e-Traveler - Soul of Iowa 2.0 Videos Now Available + More
August 7, 2024
All Soul of Iowa 2.0 Videos Now Available for Cross-Posting
All partners now have access to the MP4 versions of all Soul of Iowa campaign footage for resharing and cross-posting on your own social media platforms, on your websites and in digital marketing. You may access and download files here.
Please review the usage documents and guidelines prior to use – some videos have different guidelines than others. You may use the hashtags #TravelIowa and #ThisIsIowa when posting. If you have questions, please contact Amy Zeigler (amy.zeigler@iowaeda.com).
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:
Visit the Travel Iowa Booth at the Iowa State Fair
The Travel Iowa booth will again be present in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fair. Volunteers at the booth will highlight your destinations, hand out your travel materials and chat with Fairgoers about traveling Iowa. While you're attending the fair, be sure to stop by to say hello!
Register for the Iowa Sports Market Analysis Webinar
Join the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Travel Industry Partners as Huddle Up Group presents findings from the Iowa Sports Market Analysis, completed in 2024. The webinar will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The webinar will cover findings from the report:
Results from the FY24 Influencer Co-op Exceed Industry Benchmarks
Twelve posts for the six partners in the FY24 Tourism Co-op Influencer opportunity – Catch Des Moines, Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Area Tourism Association, Meet Ottumwa, Travel Dubuque and Visit Decorah – generated more than 378,000 impressions.
The average Instagram Reel view-thru rate was 78.86%, almost four times the industry benchmark of 20%. The average in-feed engagement rate was 3.7%, nearly doubling the industry benchmark of 2%. Additionally, the content received more than 2,500 saves, indicating further engagement that people wanted to revisit the content later, potentially using it to plan their own trip.
O’Riley to Attend Outdoor Writers Association of American Conference
Jessica O’Riley will attend the Outdoor Writers Association of American (OWAA) conference in El Paso, Texas, September 19-22, 2024. OWAA is an international organization of professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. Members include writers, editors, authors, digital content creators, broadcasters, podcasters, film and video producers, photographers, publishers and public relations professionals.
While at the conference, O’Riley will participate in a media marketplace and pitch members on Iowa’s outdoor adventures. OWAA’s members are specialists in most areas, including biking, recreational vehicles, hiking, boating, archery, camping, travel, wildlife and fisheries, nature studies, backpacking, paddling and forestry. This is the first year the Iowa Tourism Office has been a member of this organization.
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
When in doubt, make the call. After you have read through all the guidelines, the FAQ, instructions and other information available from the grantor, you may still have questions. It is better to find the answers directly from the grant administrator. Some are not allowed to talk with you about your project but may be allowed to answer questions via email. Others are very accessible. They may invite you to attend trainings or call them. If they do communicate with you, listen, consider and adjust your project to craft a winning proposal.
Featured Grant: National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant is a creative placemaking grant program that supports activities that integrate arts, culture and design into local efforts that strengthen communities over the long term. Our Town projects not only engage local stakeholders to advance local economics, physical or social outcomes, but they can also improve your tourism appeal when well planned.
Here are the most important updates this week:
- All Soul of Iowa 2.0 videos are now available for cross-posting.
- Ensure your lodging properties complete their Human Trafficking recertification.
- Register for the Iowa Sports Market Analysis Webinar on September 5, 2024.
- See the exciting results from the FY24 Influencer Co-op program.
All Soul of Iowa 2.0 Videos Now Available for Cross-Posting
All partners now have access to the MP4 versions of all Soul of Iowa campaign footage for resharing and cross-posting on your own social media platforms, on your websites and in digital marketing. You may access and download files here.
Please review the usage documents and guidelines prior to use – some videos have different guidelines than others. You may use the hashtags #TravelIowa and #ThisIsIowa when posting. If you have questions, please contact Amy Zeigler (amy.zeigler@iowaeda.com).
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.
Visit the Travel Iowa Booth at the Iowa State Fair
The Travel Iowa booth will again be present in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fair. Volunteers at the booth will highlight your destinations, hand out your travel materials and chat with Fairgoers about traveling Iowa. While you're attending the fair, be sure to stop by to say hello!
Register for the Iowa Sports Market Analysis Webinar
Join the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Travel Industry Partners as Huddle Up Group presents findings from the Iowa Sports Market Analysis, completed in 2024. The webinar will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The webinar will cover findings from the report:
- Evaluation of destinations through the Sports Tourism Index™ benchmarking tool
- Economic impact, facility inventory and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in regards to the sports tourism market in Iowa
- Recommendations for how to grow Iowa's sports tourism market
Results from the FY24 Influencer Co-op Exceed Industry Benchmarks
Twelve posts for the six partners in the FY24 Tourism Co-op Influencer opportunity – Catch Des Moines, Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Area Tourism Association, Meet Ottumwa, Travel Dubuque and Visit Decorah – generated more than 378,000 impressions.
The average Instagram Reel view-thru rate was 78.86%, almost four times the industry benchmark of 20%. The average in-feed engagement rate was 3.7%, nearly doubling the industry benchmark of 2%. Additionally, the content received more than 2,500 saves, indicating further engagement that people wanted to revisit the content later, potentially using it to plan their own trip.
O’Riley to Attend Outdoor Writers Association of American Conference
Jessica O’Riley will attend the Outdoor Writers Association of American (OWAA) conference in El Paso, Texas, September 19-22, 2024. OWAA is an international organization of professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. Members include writers, editors, authors, digital content creators, broadcasters, podcasters, film and video producers, photographers, publishers and public relations professionals.
While at the conference, O’Riley will participate in a media marketplace and pitch members on Iowa’s outdoor adventures. OWAA’s members are specialists in most areas, including biking, recreational vehicles, hiking, boating, archery, camping, travel, wildlife and fisheries, nature studies, backpacking, paddling and forestry. This is the first year the Iowa Tourism Office has been a member of this organization.
Helpful Tools to Organize Grant Opportunities
When in doubt, make the call. After you have read through all the guidelines, the FAQ, instructions and other information available from the grantor, you may still have questions. It is better to find the answers directly from the grant administrator. Some are not allowed to talk with you about your project but may be allowed to answer questions via email. Others are very accessible. They may invite you to attend trainings or call them. If they do communicate with you, listen, consider and adjust your project to craft a winning proposal.
Featured Grant: National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant is a creative placemaking grant program that supports activities that integrate arts, culture and design into local efforts that strengthen communities over the long term. Our Town projects not only engage local stakeholders to advance local economics, physical or social outcomes, but they can also improve your tourism appeal when well planned.
- August 15, 2024 – Iowa Tourism Day at the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines
- September 5, 2024 - Iowa Sports Market Analysis Webinar, virtual
- September 24-25, 2024 – Tourism Insider Meeting, McGregor/Marquette