Here are the most important updates this week:
|
- Travel Iowa is ESTO award finalist!
- 2027 Travel Guide kicks-off with a call for "What's new in 2027".
- Registration for September Tourism Insider Meeting is open.
- Travel Iowa Co-op Marketing remnants are available.
- July webinar featured outdoor rec marketing partnership opportunities.
|
Travel Iowa Named an ESTO Award Finalist!
|
2027 Iowa Travel Guide Kicks Off with New Vendor
|
After an RFP process earlier this spring, People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith) was selected and contracted by the Iowa Tourism Office to manage the development of the 2027 Iowa Travel Guide. The team at People Inc. has a wealth of experience producing state travel guides, as well their own travel publications. With many team members located in Iowa, they are excited to be working to increase tourism to their home state.
Advertising information will be available in late August; watch for a webinar and more information soon. The next guide is expected to be available at the 2027 Iowa Tourism Conference (March 11-12, 2027).
|
To help us kick off the Iowa Travel Guide and other public relations projects, we need your help! What is your destination working on in 2027? Let us know and you might show up for free in the 2027 Iowa Travel Guide or in a feature article on TravelIowa.com!
New openings, major milestones and exciting developments continue to shape the travel experience across Iowa. Now is the time to share newsworthy updates including hotels, attractions, transportation enhancements, entertainment offerings, infrastructure improvements and unique experiences launching in 2027. Travel Iowa will use this information in upcoming media and content projects.
See how we used information like this in the 2026 Travel Guide What's New in 2026 story or check out the TravelIowa.com New to Do in 2026 feature story for inspiration.
We can't promote what we don't know about. Email your information to Cameron McCoy at cameron.mccoy@iowaeda.com.
|
Next Tourism Insider Meeting in Buchanan County Will Feature Downtown Revitalization and Private Tour of Cedar Rock State Park
|
Buchanan County Tourism is hosting the next Tourism Insider Meeting on September 1. The draft agenda can be found on the Industry Partners website. The day starts in Independence and includes a panel on downtown revitalization, but attendees will also be treated to a private tour of Cedar Rock State Park in Quasqueton.
Register to save your space. Hotel rooms are available at Comfort Inn & Suites Independence at a rate of $121 + tax. To book, please call the hotel on 319.334.6400 and ask for the Tourism Insider Meeting rate. The room block is available until August 18, 2026.
|
Travel Iowa Co-op Marketing Remnants are Available!
|
After a whirlwind sign-up, the dust has settled and there are a limited number of Travel Iowa Co-op Marketing options still available. If you are interested learning more specifics or signing up, email Cameron.McCoy@IowaEDA.com.
Limited months and options are available for the following tactics (subject to change):
|
- Travel Iowa Content Ads (pop-ups)
- Video Packages
- Email Banner Ads
- Email Tile Ads
- Email Spotlight Ads
- Social Media Organic Posts
|
|
|
July Webinar Featured Outdoor Rec Partnership Opportunities
|
The July 23 Tourism Office Update Webinar recording is available on the Industry Partners Page. Watch to find out which counties the Iowa's County Conservation System secured photo and video assets for last year and which they will secure this year!
If you want to see this happen in your county be sure to engage with your local county conservation. If you are a tourism partner in one of the participating counties, the photos and videos are available at no cost by contacting ICCS CEO Adam Shirley at iaccb@mycountyparks.org.
|
People are checking off their Iowa summer bucket lists right now, and here's a question for businesses: Are you giving people a reason to add you to that list?
Instead of posting another product photo or sales graphic, create content that answers: Why is a visit to your business worth spending one of the last summer weekends on? The brands winning on social aren't just selling products. They're selling experiences, memories, and moments people don't want to miss before summer is over.
And speaking of bucket lists, let's talk about Iowa's current social media obsession... Travel Iowa's bucket list includes getting Post Malone to the Iowa State Fair.
We leaned all the way into the trend, jokingly inviting him to visit after Iowans spent the week Photoshopping him into local businesses across the state. That's a great reminder that sometimes the best content isn't something you create from scratch. It's joining a conversation your audience is already having.
|
Authenticity Shines When Creators Are Collaborators
|
Travelers are more interested in authentic experiences and recommendation than paid endorsements, so how do we pay for authentic content and real recommendations that show our partners and our destinations at their best? Here are some tips.
|
-
Before giving up control of your brand, make sure you choose the right creator.
- Research creators to find one who feels authentic, will enjoy what you have and has a track record of presenting similar content in a positive, authentic manner.
- Make sure the creator you select understands your goals.
- Plan content together to ensure authenticity and build audience trust.
-
Let creators develop content that resonates with their audiences; don't over script!
- Strategically create layered storytelling rather than siloed moments to maximize ROI.
|
Iowa Tourism Office Hosting FAM Tour in August
|
The Iowa Tourism Office, through its work with Cellet Marketing and Public Relations Ltd, is hosting a joint media/trade FAM tour in August. Representatives from media outlets The Scottish Sun and The Travel Magazine plus tour operator Discover North America will join Cellet’s Managing Director and Head of PR for a week of iconic Iowa experiences.
This FAM is part of the Iowa Tourism Office’s international marketing strategy to build awareness and bookable products in the valuable UK and Irish markets, with the goal of growing Iowa’s international visitor arrivals.
Thank you to partners in Mason City, Boone, Des Moines, Winterset, Pella, Amana Colonies, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Dyersville and Decorah for your help in welcoming these visitors!
|
Kiley Zankowski, Executive Director at Vacation Okoboji; Stephanie Neppl, Iowa Tourism Office; and Lee Sorenson, Executive Director of the Dickinson County Conservation Board
|
Sherwood Forest in Iowa? You bet!
|
Stephanie Neppl, Tourism Liaison, attended the grand opening of Sherwood Forest Park in Okoboji. The Dickinson County Conservation Board received a Destination Iowa grant to help fund the new outdoor recreation area, which was developed on the site of the former Inn Golf Course. Sherwood Forest Park includes a 3-level bike pump track, native landscaping, an off-road mountain bike trail, and walking trails.
|
Elevate Your Outstanding Hotel and Culinary Talent!
|
There are only a couple days left! The Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association is accepting nominations until July 31, 2026 for Hotelier of the Year, General Manager of the Year, Employee of the Year, Champion of the Year, Philanthropist of the Year, and Innovator of the Year. Award recipients will be recognized during the 2026 IHLA Industry Awards Ceremony on November 10 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Johnston.
The Iowa Restaurant Association is searching for Iowa’s standout culinary talent to compete in the 2026 Culinary Competition! The sign-up form is still open but only a few spots remain. Chefs from across the state are invited to step into the spotlight. If you are, or know of, an exceptional executive chef, sous chef, caterer, or rising culinary talent, this is your chance to showcase creativity, elevate brand, and put a restaurant and team from your community on display. Learn more and sign up.
|
|
|
|
Help Businesses Thrive Through Marketing
|
Many small and large businesses struggle because they don't put time, energy or funding into marketing. Some think they don't have time for marketing or that it is someone else's job to get people through their door or sell their product. Even though it could help them thrive, many have never completed a market analysis, have no marketing plan, have never considered market diversification or market expansion. As a result, many economic development and tourism organizations advise and assist with various types of marketing campaigns, but even they have limited funds. Fortunately, there are grants available to help.
|
-
The Iowa Tourism Marketing Grant will be opening mid to late August and due September 30. It is specifically designed to help private and public partners execute marketing campaigns and initiatives that benefit both the state and local economies. The Iowa Tourism Office provides online resources, including the scoring Rubric used by peer reviewers. Tourism Liaisons are also available to answer questions. Email Lora.Friest@Iowaeda.com for more information.
-
The purpose of USDA's Rural Business Development Grant program is to promote economic development and job creation projects. Many economic development and tourism organizations have used this grant to secure funds so they can provide technical assistance, including marketing and market development assistance, to their local businesses, downtowns or destinations. Applications compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants. Pro Tip: The Iowa Tourism Marketing Grant can be used as match for this federal grant if the timing falls right.
-
The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Global Business Team has two grant programs that support export efforts of eligible small businesses in Iowa. Their International Marketing Assistance Grant (MTAP) helps Iowa businesses obtain marketing media services to promote their products and services through brochures, social media or website campaigns, magazines, branding, and advertising to a targeted market(s). Their Trade Show Grant (ETAP/DTAP) helps Iowa businesses exhibit at significant international trade shows, which may include U.S. based shows with a global attendance and exhibitor community. Eligible expenses for both grants are reimbursed at 75% up to $8,000. Read the International Assistance Fact Sheet for more information or find more resources their website.
-
Many people know that the USDA Value-Added Producer Grants program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that generate new products from raw agricultural commodities and can help pay for capital needs, but did you know it can also be used to create and expand marketing opportunities, pay for feasibility studies, business and marketing plans? As you work with Farm to Table businesses and others consider this grant.
|
|
|
|
|
Iowa Tourism Office
1963 Bell Avenue, Ste 200 | Des Moines, IA 50315 US
|
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200 | Des Moines, IA 50315 US
|
|
|
|
This email was sent to james.lee@iowaeda.com.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
