Tourism Insider Meeting
Join industry partners from around the state at the next Tourism Insider Meeting in Iowa City.
Tuesday, November 19
Vue Rooftop at Hilton Garden Inn (328 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA 52240)
Park in the Court Street Transportation Center behind the hotel (150 E. Court St., Iowa City, IA 52240)
- 9:30 a.m. – Doors open. Come in for coffee and conversation!
- 10 a.m. – Host welcome and introductions
- 10:15 a.m. – Iowa Tourism Office Update
- 10:30 a.m. – Annual Economic Impact Presentation by the Iowa Tourism Office
- 11 a.m. – Roundtable Discussions
- 12 p.m. – Lunch provided by the Vue Rooftop
- 1 p.m. – Walk to the Old Capitol (0.3-mile walk. Shuttle will be available in case of inclement weather).
- 1:15 p.m. – Guided self-tour of Old Capitol
- 1:45 p.m. – Cinema in the Community
- Speaker Andrew Sherburne, Executive Director and Founder of FilmScene and the Refocus Film Festival. Andrew will share the history of FilmScene, one of the premier community-centered movie theaters in the country. He will contextualize the larger movement towards cinema as a community builder. He will also talk about the Refocus Film Festival and how festivals are tourism drivers that strengthen Iowa’s ties to the film ecosystem.
- 2:35 p.m. – Group photos at the Old Capitol
- 2:45 p.m. – Walk back to the Vue Rooftop at Hilton Garden Inn
- 3 p.m. – News Ready Workshop
- Speaker Mitch Fick, News Anchor and Reporter for Iowa’s News Now (KGAN CBS 2), will host a session on how prepare for an on camera interview, how to properly pitch stories and how best to stay in touch with the news media.
- 3:45 p.m. – Wrap-up and break
Optional evening activity:
- 5:30 pm – Dinner at ReUnion Brewery (at your expense), 113 East College Street, Iowa City, IA. (0.1-mile walk from the hotel).
- Rooms are available at the Hilton Garden Inn. The room rate is $129 + tax ($146.52). Please call the hotel to book (319.248.6100) and mention you are attending the Iowa Tourism Office meeting or use this link.
Wednesday, November 20
Breakfast on your own. Available for purchase at Hilton Garden Inn or several breakfast hotspots nearby.
- 8:30 a.m. – Rise, Shine, & Improvise! A Beginner’s Improv Class. Riverside Theatre (119 E. College St., Iowa City, IA 52240)
- Join us for a morning improv workshop designed especially for non-performers! This session is all about having fun while building valuable skills like creative thinking, active listening, and collaboration. No experience is necessary—just bring your sense of humor and willingness to try something new. Through playful games, we’ll discover the joy of improvisation in a supportive, low-pressure environment...and we’ll enjoy a few laughs while we’re at it!
- 10 a.m. – Depart