Here are the most important updates this week:
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FY27 Travel Iowa Marketing Co-op Options Announced
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Travel Iowa FY27 Co-op Program details were presented in a dedicated co-op program webinar yesterday to prepare partners for the official sign-up on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Three types of options, each with various partnership opportunities, were explained in detail during the webinar. Options and opportunities included the following.
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- Content Development
- TravelIowa.com Sponsored Content; Content Ads; Video Content Packages; and Influencer Packages
- Content Distribution
- Email Distribution; Social Media Packages; Across-the-Web Packages; Streaming Television Package; and Travel Iowa Leads
- Tourism Research
- AirDNA Co-op and Complimentary Tourism Research
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The Iowa Tourism Office will hold two Office Hours meetings during which staff and agency representatives will be available to answer questions. These meetings will be held Wednesday, May 13 at 9 a.m. and Thursday, May 28 at 2 p.m.
Links to Co-op Office Hours meetings are on the Co-op Marketing Program Page. These meetings are come-and-go will not be recorded.
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Iowa Tourism Industry is Celebrated in Business Record
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The Des Moines Business Record recently highlighted the continued momentum of the Iowa tourism industry, citing growth outlined in the 2024 Economic Impact Report and in record-breaking lodging demand shown in the latest statewide data.
The article, “Iowa Tourism Gains Momentum as Youth Sports, Outdoor Recreation Drive Growth,” featured insights from Amy Zeigler, State Tourism Manager, and Trina Flack, President and CEO of Catch Des Moines. The article underscores how national travel trends, particularly youth sports, outdoor recreation and large‑scale events, align well with Iowa’s existing tourism assets.
Building on this momentum and growing traveler interest in major events, the Iowa Tourism Office recently launched a new Major Events & Tourism Program grant to support destinations hosting significant tourism‑driving events.
For more information about the grant, contact Amy Zeigler at amy.zeigler@iowaeda.com or Lora Friest at lora.friest@iowaeda.com.
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April Iowa Tourism Update Webinar Recording is Now Available
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The April 23 Iowa Tourism Update Webinar is now available. It features presentations from three statewide partners who are implementing innovative initiatives in partnership with the Iowa Tourism Office. Executive Director of the Iowa Museum Association Teresa Stenstrup discussed a new statewide visitor readiness initiative. Choose Iowa Program Director Beth Romer provided details about ChooseIowa.com and President and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association Jessica Dunker demonstrated the Iowa Restaurant Association's new curated Experience Finder IowaFarmtoTable.org.
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New Inspirational Hub for World Cup Travelers Available on TravelIowa.com
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This week the Iowa Tourism Office launched a new Travel Iowa landing page that features Iowa trip ideas for FIFA World Cup visitors. It encourages day trips and overnight visits for FIFA World Cup attendees and families who want to experience a little more of the “real America." It also links to Travel Iowa passports and trip planning tools. Reach out to Stephanie Neppl (stephanie.neppl@iowaeda.com) to share what your community is doing to celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Left to right: Local business owners Keaton and Emily Mitchell, Burlington CVB Executive Director Chris Gram, Sizzle Media Owner Seth Howard
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Family Fun is Emphasized in Burlington's New Co-op Videos
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Tourism Liaison, Lora Friest was on hand as Burlington's CVB Executive Director Chris Gram provided technical assistance to Sizzle Media during Burlington's day-long video shoot.
Chris recruited the Mitchell family and other community business owners and leaders as volunteer story tellers and talent for multiple family destinations in and around Burlington. The local volunteers helped Chris maximize his FY26 Co-op video partnership with the Iowa Tourism Office as he showcased Big Hollow Recreation Area, Dankward Park, FunCity Resort and downtown Burlington.
Chris posted about this project on Visit Burlington's Facebook page. The FY27 Co-op Marketing options again includes video shoot options.
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Photo 1: Tourism Liaison, Stephanie Neppl with Kris Blocker, Executive Director at Visit Boone County. Photo 2: Victoria Helling, Executive Director at Boone County Chamber of Commerce, Stephanie Neppl and Holly Stecker, Director of Downtown Boone Main Street
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New Businesses and Outdoor Recreation are Featured in Boone County
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Tourism Liaison, Stephanie Neppl had a packed day in Boone as she and her community hosts met with new owners of the iconic Whistle Stop Café, saw the stunning new downtown coffee shop The Daily Boss, explored Seven Oaks Recreation and took a step back in time at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace. Thanks to all three partners for making sure the Iowa Tourism Office was up to date on what’s happening in Boone!
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Cameron McCoy with VP of Economic & Community Development Matt Parbs and the Board President of the Sawmill Museum Ari Lewerenz. Dambo Troll "Marvin" is relaxing under an oak tree in the background.
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Thomas Dambo Trolls Come to Iowa
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Tourism Liaison Lora Friest and Content and Media Strategist Cameron McCoy recently attended the unveiling of the three Thomas Dambo Trolls in Clinton. The giant public art pieces included "Marvin" at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, "Helmut" at the Sawmill Museum and "Warren" who was holed up in a secret location. A future trip is planned to meet Iowa's fourth Thomas Dambo Troll, "Fjord Ferryman," in Elk Horn.
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US Census Bureau Hosts Live Webinars
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The US Census Bureau hosts a series of live trainings and discussions about how bureau data can be mined to maximize opportunities in your community. Check out upcoming webinars, such as the May 28 webinar that will teach you how to unlock the power of maps on data.census.gov, or recorded webinars, like the April 29 webinar that explains how to use the American Community Survey data to strengthen grant proposals.
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Final Planning is Underway for 2026 IPW Trade Show
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Final planning is underway for the 2026 IPW trade show, which will be held in Fort Lauderdale May 18-21. IPW is the largest international trade show driving visitation to the United States. Team Iowa will focus on sharing Iowa’s stories and convey how easy it is to access Iowa from major gateway airports. The team will also continue to build awareness of Iowa's competitive edge in international markets and deepen key relationships with the industry.
Team Iowa includes Amy Zeigler, Cameron McCoy and Stephanie Neppl from the Iowa Tourism Office, Alyssa Ritter from Visit Decorah; Emily Kleitsch from Tourism Cedar Rapids; Gayla Failor of Kinseth Hospitality; Brock Konrad from Catch Des Moines; and Keeley Degel of Hotel Millwright.
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The Best Grant Projects Help Both You and Your Grantor Succeed
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Grantors are trying to accomplish something through the projects they fund. Try to understand the grantor's mission, goals, objectives and previously funded projects and strategies. How do the funder's goals align with what you want for your business or community?
Choose Iowa and USDA want to expand local food systems and add value to agricultural products and you know travelers are looking for Iowa grown products and farm to table experiences. So, what's next? Ask your restaurants and chefs what they need to expand use of local food? Then consider how local growers could expand their profit if they process raw product into something that is easier for restaurants and chefs to use?
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Choose Iowa Grants have a maximum award of $25,000. Help you expand access to Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, and Iowa-raised food, beverages, and other agricultural products.
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USDA Value-Added Producer Grant have a maximum award of $250,000. Although these closed in April of 2026, you need the lead time so start planning for 2027. This grant has brought millions of federal tax dollars back to Iowa producers to create a thriving value-added industry in Iowa. You can help keep the momentum going!
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Iowa Tourism Office
1963 Bell Avenue, Ste 200 | Des Moines, IA 50315 US
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1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200 | Des Moines, IA 50315 US
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