e-Traveler - Tourism Insider Meeting Registration + More
July 24, 2024
Last Call: Register for the Next Tourism Insider Meeting by July 25
Last call for registrations for next week’s Tourism Insider Meeting in Corning on July 30-31. Registration closes tomorrow, Thursday July 25 at 4 p.m. The agenda and registration can be found here. Rooms are available at the Corning Hotel. Please call to book and mention you are with the Travel Iowa meeting for a 5% discount (total room rate with tax is $122.36).
Please reach out to Stephanie Neppl (stephanie.neppl@iowaeda.com) with questions.
REGISTER
Human Trafficking Recertification for Lodging Properties
Effective January 1, 2022, Iowa lodging providers must have completed the Department of Public Safety’s Human Trafficking Prevention Training certification to receive public funds for any state-funded event. This includes state employee lodging, conferences, meetings or banquets.
These certifications must be renewed every three years. Many properties completed their certification in late 2021 and must now complete the certification process again to stay in compliance. Lodging properties can update their certification with the Department of Public Safety at any time to reset the three-year certification. The process remains the same for certification and the steps are described here.
TAKE ACTION:
New Iowa Wine, Beer and Spirits Economic Impact reports
The Iowa Wine, Beer and Spirits Promotion Board commissioned new economic impact reports for all three industries. For the first time, a report was done on Iowa’s spirits industry in addition to individual wine and beer reports. To see the full reports, visit the “Other Research” page on the Industry Partners website. According to the reports:
WANTED: New or milestone anniversaries in 2025
If you have a museum exhibit, attraction, event or hotel opening or celebrating a milestone anniversary (ending in 0 or 5) in 2025, please send the information to Jessica O'Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com). Information will be used in a feature in the 2025 Iowa Travel Guide (please share photos and/or renderings!), in a virtual media event in October and in other media pitches. Even if all you have is basic info now, please send to Jessica for consideration.
2024 Rising Trends: "Skip Gen" Vacations + Pet Travel
As more Baby Boomers accumulate wealth, time and grandchildren, the popularity of "gramping" or "skip-gen" vacations is accelerating. "Without parents around, grandparents and kids look after each other and spend a lot more quality time getting to know each other," said Matt Berna, president of the Americas at Intrepid Travel. Read more about this emerging trend here.
Pet Travel was the subject of more than 19 million Google searches in the U.S. last year, offering an opportunity to hotels that welcome pets and their owners. "This kind of hospitality can go a long way toward building loyalty, which increases the possibility that guests will book again and share their experiences online," writes Natalia Ball, global chief growth officer at Mars Pet Nutrition, and "an excellent tactic to increase occupancy out of season when both city and rural destinations can become more welcoming for tranquil walks and fresh-air adventures." Learn more here.
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
Grant timelines are required by funders for important reasons. Many are required to spend funds within a specific fiscal or calendar year. Funders also understand that well-thought-out projects are more likely to be implemented in a timely manner. Timelines can be used to help keep you, your partners and contractors on track and accountable. As you develop your timeline, be realistic. Remember to consider pre-project activities such as finalizing contracts, post-project activities like project review and payment to contractors. Talk to contractors to get realistic timelines and expect delays.
Featured Grant: The FY25 Iowa Tourism Grant, which opens August 26, requires a timeline. Implementation must occur between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. However, your timeline for this grant should include more than the start and end dates. Points in the “Project Description” category are in part awarded based on if you have “set forth a reasonable timeline." Before you start writing, clarify timing with partners and contractors, determine milestones and build in time for unexpected delays.
Here are the most important updates this week:
- Last chance to register for the next Tourism Insider Meeting in Corning (July 30-31).
- Ensure your lodging properties complete their Human Trafficking recertification.
- See the new Wine, Beer and Spirits Economic Impact Reports.
- The FY25 Iowa Tourism Grant will begin accepting applications on August 26.
