e-Traveler - Register for the Iowa Tourism Office Update Webinar + More
July 2, 2025
Register for the Iowa Tourism Office Update Webinar
Registration is open for the next Iowa Tourism Office Update webinar on Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m. Topics will include info about the next Iowa Tourism Grant cycle, a recap of IPW 2025 and a preview of the August Tourism Insider Meeting in Webster City. Pre-registration is required.
Showcase Your Community’s Trails to Bicyclists on RAGBRAI
The Iowa Tourism Office is partnering with Bike Iowa to create a new mobile visitor information center intended to travel to a wide variety of Iowa bicycling events. The trailer will debut at RAGBRAI in July. Communities, trail groups and tourism partners have the opportunity to staff the “Travel Iowa” side of the trailer during RAGBRAI and be a featured destination in front of thousands of visiting bicyclists. There is NO CHARGE to be featured – just your volunteer time. Partners will be able to:
Iowa Represented at IPW 2025
A large group of Iowa delegates attended IPW 2025 in Chicago earlier this month, selling Iowa to the international travel trade. The Travel Iowa booth hosted 126 business appointments and 20 media appointments, and shared information with another 30+ walk-up visitors, networked and connected with hundreds of global tourism professionals.
Thank you to the partners and organizations that joined the Iowa Tourism Office – Explore Siouxland, Visit Boone County, Visit Decorah, Catch Des Moines, Cedar Rapids Tourism, Visit Fort Dodge, Travel Dubuque, Think Iowa City, Visit Quad Cities, CIT Transportation and Discover Ames.
Iowa Tourism Professionals at Tempest's Tourism Academy
Several Iowa tourism professionals attended Tempest’s Tourism Academy in Minneapolis last week. Many of these attendees were the recipients of Elevate Iowa Tourism education scholarships, provided by the Iowa Tourism Office. Learn more about these scholarships here.
Remnant Space Available in Co-op Program
Some remnant opportunities still remain for the FY26 Tourism Co-op Marketing Program. Email Jessica O'Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com) if you are interested in reserving any of the following. These will remain available until sold or the month passes, whichever comes first. There are no restrictions on the number of opportunities you may purchase, even if you’ve already reserved space in one of the options below.
Jessica O'Riley appeared in three segments on Quad Cities Live (June 23) to talk about weekend getaways in Pella, Fort Madison, McGregor, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and the Amana Colonies. She also featured some unusual attractions including the Iowa Funeral Museum, Matchstick Marvels museum and the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption.
Industry Partners Receive Awards from Midwest Travel Network
Two Iowa tourism industry partners received awards at the Midwest Travel Network's annual conference. Kristin Heimgartner (L) with Explore Siouxland received the 2025 Destination Beyond Expectations Award, and Kerrie Kuiper (R) with Visit Fort Dodge received the 2025 Inspiring Leader Destination Award. Congratulations to you both!
Registration Open for the 2025 CenStates TTRA Chapter Conference
Attend the 2025 TTRA CenStates Chapter Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 22-24. The agenda is jam packed with sessions focused on tourism research plus networking opportunities with industry leaders and vendors for participants to share ideas and discuss challenges. Discover the potential for your tourism business and learn how to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions. Early bird registration rates end August 8.
Regional Sports Authority District Grants Applications Now Open
The Regional Sports Authority District (RSAD) applications are now open for the FY26 grant cycle. The purpose of the RSAD program is to promote tourism by funding projects related to the active promotion of nonprofessional sporting events in the state. Eligible applicants are CVBs. Up to 10 districts can be certified per grant cycle and receive $70,000 toward eligible expenses. The application and additional details are available here.
Applications are due July 31 by 4 p.m. Please contact Lisa Day (lisa.day@iowaeda.com) with questions.
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
What do farm-to-table restaurant choices, farmers' markets, U-Pick and pizza farms all have in common? They provide a unique, local food experience for your visitors, which we know from surveys is a competitive advantage for Iowa communities. What many tourism and economic development professionals don’t realize is that farmers' markets can also be a testing ground for new businesses. If residents and locals flock to a farmers' market vendor every week, that vendor may have what it takes to start a business, contribute to a store that sells local products in the downtown or sell products to local restaurants. The very best farmers' markets act as business incubators.
Featured Grant: The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has several different grants to help build your local food system and maximize its impact for individual growers as well as your community.
Here are the most important updates this week:
- Register for the next Iowa Tourism Office Update webinar on July 24.
- See an opportunity to showcase your community trails during RAGBRAI.
- Regional Sports Authority District Grants are now accepting applications.
Register for the Iowa Tourism Office Update Webinar
Registration is open for the next Iowa Tourism Office Update webinar on Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m. Topics will include info about the next Iowa Tourism Grant cycle, a recap of IPW 2025 and a preview of the August Tourism Insider Meeting in Webster City. Pre-registration is required.
