WESTERN IOWA ANNUAL REPORT

2018 ROGER BROOKS WITR Liaisons to the Federation of Iowa were Lisa Riggs, Kathy Dirks, Andy Milam, Rebecca Peters and Shirley Phillips. DESTINATION • The newly designed Legislative Showcase & Luncheon, held annually in Des DEVELOPMENT Moines, brought together industry representatives with elected Iowa o cials to SUMMIT deliver information on the many issues facing the tourism industry. • Andy Milam served as President this year, Shirley Phillips as Secretary, Lisa Riggs, Roger Brooks, one of the world’s Kathy Dirks and Rebecca Peters were instrumental in organizing a successful most sought after speakers on the showcase in January. subjects of tourism, community • We continued to coordinate a statewide initiative called District Leaders branding, downtown development, enabling members to become more actively involved in the legislative system. A and destination marketing statewide industry legislative survey was conducted to recognize tourism related presented a powerful day and half issues and established priorities and supported all these legislative issues, as well as outside organizations’ issues. summit on April 25 & 26, 2018 in LEGISLATIVE NEWS • Helped to coordinate information for priority sheets to educate the industry to Manning. This day and half summit the related issues for the legislative session. SPECIAL PROJECTS helped chart the future of our • Travel Federation of Iowa contracted with lobbyists in partnership with the three communities for generations. tourism . They provided electronic Capitol Reports to the membership. We have to recognize that jobs are • Attended all Travel Federation of Iowa Board meetings and assisted in the now going where the talent is or planning process for the organization. wants to be. For the  rst time in U.S. history, quality of life is leading economic development. That means “community development” should be the priority and by becoming a desirable place to live then economic & tourism development will follow. Not only did Roger present for a day and a half but his team evaluated marketing materials for all those in attendance, o ering 2017 Grant Reviewers Tami Moeller, City of Lake View constructive criticism and guidance Rachel Brotherton, Carrollton , Carroll on improving members’ various Lynsi Pasutti, Midwest Partnership, Stuart marketing materials. Lana White, Mills County Tourism, Glenwood Iowa Travel Guide Taskforce Lisa Riggs, Danish Windmill, Elk Horn Rebecca Peters, Okoboji Tourism

VOLUNTEERS 2017 Iowa Tourism Conference Committee Kathy Dirks, Harrison County Historical Village & Welcome Center Erika Newton, Sioux City Center Andy Milam, Shrine of the Grotto of Redemption, West Bend Shirley Phillips, Western Iowa Tourism Region Iowa Tourism Awards Selection Committee Kiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic Development Jill Heisterkamp, Calhoun County Economic Development FY18 Cooperative Advertising Committee Mark Eckman, Council Blu s CVB Iowa Group Travel Association COMMITTEES & Michaela Brown, Brown’s Theater, Le Mars Shari Greenwood, Glenn Miller Birthplace Society, Clarinda Travel Federation of Iowa Andy Milam, Shrine of the Grotto of Redemption Lisa Riggs, Danish Windmill Kathy Dirks, Harrison Co. Historical Village & Welcome Center Rebecca Peters, Okoboji Tourism Shirley Phillips, Western Iowa Tourism Region Iowa DOT TODS Committee Shirley Phillips, Western Iowa Tourism Region

WESTERN IOWA TOURISM REGION Outstanding Attraction (Rural) Jill Heisterkamp, Calhoun County Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park, Manning Economic Development Outstanding Community (Metro) Council Blu s Blair Weigum, Chamber & Development Outstanding Event (Metro) Loessfest, Council Blu s Council of Crawford County Outstanding Event (Rural) Tri City BBQ Fest, Denison Sherri Greenwood, Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Outstanding Individual Leader (Rural) Bill Hillman, Shenandoah Lisa Riggs, Danish Windmill Outstanding Lodging Property (Rural) Freda Dammann, Manning Community Foundation Bridges Bay , Arnolds Park LeRoy Dammann, Heritage Hausbarn Outstanding New Event (Rural) World Æbleskiver Major League Kiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic Eating Contest, Elk Horn Development & Tourism Outstanding Promotional Material (Rural) Manning Hausbarn Cassie McNees, Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Heritage Park, Manning Lynsi Pasutti, Midwest Partnership Julie Hering-Kent, Cherokee Chamber of Commerce

Outstanding Website (Metro) 2017 SCHOLARSHIPS Council Blu s Convention & Visitors Bureau People’s Choice Award Okoboji Store in Okoboji 2017 TOURISM AWARDS

MOVING BILLBOARDS

WESTERN iowa

connect to fun!

This year there will be moving billboards traveling across Look for the following Western Iowa members on truck Inn & Suites, Donna Reed Theater, Shrine of the Grotto of Iowa with messages from Western Iowa attractions. This is wraps as the Alcohol Beverage Division completes their Redemption, Danish Windmill, Albert the Bull, Manning the rst truck wrap cooperative e ort where the Region has deliveries: Spencer Chamber of Commerce; Sac Economic & Hausbarn Heritage Park, Whiterock Conservancy, LaunchPAD participated and we look forward to great results and more Tourism Development; Loess Hills National Scenic Byway; Children’s Museum, and Iowa Great Lakes. opportunities in the future. Other attractions purchased their Pocahontas County Economic Development Corporation; own wraps. Adams Community Economic Development; and Boulders

JUNE 7, 2017 SIOUX CITY The Western Iowa Tourism Region has strong working Annual Meeting: “Networking for People who Hate Networking,” and funding relationships in Western Iowa and with Diane Amundson the State Tourism O ce, Iowa Economic Development JULY 26, 2017 NODAWAY VALLEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, Authority. Clarinda “Engage with Iowa Tourism – LuAnn Reinders; “Staying • 180 members representing the tourism industry. up to Date” – Amy Zeigler • Financial support and representation from 36 SEPT. 20, 2017 MANNING HAUSBARN HERITAGE PARK counties in Western Iowa. CONFERENCE CENTER “Do you wish your board or organization was more?” Tammy Rogers, the Meyvn Group • State Tourism O ce funding and technical support. In addition, WITR is represented on the Travel Federation

FEB. 21, 2018 BOULDERS CONFERENCE CENTER, DENISON PARTNERSHIPS State Staff Town Hall Meeting of Iowa Board, the Iowa Group Travel Board, the Iowa Destination Marketing Alliance, the Western Iowa APR. 26, 2018 MANNING HAUSBARN HERITAGE PARK Byways Association, the Loess Hills National Scenic CONFERENCE CENTER Meeting following the Roger Brooks Destination Development Summit Byways Economic Development Committee and the

EDUCATION SESSIONS EDUCATION Iowa Department of Transportation. We also partner JUNE 13, 2018 ORPHEUM THEATER, SIOUX CITY: ANNUAL with the Central Iowa Tourism Region and Eastern Iowa MEETING “Chaos & Change Management; Are you Surviving? Or Thriving?” Kit Welchlin Tourism Association. 17-18