Last Call: Register for the Next Tourism Insider Meeting by July 25
Last call for registrations for next week’s Tourism Insider Meeting in Corning on July 30-31. Registration closes tomorrow, Thursday July 25 at 4 p.m. The agenda and registration can be found here. Rooms are available at the Corning Hotel. Please call to book and mention you are with the Travel Iowa meeting for a 5% discount (total room rate with tax is $122.36).
Please reach out to Stephanie Neppl (stephanie.neppl@iowaeda.com) with questions.
REGISTER
Human Trafficking Recertification for Lodging Properties
Effective January 1, 2022, Iowa lodging providers must have completed the Department of Public Safety’s Human Trafficking Prevention Training certification to receive public funds for any state-funded event. This includes state employee lodging, conferences, meetings or banquets.
These certifications must be renewed every three years. Many properties completed their certification in late 2021 and must now complete the certification process again to stay in compliance. Lodging properties can update their certification with the Department of Public Safety at any time to reset the three-year certification. The process remains the same for certification and the steps are described here.
TAKE ACTION:
- Lodging Partners: Please visit the www.stophtiowa.org website to complete your recertification before December 31, 2024.
- All Tourism Partners: Please help communicate this information to lodging partners to ensure they remain in compliance.
New Iowa Wine, Beer and Spirits Economic Impact reports
The Iowa Wine, Beer and Spirits Promotion Board commissioned new economic impact reports for all three industries. For the first time, a report was done on Iowa’s spirits industry in addition to individual wine and beer reports. To see the full reports, visit the “Other Research” page on the Industry Partners website. According to the reports:
- Impact of Iowa’s Beer Industry, $1.25 billion - 7,219 jobs
- Impact of Iowa’s Wine Industry, $374 million – 1,597 jobs
- Impact of Iowa’s Spirits Industry: $323 million - 2,418 jobs
WANTED: New or milestone anniversaries in 2025
If you have a museum exhibit, attraction, event or hotel opening or celebrating a milestone anniversary (ending in 0 or 5) in 2025, please send the information to Jessica O'Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com). Information will be used in a feature in the 2025 Iowa Travel Guide (please share photos and/or renderings!), in a virtual media event in October and in other media pitches. Even if all you have is basic info now, please send to Jessica for consideration.
2024 Rising Trends: "Skip Gen" Vacations + Pet Travel
As more Baby Boomers accumulate wealth, time and grandchildren, the popularity of "gramping" or "skip-gen" vacations is accelerating. "Without parents around, grandparents and kids look after each other and spend a lot more quality time getting to know each other," said Matt Berna, president of the Americas at Intrepid Travel. Read more about this emerging trend here.
Pet Travel was the subject of more than 19 million Google searches in the U.S. last year, offering an opportunity to hotels that welcome pets and their owners. "This kind of hospitality can go a long way toward building loyalty, which increases the possibility that guests will book again and share their experiences online," writes Natalia Ball, global chief growth officer at Mars Pet Nutrition, and "an excellent tactic to increase occupancy out of season when both city and rural destinations can become more welcoming for tranquil walks and fresh-air adventures." Learn more here.
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
Grant timelines are required by funders for important reasons. Many are required to spend funds within a specific fiscal or calendar year. Funders also understand that well-thought-out projects are more likely to be implemented in a timely manner. Timelines can be used to help keep you, your partners and contractors on track and accountable. As you develop your timeline, be realistic. Remember to consider pre-project activities such as finalizing contracts, post-project activities like project review and payment to contractors. Talk to contractors to get realistic timelines and expect delays.
Featured Grant: The FY25 Iowa Tourism Grant, which opens August 26, requires a timeline. Implementation must occur between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. However, your timeline for this grant should include more than the start and end dates. Points in the “Project Description” category are in part awarded based on if you have “set forth a reasonable timeline." Before you start writing, clarify timing with partners and contractors, determine milestones and build in time for unexpected delays.
- July 30-31, 2024 – Tourism Insider Meeting, Corning
- August 15, 2024 – Iowa Tourism Day at the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines