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eTraveler: June 29, 2022

June 29, 2022

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Strategic Planning Next Steps

The Iowa Tourism Office, along with Coraggio Group, will be facilitating the next steps of the Iowa Tourism Industry Strategic Plan later this summer. We have identified four of the 12 initiatives as the first priority:

  • Develop a communications plan in support of strategic plan imperatives
  • Establish and enable statewide industry networking, mentorship, collaboration and resource-sharing framework
  • Communicate and develop statewide destination messaging, toolkits and tactics
  • Invest in and share research and data to inform strategic insights

We are seeking a small group (10-12 people total) of industry representatives to take a leadership role in scoping each of these initiatives, identifying gates and milestones to success, and determining action steps. Participation means being involved in quarterly check-ins, being a champion of the strategic plan and assisting in implementing any action steps. These groups will begin meeting in late August and volunteers must participate in the kickoff session.

If you are interested in participating, please indicate your interest and select your main area of interest before Wednesday, July 6 at 4 p.m.

Signing up is not a guarantee of participation. We may move you to a different area of focus to ensure a diverse perspective in each area.

These are just the first four of 12 priority initiatives. If you cannot participate at this time or are interested in helping with another initiative in the strategic plan, there will be additional opportunities in the future.

Sign Up

Applications for Two Tourism Liaison Positions Due July 4

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is seeking two motivated professionals to join the Iowa Tourism Office team as Tourism Liaisons. The Tourism Liaison positions act as vital conduits of information between tourism partners and IEDA, while representing Iowa Tourism Office programs and initiatives to partners in an assigned territory. These positions will be fully remote.

Those that are interested can apply online prior to the July 4, 2022 closing date.

Learn More

Reminder: Listings and Events Paused Until New Site Launches

The ability to create an account, add events or create/edit listings has been disabled until the new traveliowa.com site is live.

Once live, updates for partners on traveliowa.com will include:

  • Accounts tied to companies with the ability to have multiple people under each company with their own login.
  • In your company account, you will be able to manage users tied to your company, maintain your physical, shipping, and billing addresses and update and create your listings and events.
  • You will now place orders for tourism materials through your traveliowa.com account rather than the Simpleview Extranet.
  • City pages will need to be updated through the Iowa Tourism Office.

We will share more updates during the July 21 bi-monthly webinar.

IEDA Announce $16.5M in First Round of Destination Iowa Funding for Quality of Life and Tourism

Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced?$16.5 million in grant funding?for the following four projects through Destination Iowa.

  • Siouxland Regional Trail System - $7,000,000
  • Universal Television, LLC - $6,000,000
  • Polk County Conservation - $2,500,000
  • Dallas County Conservation - $1,000,000

The $100 million program, announced in April, invests in transformational attractions that will bolster the quality of life in Iowa communities and attract visitors and new residents.

IEDA began accepting applications on May 9 and will continue to review applications as they arrive through December 31 or until funding runs out. Applications are scored based on eligibility, completeness, and the project’s ability to meet the program goal of creating transformational tourism attractions. Cities, counties, nonprofits and other organizations can apply for Destination Iowa grants through four separate funds: Economically Significant Development, Outdoor Recreation, Tourism Attraction, and Creative Placemaking.

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Nearly $500,000 Awarded Through Meet in Iowa

As of Tuesday, June 29, the Meet In Iowa Program had pre-approved 39 events, earmarking $495,449 of the total $900,000 available for incentive reimbursements, with a variety of events in both rural and urban communities. These events represent 3,565 new overnight stays booked in Iowa as a result of the program.

Two great examples of events that have been approved:

Tri-City BBQ Fest, Denison – An ancillary tourism experience was added to the event to qualify for the program of a “Stay, Shop & Feast” package for the day before, allowing guests to purchase an overnight stay, tickets to the BBQ fest and a $100 shopping card to incentivize an extra night in Denison. The event was pre-approved for $25,000 reimbursement.

Iron Sharpens Iron Team Camps, Cedar Falls – An ancillary tourism experience was added to this camp to offer attendees discounted park passes to Lost Island Waterpark in Waterloo, good for the day before the camps begin to incentivize additional overnight stays. The event was pre-approved for $24,150.

Apply For Incentive Program

Iowa represents at Midwest Travel Network Conference

Several Iowa tourism destinations and bloggers attended the Midwest Travel Network Conference held in St. Cloud, MN, June 23-25. Congratulations to the Fort Dodge Convention and Visitors Bureau earned the FAM of the Year award and to Jay Jay Goodvin of the Iowa Gallivant for winning Best Blogger Collaboration for the T-Bone Trail. The conference, hosted by the Midwest Travel Network, provides educational and networking opportunities for Midwest-based destinations and bloggers. The 2023 conference is set for June 8-10 in Kansas City, KS.

Regional Sports Authority District (RSAD) Program Open

RSAD grants promote tourism in Iowa by funding projects that relate to the active promotion of nonprofessional sporting events in the state. Convention and Visitors Bureaus are the only eligible applicants. RSAD awards are $50,000 and require a 50 percent cash match.

Applications due July 13, 2022 by 4:00 p.m. CT.

Contact Katie Kenne (katie.kenne@iowaeda.com) with questions.

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AAA Predicts 47.9 Million People Will Travel this Fourth of July

Summer travel is in full swing, and Independence Day will be no exception as AAA predicts 47.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday weekend (June 30-July 4).

This is an increase of 3.7% over 2021, bringing travel volumes just shy of those seen in 2019. The biggest surprise: Car travel will set a new record despite historically high gas prices, with 42 million people hitting the road.

Learn More

U.S. Travel Association - 2022 Summer Trends Brief

U.S. Travel’s Summer Trends Briefing highlights American’s expectations and demand for summer travel as well as the impact inflation and workforce challenges may have on summer travel plans.

  • Despite rising costs on nearly everything, travel demand remains strong as consumers shift spending from goods to services.
  • Intent to travel this summer is high and will approach, and possibly, exceed 2019 levels.
  • Financial concerns are rising while health concerns are diminishing but will impact behaviors more than demand.
  • Auto travel continues to dominate but air travel making a comeback.
  • Workforce shortages will continue to impact the travel experience and struggle to meet demand.

Iowa in the News

Here are some exciting media highlights featuring Iowa.

Upcoming Meetings/Events

  • July 6, 2022 - EITA Annual Meeting
  • July 21, 2022 - Iowa Tourism Office Update (webinar)

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

Calendar of Events

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