant world and helps savvy grant writers maximize funding. As you strategize for how to leverage one grant to secure another, coordinate project and grant timelines by charting project milestones next to grant application deadlines. Add estimated grant award dates (this can vary from months to years) and required grant implementation periods. Make note of grantors who allow extensions and who will not. Not every grant has to be for the entire project, so nest shorter project components that can be paid for with smaller grants within the larger project timeline. The time it takes you to do this will be worth the effort.
Featured Grant: Iowa’s City Parks & Open Spaces grants provide funding for city projects according to population, ranging from $50,000 for towns with 1,000 or fewer residents to $300,000 for those with over 75,000. These grants can pay up to 100% of a project.
March 27, 2024
Here are the most important updates this week:
- Learn more about the Iowa Tourism Office's FY25 Co-op Marketing program.
- The First Impressions program is accepting applications through May 1, 2024.
- Meet in Iowa is accepting applications through May 17, 2024.
Thank You, Attendees!
A sincere thanks to all industry partners who attended the Iowa Tourism Conference. Your participation and support play an important role as we work together to boost tourism in our state. We appreciate your commitment and look forward to continued collaboration.
And, congratulations to the Iowa Tourism Award winners. Award ceremony photos can be accessed here.
Save the date for the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference, which will be held on March 12-13, 2025, at Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona.
Deadline: Register for the Guide Training Workshop
Don't forget to register for the statewide Guide Training Workshop, which will be held April 17 at Briggs Woods Conference Center in Webster City. Tailored for individuals who lead programs at Iowa’s diverse destinations, the interactive workshop will help attendees focus on creating dynamic programs and refining their personal presentation skills. Upon completion, participants have the option to pursue Professional Guide Certification from Iowa State University.
Registration closes on April 3, 2024. See the flyer for more information.
First Impressions Program Now Accepting Applications
The First Impressions program is now accepting applications until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The program offers a comprehensive community assessment conducted by a trained team of unannounced visitors. It will help communities with a population of 10,000 or fewer identify their strengths and weaknesses through the lens of a first-time visitor and develop strategies to strengthen their tourism economy.
Revamped FY25 Co-op Includes Marketing Bundle, Traditional Favorites
Taking a new perspective on co-operative marketing, the FY25 program provides streamlined and simplified options providing value and connection to broader campaigns.
The new Marketing Co-op Bundle includes digital display, native, programmatic audio, digital billboards and video/CTV/OTT. Two bundle options (fall 2024 and spring 2025) are available, each running 10 weeks. Traditional favorites are also available: traveliowa.com leads, consumer email marketing, dedicated email, sponsored content, social media and influencers.
Reservations, taken on a first come, first served basis, will open May 1 at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. on May 15. Contact Jessica O’Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com) with questions.
Contact information for regional print publications, ROVA and Sojern are also provided for those who may wish to pursue insertions on their own. [Note: Buys in the publications or Sojern would be eligible for tourism marketing grants.]
Meet in Iowa Application Period Open
The Meet in Iowa program is now taking applications through Friday, May 17, 2024. Eligible events can receive up to $25,000 reimbursement on eligible expenses by hosting their event in Iowa. Events must occur between June 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025. Conferences, meetings, conventions and tradeshows are eligible if they add a tourism experience and encourage 33% of their attendees to book an extra night. Events that bring in a majority of attendees from out of state are preferred. Learn more here, or contact Katelyn Adams (kadams@restaurantiowa.com).
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
Timing is an art in the grant world and helps savvy grant writers maximize funding. As you strategize for how to leverage one grant to secure another, coordinate project and grant timelines by charting project milestones next to grant application deadlines. Add estimated grant award dates (this can vary from months to years) and required grant implementation periods. Make note of grantors who allow extensions and who will not. Not every grant has to be for the entire project, so nest shorter project components that can be paid for with smaller grants within the larger project timeline. The time it takes you to do this will be worth the effort.
Featured Grant: Iowa’s City Parks & Open Spaces grants provide funding for city projects according to population, ranging from $50,000 for towns with 1,000 or fewer residents to $300,000 for those with over 75,000. These grants can pay up to 100% of a project.
- April 17, 2024 - Guide Training Workshop, Webster City
- April 18, 2024 - Iowa Tourism Office webinar, virtual
- May 21-22, 2024 - Tourism Insider Meeting, Sioux City