Tourism Insider Meeting
Join us for our Tourism Insider Meeting, hosted by the Iowa Tourism Office and Travel Dubuque. The Tourism Insider Meeting series provides opportunities for industry partners from across the state to gather, collaborate, share ideas and network with colleagues in new locations. Please complete the registration form here, and we look forward to seeing you in Dubuque!
Schedule:
Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Grand River Center, 500 Bell Street, Dubuque
- 9:30 a.m. – Come in for coffee and conversation!
- Take part in Holiday Mail Call program! Bring along 10 postcards to be filled out and sent to our troops serving overseas this holiday season. (Travel Dubuque will mail the postcards out later that day.
- 10 a.m. – Host welcome and introductions
- 10:15 a.m. – Iowa Tourism Office Update
- 11 a.m. – Survive, Thrive and High-Five: Real Talk for Tourism Pros. Join us for an engaging session where tourism professionals reflect on the wisdom they wish they had when they started out! Discover game-changing tips that can elevate your role in tourism today—whether you're new or experienced.
- Panelists: Keith Rahe, Travel Dubuque; Karla Thompson, Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce; Leslie Shalabi, Convivium Urban Farmstead; Carrie Stier, Riverboat Twilight; and Elliott Rhoad, Kinseth Hospitality.
- 12 p.m. – Lunch (provided)
- 1 p.m. – Depart for the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (350 E 3rd St)
- Note: we will not return to the Grand River Center, but you may leave your car there and walk, or drive over. If you choose to walk, it's 0.3 miles along the Mississippi Riverwalk. Enter at the large paddlewheel entrance to the Mississippi River Center building.
- 1:45 p.m. Panel discussion: The Power of the Ask: How Grants Fuel Progress & Partnerships.
- Location: Journey Theater
- Discover how grants can do more than fund projects—they can build powerful partnerships within your community. This session will focus on the grants that have transformed Iowa’s first city to make it the thriving tourism destination that it is today.
- Moderator: Tommy Lange, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Panelists: Paula Neuhaus, Dubuque County Historical Society; Gary Stoppleman, Dubuque Museum of Art; Jacque Rahe, Dyersville Economic Development Corporation; and Jill Conners, City of Dubuque.
- 2:45 p.m. – Open Forum Q&A (Submit a question below)
- 3:30 p.m. – Meeting wrap up.
- You are free to explore the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, complimentary, until 5 p.m.
- Optional activity (please direct questions to Julie Kronlage jkronlage@traveldubuque.com) Hotel information:
Rooms are available for attendees at the Hilton Garden Inn Dubuque Downtown, Iowa Hotel at a rate of $96 + taxes for the nights of November 19 and 20. To book, click here. The rate is available through October 30, 2025.
What your peers are saying:
"I had such a great day at the Tourism Insiders Meeting! Meaningful networking, informative presentations and tours of two awesome spaces!"
"This is a great program to see these hidden gems we might know enough to be dangerous when suggesting spots to hit in Iowa, but getting the ‘back-of-the-house’ experience really helps us learn and share what we can to support our partners across the state."
"I appreciate all your efforts to help tourism officials connect and learn from each other."- 8 a.m. - 9:15a.m. – Start Your Day with Purpose & Flavor!
- Location: Convivium Urban Farmstead, 2811 Jackson Street, Dubuque
- Join Travel Dubuque for a one-of-a-kind morning at Convivium Urban Farmstead, a nonprofit transforming Dubuque’s north end since 2018. What began as a mission to combat the community’s food desert has blossomed into a vibrant hub that now provides 200+ homemade casseroles each week—crafted from fresh fruits and vegetables grown right on site.
- This is your chance to tour, learn, and be inspired by the impact Convivium is making while enjoying a farm-fresh breakfast featuring quiche, pastries, and seasonal fruit.
- Cost: $20 per person (meals paid individually)
- No transportation is provided.
- 8 a.m. - 9:15a.m. – Start Your Day with Purpose & Flavor!
Stephanie Neppl
Email stephanie.neppl@iowaeda.com