Iowa Travel Industry Partners

The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation recently hosted the annual ProStart Invitational, an incredible event where Iowa’s high school students demonstrated their culinary and management skills in a real-world competition setting. A special shoutout to the industry professionals who volunteered as judges - not just scoring performances but mentoring students and offering career guidance. These experiences are invaluable in shaping the future of the hospitality industry. Thank you for investing in Iowa’s next generation of hospitality leaders! #ProStartInvitational #ThisIsIowa 📸 Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation

The iTIP Foundation Awards are now accepting nominations! It’s time to honor the leaders, organizations, and destinations that are driving Iowa’s tourism industry forward. 🌟 🏆 Nominations are open until April 9, 2025, with winners announced in mid-May and celebrated at Summer Celebration on June 10 in Winterset. Categories include individual leader awards, organizational honors, and recognition based on population size - there’s a category for every deserving nominee! Whether it's a visionary leader, an elected official, or a business championing sustainability, this is your chance to recognize outstanding contributions to Iowa’s tourism landscape. Why Nominate? ✨ Elevate someone deserving and showcase their impact 🎉 Celebrate excellence in Iowa’s tourism industry 🌎 Gain recognition and visibility for exceptional work 📅 Nomination Deadline: April 9, 2025 🔗 Submit Your Nomination: https://lnkd.in/evRVtxdU Let’s recognize the innovators and trailblazers shaping Iowa’s tourism future! #IowaTravelIndustryPartners #iTIPAwards #IndustryExcellence

Are you leading an innovative tourism project that deserves to be in the spotlight? iTIP’s High 5 segment at Summer Celebration on June 10 in Winterset is your chance to showcase your work! 📅 Applications are due by April 17, and only 5 will be selected! This fast-paced session gives five tourism professionals five minutes each to present a standout initiative, program, or project making an impact in their community. Whether it’s a creative marketing campaign, a unique event, or a game-changing collaboration, we want to feature your work! Why participate? 🌟 Share your success story with industry leaders 💡 Inspire peers with fresh ideas 🎤 Boost visibility for your destination or project 🤝 Connect with potential partners and collaborators 📌 Presented last year? No worries! You’re welcome to apply again as long as you're showcasing a different project. 🔗 Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/gdyyHw82 Let’s celebrate and elevate tourism innovation in Iowa! #IowaTravelIndustryPartners #iTIP #IndustryLeadership

The iTIP Development Committee is bringing back our online auction, and we’re looking for partners to contribute unique packages that highlight the best of Iowa! 📅 Deadline to Donate: April 11 at 5 PM This isn’t just a fundraiser - it’s an opportunity to showcase your destination, attraction, or business to a national audience while supporting Iowa’s tourism industry. What makes a great donation? ✔️ Hotel stays, tickets, and experiences ✔️ Locally made products & regional gifts ✔️ Destination swag & unique packages Funds raised will support industry research, advocacy, future workforce development, and the promotion of Iowa travel opportunities. 🔗 Ready to contribute? Submit your donation here: https://lnkd.in/gUcmz6Hi Let’s work together to make Iowa’s tourism industry stronger than ever! #IowaTravelIndustryPartners

Stay informed on key industry updates, upcoming events, and valuable member resources with the latest iTIP membership newsletter. 📩 Read the full issue here: https://lnkd.in/g4RXRFeB What’s inside? ✔️ High 5 Applications – Apply to showcase an innovative tourism project. ✔️ Summer Celebration Registration – Secure your spot for June 9-10 in Winterset. ✔️ Member Portal Benefits – Unlock exclusive resources and tools. ✔️ Student Group Tour Itineraries – New content to attract student travel groups. Take advantage of these updates and opportunities to stay in the loop and informed. #IowaTravelIndustryPartners #iTIPUpdates