Showcase Your Community’s Trails to Bicyclists on RAGBRAI
The Iowa Tourism Office is partnering with Bike Iowa to create a new mobile visitor information center intended to travel to a wide variety of Iowa bicycling events. The trailer will debut at RAGBRAI in July. Communities, trail groups and tourism partners have the opportunity to staff the “Travel Iowa” side of the trailer during RAGBRAI and be a featured destination in front of thousands of visiting bicyclists. There is NO CHARGE to be featured – just your volunteer time. Partners will be able to:
- Provide your local trail information, maps and marketing materials
- Show a video of your trail amenities
- Sell your local trail and bike related merchandise
- Generate interest in your trails from thousands of cyclists!
Iowa Represented at IPW 2025
A large group of Iowa delegates attended IPW 2025 in Chicago earlier this month, selling Iowa to the international travel trade. The Travel Iowa booth hosted 126 business appointments and 20 media appointments, and shared information with another 30+ walk-up visitors, networked and connected with hundreds of global tourism professionals.
Thank you to the partners and organizations that joined the Iowa Tourism Office – Explore Siouxland, Visit Boone County, Visit Decorah, Catch Des Moines, Cedar Rapids Tourism, Visit Fort Dodge, Travel Dubuque, Think Iowa City, Visit Quad Cities, CIT Transportation and Discover Ames.
Iowa Tourism Professionals at Tempest's Tourism Academy
Several Iowa tourism professionals attended Tempest’s Tourism Academy in Minneapolis last week. Many of these attendees were the recipients of Elevate Iowa Tourism education scholarships, provided by the Iowa Tourism Office. Learn more about these scholarships here.
Remnant Space Available in Co-op Program
Some remnant opportunities still remain for the FY26 Tourism Co-op Marketing Program. Email Jessica O'Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com) if you are interested in reserving any of the following. These will remain available until sold or the month passes, whichever comes first. There are no restrictions on the number of opportunities you may purchase, even if you’ve already reserved space in one of the options below.
- Consumer Email Sponsored Content - $750: Nov. 2025
- Sponsored Website Content - $2,500: Sept. 2025, Oct. 2025
- Social media - $500: Jan. 2026 (1); Feb. 2026 (2)
Jessica O'Riley appeared in three segments on Quad Cities Live (June 23) to talk about weekend getaways in Pella, Fort Madison, McGregor, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and the Amana Colonies. She also featured some unusual attractions including the Iowa Funeral Museum, Matchstick Marvels museum and the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption.
Industry Partners Receive Awards from Midwest Travel Network
Two Iowa tourism industry partners received awards at the Midwest Travel Network's annual conference. Kristin Heimgartner (L) with Explore Siouxland received the 2025 Destination Beyond Expectations Award, and Kerrie Kuiper (R) with Visit Fort Dodge received the 2025 Inspiring Leader Destination Award. Congratulations to you both!Registration Open for the 2025 CenStates TTRA Chapter Conference
Attend the 2025 TTRA CenStates Chapter Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 22-24. The agenda is jam packed with sessions focused on tourism research plus networking opportunities with industry leaders and vendors for participants to share ideas and discuss challenges. Discover the potential for your tourism business and learn how to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions. Early bird registration rates end August 8.
Regional Sports Authority District Grants Applications Now Open
The Regional Sports Authority District (RSAD) applications are now open for the FY26 grant cycle. The purpose of the RSAD program is to promote tourism by funding projects related to the active promotion of nonprofessional sporting events in the state. Eligible applicants are CVBs. Up to 10 districts can be certified per grant cycle and receive $70,000 toward eligible expenses. The application and additional details are available here.
Applications are due July 31 by 4 p.m. Please contact Lisa Day (lisa.day@iowaeda.com) with questions.
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
What do farm-to-table restaurant choices, farmers' markets, U-Pick and pizza farms all have in common? They provide a unique, local food experience for your visitors, which we know from surveys is a competitive advantage for Iowa communities. What many tourism and economic development professionals don’t realize is that farmers' markets can also be a testing ground for new businesses. If residents and locals flock to a farmers' market vendor every week, that vendor may have what it takes to start a business, contribute to a store that sells local products in the downtown or sell products to local restaurants. The very best farmers' markets act as business incubators.
Featured Grant: The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has several different grants to help build your local food system and maximize its impact for individual growers as well as your community.
- July 10, 2025 – Reimagining Iowa’s Group Tour Strategy Webinar, virtual
- July 17, 2025 – Maximizing Iowa’s Meetings & Conventions Potential Webinar, virtual
- July 24, 2025 – Iowa Tourism Office Update Webinar, virtual