Tourism Insider Meeting
Join us for our Tourism Insider Meeting, hosted in Independence by Buchanan County Tourism. Register here by August 24th - we look forward to seeing you then!
Tentative Agenda:
- 9:30am - Coffee and networking!
- Come on in and enjoy Em's Coffee Co and some tasty pastry bites from Gedney’s Bakery and Coffeehouse.
- 10am – Welcome from Independence Mayor Brad Bleichner
- 10:15 am - Iowa Tourism Office update
- 11am - Downtown Revitalization Panel: Come hear about Independence downtown transformation which included 9 businesses. Hear directly from those organizations who partnered to create a thriving downtown that continues to grow.
- Moderator: Nate Whited - The Brick Kitchen
- Panelists: Lisa Kremer - Buchanan County Economic Development; Nikki Barth - Independence Area Chamber of Commerce; Matt Schmitz - City Manager, City of Independence; and Kriss Mcgraw - S&K Collectibles.
- 11:45am: Lunch provided by Homemade by Bridget
- 12:30pm: How Independence successfully promotes its our unique assets to tell its stories. This panel will share stories about how Independence used its history and key attractions to create ongoing events to attract new and repeat visitors.
- Moderator: Ben Bonar, Buchanan County Conservation Director
- Panelists: Katie Hund - Cedar Rock State Park; Lisa Kremer - Buchanan County Economic Development; Michael Maas - Buchanan County Conservation, Michelle McBride - Celebrate Indee; and Nikki Barth - Independence Area Chamber of Commerce.
- 1:30pm Bus to Cedar Rock State Park
- 1:30pm Cedar Rock State Park tour. Explore Frank Lloyd Wright's only signature home in Iowa! Cedar Rock, the Walter Estate, is constructed of steel, glass and concrete and the estate includes a stunning Usonian-style home, river pavilion, council fire and a formal entrance gate.
- 3:30pm - Bus back to Downtown Independence
Website https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/independence-tourism-insider-meeting