e-Traveler - Travel Iowa AI Chatbot Launch + More
May 14, 2025
Meet Goldie, Travel Iowa's New AI Chatbot
Today, Travel Iowa is launching Goldie the Goldfinch, our official Iowa Insider who will help answer traveler's questions. This AI Chatbot indexes the Travel Iowa site every 24 hours (with additional information gathered from Google when necessary) to provide travelers with the most updated and unique information.
Now is a great time to add/update your listings and events to TravelIowa.com to ensure Goldie can provide your information to travelers. It is FREE to do so.
Co-op Reservations Close TOMORROW at 4 p.m.
Reservations for the FY26 Co-op Marketing Program close tomorrow, May 15, at 4 p.m. Limited opportunities remain:
Refreshed "Give It Time" Campaign Creative
In April, Travel Iowa released new creative to extend the “Give It Time” brand platform that was announced at the Iowa Tourism Conference. This new creative is in market now and encourages summer fun, rest and relaxation. You can see the new 30 second ad here.
National Travel & Tourism Week Promotion Recap
Thank you to all the partners who participated and shared more than 100 posts during our National Travel and Tourism Week promotion last week. Congratulations to Visit Mount Vernon-Lisbon – their organization was randomly selected as the winner of a 1/6-page ad in the 2026 Iowa Travel Guide.
National Travel & Tourism Week Media Segments Highlight Favorite Locations
Jessica O’Riley appeared in three segments on Quad Cities Live (May 5). In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, Jessica and the two hosts shared some of their favorite locations across the state. Jessica also shared some unique lodging options including covered wagons, vintage campers and tiny houses. In an appearance on Everyday Iowa (May 6), Jessica and the host also shared more favorite locations.
Want to be featured in media interviews? Make sure your events and listings are updated on traveliowa.com. (Pro tip: Adding photos helps!)
Save the Date: 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference
Please save the date for the 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference! It will be held March 12-13, 2026, at Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona. The conference will again follow a day-and-a-half format, with the full day on Thursday and a half day on Friday, ending with the Iowa Tourism Awards Luncheon. More details, registration and room block information will be available in the fall. We hope to see you there!
Save the Date: August Tourism Insider Meeting
Thank you to those who were able to join us in Spencer for the most recent Tourism Insider Meeting. Be sure to mark your calendars for the next one, which will be held on August 28 in Webster City.
Updated Economic Impact Report URL
Due to the recent move of Tourism Economics data to a US-based server, there is a new hosting URL for the interactive dashboard of the Iowa Tourism Economic Impact. Please save this new link if you have bookmarked the interactive dashboard, as the old one will longer work, effective next week.
The Iowa Tourism Industry Partners Page URL has not changed. You can always access all economic impact data here.
Here are the most important updates this week:
- Meet Goldie, Travel Iowa's new AI chatbot.
- Co-op Marketing Program reservations close TOMORROW at 4 p.m.
- Watch Travel Iowa's refreshed Give It Time campaign creative.
- Save the date for the 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference on March 12-13, 2026.
Meet Goldie, Travel Iowa's New AI Chatbot
Today, Travel Iowa is launching Goldie the Goldfinch, our official Iowa Insider who will help answer traveler's questions. This AI Chatbot indexes the Travel Iowa site every 24 hours (with additional information gathered from Google when necessary) to provide travelers with the most updated and unique information.
Now is a great time to add/update your listings and events to TravelIowa.com to ensure Goldie can provide your information to travelers. It is FREE to do so.
Co-op Reservations Close TOMORROW at 4 p.m.
Reservations for the FY26 Co-op Marketing Program close tomorrow, May 15, at 4 p.m. Limited opportunities remain:
- Consumer email banner ad
- Consumer email featured event
- Consumer email featured lodging
- Consumer email sponsored content
- Social media
- Sponsored website content
Refreshed "Give It Time" Campaign Creative
In April, Travel Iowa released new creative to extend the “Give It Time” brand platform that was announced at the Iowa Tourism Conference. This new creative is in market now and encourages summer fun, rest and relaxation. You can see the new 30 second ad here.
National Travel & Tourism Week Promotion Recap
Thank you to all the partners who participated and shared more than 100 posts during our National Travel and Tourism Week promotion last week. Congratulations to Visit Mount Vernon-Lisbon – their organization was randomly selected as the winner of a 1/6-page ad in the 2026 Iowa Travel Guide.
National Travel & Tourism Week Media Segments Highlight Favorite Locations
Jessica O’Riley appeared in three segments on Quad Cities Live (May 5). In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, Jessica and the two hosts shared some of their favorite locations across the state. Jessica also shared some unique lodging options including covered wagons, vintage campers and tiny houses. In an appearance on Everyday Iowa (May 6), Jessica and the host also shared more favorite locations.
Want to be featured in media interviews? Make sure your events and listings are updated on traveliowa.com. (Pro tip: Adding photos helps!)
Save the Date: 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference
Please save the date for the 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference! It will be held March 12-13, 2026, at Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona. The conference will again follow a day-and-a-half format, with the full day on Thursday and a half day on Friday, ending with the Iowa Tourism Awards Luncheon. More details, registration and room block information will be available in the fall. We hope to see you there!
Save the Date: August Tourism Insider Meeting
Thank you to those who were able to join us in Spencer for the most recent Tourism Insider Meeting. Be sure to mark your calendars for the next one, which will be held on August 28 in Webster City.
Updated Economic Impact Report URL
Due to the recent move of Tourism Economics data to a US-based server, there is a new hosting URL for the interactive dashboard of the Iowa Tourism Economic Impact. Please save this new link if you have bookmarked the interactive dashboard, as the old one will longer work, effective next week.
The Iowa Tourism Industry Partners Page URL has not changed. You can always access all economic impact data here.
- 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