At the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference hosted by Travel Iowa (Iowa Economic Development Authority), several outstanding organizations and individuals were recognized for their dedication to making Iowa a premier travel destination. We’re especially proud to celebrate our iTIP members who are shaping the future of tourism in our state: 🏅 American State Bank Sports Complex, City of Sioux Center/Sioux Center Municipal Utilities – Outstanding Niche Marketing Campaign 🔹 Honored for their innovative marketing efforts in attracting niche sporting events to the American State Bank Sports Complex, enhancing Iowa’s reputation as a destination for sports tourism. 🏟️ 🏅 Iowa State Fair – Outstanding Marketing Campaign (Budget > $50,000) 🔹 Recognized for their Fair Fever 2024 campaign, which energized audiences and boosted engagement, reinforcing the Iowa State Fair’s reputation as a must-attend event. 🎡 🏅 Greg Edwards (Catch Des Moines) & Wes Ehrecke (Iowa Gaming Association) – Iowa Tourism Legacy Award 🔹 Two industry leaders who have significantly shaped Iowa’s tourism and hospitality sectors. As they prepare for retirement later this year, their contributions will leave a lasting impact on our industry. 🏨🎰 🏅 Visit Quad Cities – People’s Choice Award 🔹 Recognized for their commitment to tourism accessibility, ensuring that all visitors can experience and enjoy what the Quad Cities have to offer. 🌻 👏 Congratulations to all the honorees! Your dedication continues to make Iowa a better place to visit, explore, and experience. 📖 Read more about this year’s award winners: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gHCggW52 #ThisIsIowa #IndustryExcellence

🌳🏕️ Today is 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗼𝘄𝗮 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆! Outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of Iowa’s tourism industry, attracting visitors, boosting local economies, and enhancing our quality of life. From trails and waterways to parks and open spaces, these resources play a critical role in making Iowa a great place to live and visit. Thank you to everyone at the 🏛️ Iowa State Capitol today advocating for the importance of outdoor recreation. Your efforts help ensure continued investment in these opportunities for residents and travelers alike. A shoutout to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for organizing the day. Let’s keep the momentum going for Iowa’s great outdoors! 🚣♂️🚴♀️ #IowaOutdoors #ThisIsIowa #TourismAdvocacy #OutdoorRecreation

⛈️ ❄️ ☀️ ICYMI: We love seeing Iowa tourism and community initiatives in the national spotlight! While Iowa battles unpredictable spring weather, members of the RAGBRAI Dream Team were soaking up the spotlight on The Kelly Clarkson Show! The RAGBRAI Dream Team gives at-risk youth the opportunity to train for and complete RAGBRAI’s nearly 500-mile ride across Iowa - building resilience, confidence, and lifelong skills along the way. Have your tissues ready - this inspiring story is one that will stick with you. A shout out to Casey's for their generous support of the Dream Team - an Iowa brand that continues to uplift communities across the state. Watch now: 👇 📺 https://lnkd.in/g4wuZ9KX #RAGBRAI #DreamTeam #ThisIsIowa #Caseys

🙋♂️Will we see you this week at the Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows? 🙋♀️Make sure to stop by our booth to chat 👋️ and join us for a breakout session, "Winning the Bid: Strategies for Securing Meetings, Conventions & Events," on Thursday, March 13, from 11 – 11:45 AM. ⏰📍 Hear from a DMO representative, a meeting venue representative, and a meeting planner as they discuss the latest trends 📈 in the meetings industry. Learn how rural communities can break into the conference and meetings market and discover strategies to build relationships 🤝 across all three levels of the sales process. Looking forward to seeing you all soon! ✨

🚀 Iowa’s tourism industry is stronger than ever! Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP), in collaboration with the Iowa Tourism Office (Iowa Economic Development Authority), has awarded the final round of Elevate Iowa Tourism: Education Scholarship recipients. With this round of funding, $40,000 has been invested to help 31 industry professionals attend top-tier conferences, expanding their knowledge and strengthening Iowa’s visitor economy. The latest recipients will gain key insights at: ✅ Main Street Now Conference: Downtown revitalization & placemaking ✅ Tourism Academy by Tempest: Digital marketing & destination leadership ✅ Upper Midwest CVB Conference: Regional tourism collaboration & innovation ✅ Women’s Summit by Sports ETA: Leadership & diversity in sports tourism ✅ International Festivals & Events Association Convention: Event planning & sponsorship trends ✅ Institute for Organization Management: Leadership & strategic planning ✅ SEE 25 Hosted by CrowdRiff: Visual storytelling & AI-driven marketing As this year’s program comes to a close, we’re proud to support the growth of Iowa’s tourism professionals. The scholarship program is now closed for FY25, but stay tuned for future opportunities to elevate Iowa’s tourism industry! 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g9AdF5ZQ