eTraveler - August 9, 2023

August 9, 2023

Deadline: Tourism Insider Meeting Registration

Don't forget to register for the next Tourism Insider Meeting, which will be held August 29-30 in Pella.  Registration closes on Thursday, August 24, at 4 p.m.

The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and lunch will be provided. It will focus on managing your destination's print publications, how to be featured in the Iowa Travel Guide, an Iowa Tourism Grant update, along with networking and an open forum for collaboration and discussion.

Attendees will also experience the town of Pella through a tour of the Pella Opera House and the Pella Historical Museum as well as learn the stories behind the creation of Nederlanders Tap and Golf.

The bulk of the meeting will occur from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but we encourage you to consider staying the night and joining us for an optional morning activity on Wednesday. A hotel block is available for Tuesday, August 29, at the Country Inn & Suites. To book, please call 641-620-1111 and ask for the Travel Iowa Insiders Meeting rate, which is $94 + tax each room.

REGISTER

Remnant Space Available for FY24 Co-Op Program

Thank you to all the partners participating in the FY24 Co-op program. With your partnership, we were able to move forward with more than 80% of the opportunities. There is still limited space available in some of those outlets. Reservations will again be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  • Midwest Living
  • Illinois Country Living
  • Minnesota Monthly Ultimate Travel Guide
  • Missouri Life
  • South Dakota Living
  • Digital Native/Banner Ads (Sojern)
  • Tinybeans
  • Kansas City Billboard
  • Consumer Email Ad: February 2024
  • Dedicated Email: February 2024
  • Sponsored Content: January 2024
  • Social: August 2023 - January 2024

Please reach out to Jessica O'Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com) with questions or to reserve your space.

Share What's New in '24 for Virtual Media Event

For the last three years, we've held a virtual media event (known as unFAM) for influencers and reporters to share details on new openings, exhibits and events. Following the success of those events, we're doing it again for what's new in 2024! If you have a new museum exhibit, attraction or hotel opening in 2024, please send the information to Jessica O'Riley (jessica.oriley@iowaeda.com) by Friday, September 1 at 4 p.m.

There is no cost to participate in the unFAM if you are selected. We only ask that you provide a giveaway item that we can ship to participants in advance. They'll then "unbox" these surprises as they move though the hour-long showcase. This is an incredible opportunity to get in front of media and share your stories! 

Northeast Iowa Regional Trails 2021 Economic Impact Analysis Now Available

The Upper Exploreland Regional Planning Commission has conducted an economic impact analysis of Northeast Iowa’s regional trail system. The group found that Northeast Iowa’s four current trails (Pony Hollow Trail, Prairie Farmer Recreation Trail, Turkey River Recreational Corridor and Trout Run Trail) attract over 120,000 annual trips. Trail-related industries generate over $6 million in annual spending and nearly $15 million in economic impact. The group also calculated the potential impact of scaling up the regional Backbone trail system, which could quadruple the number of annual trips and annual economic impact. Read the full report here

Upcoming Meetings

  • August 17, 2023 - Tourism Day at the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines
  • August 24, 2023 - Central Iowa Tourism Region Meeting, TBD
  • August 29-30, 2023 - Tourism Insider Meeting, Pella
  • September 21, 2023 - Iowa Tourism Office Update, virtual
Check out the calendar of events for more details and upcoming meetings.

 

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