Here are the most important updates this week:
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Make Iowa Impossible to Scroll Past; Be Our Next Social Media Manager
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Do you know how to turn social media strategy into scroll-stopping content and content into ROI? Are you tapped into the world of content creators and influencers, with a pulse on what moves audiences and drives engagement?
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) are seeking a high-performing Social Media Manager who thrives at the intersection of creativity, innovation and strategy. Applications are due 4/26/2026 by 11:59 p.m.
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Help Tell Iowa's Story; Seeking a Marketing Manager
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From small towns to signature attractions, Iowa has a story worth telling. The Marketing Manager helps bring that story to life through dynamic tourism marketing initiatives that support IEDA's mission to make Iowa the choice for people and business.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is seeking a hands-on Marketing Manager to manage marketing programs, foster partner relationships, create engaging content and lead media outreach. Applications are due 5/3/2026 by 11:59 p.m.
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March AirDNA and STR Reports are Now Available
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If you want to feel good about all the work you are doing, take a look at the March STR and AirDNA reports and then brag to your local hotel motel committee. February and March numbers both broke the following records. To get these reports emailed directly to you as soon as they’re available each month, contact Matthew Kodis (matthew.kodis@iowaeda.com) to be on the distribution list.
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- Best occupancy since we began tracking statewide data in 2022
- Best urban occupancy since 2019
- Best rural occupancy since we began tracking that in 2022
- Highest rural and statewide ADRs and RevPARs since we began tracking in 2022
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Statewide Partners will Provide Updates at the Webinar Tomorrow
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Tomorrow's Iowa Tourism Office Webinar will feature presentations from the Iowa Museum Association, Choose Iowa and the Iowa Restaurant Association. The Iowa Tourism Office is partnering with each to maximize tourism readiness and increase travel expenditures in communities across Iowa. Tune in to find out how you can participate to benefit your business or organization.
The Iowa Tourism Office 2027 Co-op Marketing Program timeline will be shared.
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Spend the Day on the Shores of Storm Lake at the Tourism Insider Meeting
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Apple Bacon Waffles from Applishus at the Iowa State Fair
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Elevate Your Destination at the Travel Iowa Booth and Enjoy the State Fair!
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Do you want to get your destination noticed? Are you craving your favorite fair food? Sign up is open for Iowa tourism professionals who want to staff the Travel Iowa booth at the Iowa State Fair August 13 to August 23. The Travel Iowa booth makes it easy to showcase your destination and attractions to visitors from around the world. There is no cost to participate, you get free tickets to the fair, free parking and you don't have to set up a booth!
Just bring your best smile and the enthusiasm you have for your part of Iowa.
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One free fair ticket per volunteer (max of two volunteers per organization per shift).
- One parking pass per organization.
- The Iowa Tourism Office will collect your brochures in advance, transport them to the booth and restock them throughout the fair.
- You may display a 30 second video (no sound) on the booth display screen.
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There are two shifts available daily during the fair, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Two organizations per shift will be selected with each organization providing two volunteers. The deadline to sign up is May 1. Contact Jim Lee with questions. Sign up for a shift using Jotform.
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The Iowa Quilt Museum Celebrates America 250 with Unique Exhibit
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The Iowa Quilt Museum recently unveiled a new exhibit in honor of America 250 and Veterans. The exhibit brings together three significant collections to tell one powerful story. The first is a set of six Quilts of Valor. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, which has over 10,000 members in all 50 states, is to "Cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." The six quilts on display will be removed and awarded to deserving recipients on July 4th.
The Quilts of Valor are surrounded by the entire collection of Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge quilts, many of which have a military or veteran theme. This collection is normally broken up into three exhibits for display in multiple locations. It is extremely rare to be able to view all 225 at one time. The Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Exhibit will be taken down July 5th before heading to England.
A third part of the exhibit was created by The Studio 4830 Quilters, twenty quilters who worked together to create 10 panels with five states each, in the order of when the states joined the union. The 10 panels will be on display through June 1st.
Find more about this and other America 250 events on Iowa's America 250 website.
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The George Maier Rural Heritage Center Leaps into Creative Exhibits
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Tourism Liaison, Lora Friest stopped in the George Maier Rural Heritage Center and got a firsthand look at how their extensive historic collections are being transformed into creative exhibits that provide opportunities for fun learning and engagement. From miniature train sets to full-sized antique tractors, the museum's board members are working diligently to change the visitor focus from "don't touch" to "experience more".
Tourism readiness is the focus of a state-wide collaboration between the Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Museum Association. Learn more from IMA Director Teresa Stenstrup during the Iowa Tourism Office webinar tomorrow!
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Iowa Tourism Office Wants to Elevate Your Events!
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The Iowa Tourism Office has several FREE marketing opportunities available for communities and businesses, but we can't do it without you. Check out upcoming event promotions below. If you don't know how to submit an event listing, learn how at Industrypartners.traveliowa.com. Pro tip: add photos!
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Grants Can Help Save Historic Sites, Museums and Collections
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Preserving Black Churches grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation range from $50,000 to $500,000. They help preserve historic houses of worship (those with active congregations or that are being repurposed for new uses within the community) and advance preservation activities including capital projects, programming and interpretation, capacity building, project planning, and endowment and financial sustainability. Applications opened in August last year. Read current guidelines and then sign up for their newsletter to make sure you know when the 2026 grant is announced.
Historic Resource Development Program (HRDP) Grants are due May 1. The program provides grant funding to help preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance, and educate the public about Iowa’s historical assets. The HRDP provides funding for documentary collections, historic preservation and museums. Find out more at Historical Resource Development Program | State Historical Society of Iowa.
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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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