ANNUAL REPORT • 2018 OUR MEMBERS BE A MEMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER VISIT US JOIN A PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION AT WWW.IOWATOURISMIOWA.COM OR CALL 888-623-4232. Adams Community Economic Development Corp. Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce • Network with your peers involved in tourism product Albert City Threshermen & Collector Association Iowan Magazine, Heuss Printing development and promotion. Algona Area Chamber of Commerce Iowa Rock‘n Roll Music Museum, Arnold’s Park • Create valuable partnerships. AmericInn of Okoboji Johnny Carson Birthplace, Corning • Package and cross sell with other Region members. Arrowwood Resort & Conf. Center, Okoboji King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort, Storm Lake • Showcase your attraction/business on ARISE- Atlantic Rock Society Enterprise Lake City Betterment Association www.visitwesterniowa.com. Artisans (A.R.T.), NW Iowa Lake Park, City of • Capitalize on opportunities o ered by both the region and Associations Inc. Lake View, City of & Community Club the Iowa Tourism Oce. Atlantic Chamber of Commerce LaunchPAD Children’s Museum, Sioux City Audubon Chamber of Commerce Le Mars Convention & Visitors Bureau • Increase visitor numbers and target new customers. Audubon Co. Historical Society Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City • Learn from the pros at Region membership meetings and Audubon County Tourism Loess Hills Alliance Economic Development workshops. Baxter Cycles, Marne Loess Hills Historical Society of Monona Co. • Have the opportunity to hear speakers from around the Boulders Conference Center, Denison Loess Hills Hospitality Association, Moorhead United States. Boulders Inn & Suites, Atlantic Loess Hills National Scenic Byway Council • Exercise your leadership skills by serving on committees Boulders Inn & Suites, Majestic Hills, Denison Lyon County Economic Development and the board. Boulders Inn & Suites, Holstein M. Catton & Company, Le Mars • Learn about new trends and grant opportunities including Boulders Inn & Suites, Lake View Macedonia Hamilton Development Corporation funding to develop products. Boulders Inn & Suite, Manning Macedonia Historical Preservation Society • Receive Legislative Updates throughout the Legislative Manning Chamber of Commerce Boulders Inn & Suites, Okoboji Session. Breda, City of Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden Midwest Partnership Economic Dev. Corp. • Master advocacy skills to get the most nancial assistance Bridges Bay Resort, Arnolds Park Mills County Tourism from foundations, organizations, and state and local Buy Fresh Buy Local Siouxland Inc. Missouri Valley Chamber of Commerce governments. Caesars Entertainment, Council Bluffs Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn Calhoun County Economic Development MyCountyParks.com Camp Algona P.O.W. Museum Newell Historical Society/Allee Mansion Carroll Chamber of Commerce Nodaway Valley Historical Society, Clarinda Carroll County Conservation Northwest Iowa Development, Sheldon Carrollton Inn & Event Center, Carroll O’Brien County Conservation BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cass County Tourism O’Brien County Economic Dev. & Tourism Chamber & Dev. Council of Crawford County Okoboji Classic Cars PRESIDENT DIRECTORS Chamber Main Street Sac City Okoboji Summer Theatre Erika Newton Jessica Brownmiller Cherokee Area Economic & Dev. Corp. Okoboji Tourism Committee Tyson Events Center Le Mars Convention & Cherokee County Chamber & Rodeo Onawa Chamber of Commerce Orpheum Theater Visitors Bureau Cherokee County Tourism Council Orange City Tulip Festival Spectra Venue Management Julie Hering-Kent Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Our Iowa Magazine VICE PRESIDENT Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Clarinda Super 8 Palo Alto County Conservation Foundation Freda Dammann Kenner Baxter Clay County Fair Association, Spencer Performing Arts & Education Assn. of SW IA, Red Oak Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park Cass County Tourism Clay County Regional Events Center, Spencer Pottawattamie County Conservation FINANCE OFFICER & Baxter Cycles Coon Rapids Development Group Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Treynor Andy Milam Merideth Maranville Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau Red Coach Inn & , Red Oak Shrine of the Grotto Conerstone Bank & Crawford County Conservation Board Red Oak Chamber of Commerce of Redemption Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Creston/Union County Tourism Rock Rapids Chamber of Commerce PAST PRESIDENT Josee Beier Dammann, Leroy and Freda, Manning Sac County Conservation Kathy Dirks Helmsbriscoe Danish Villages Economic Dev., Elk Horn Sac County Economic & Tourism Dev. Harrison County Historical Village Cora Lahr Danish Windmill Corporation, Elk Horn Sapp Bros Travel Center, Percival & Welcome Center Dickinson County Conservation Sgt. Floyd Riverboat Museum & Hart Family Donna Reed Foundation, Denison Welcome Center, Sioux City EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Emmetsburg Chamber/Welcome Center Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry Shirley Phillips [email protected] Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce Shelby County Historical Society/Museum, Harlan Farmall-Land USA Museum, Avoca Sheldon Chamber & Development Corporation ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Fort Dodge Convention & Visitors Bureau Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend Jane Berger [email protected] Fremont County Historical Society Sidney Rodeo Association French Icarian Colony Foundation, Corning Sioux City Art Center Friends of Downtown (Harlan Main Street) Sioux City Convention & Visitors Bureau 615 West Main Street | Sac City, IA 50583 Glenn Miller Birthplace Society, Clarinda Southern Iowa Tourism 712-662-7383 | 888-623-4232 | visitwesterniowa.com Golden Hills RC & D, Oakland Spencer Chamber of Commerce Grand Falls Casino Resort, Larchwood Stanton Historical Society Contributing Counties Greenfield Chamber/ Main Street Tourism Star Destinations Guthrie County Historical Village Stoney Creek & Conference Center, Sioux City Adair Fremont Page Guthrie County Tourism Storm Lake United Hamburg, City of Trinity Heights/ Queen of Peace, Sioux City Adams Guthrie Palo Alto Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sioux City Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs Audubon Harrison Plymouth Harlan Newspapers Van Wyngarden, Diane Buena Vista Humboldt Pocahontas Harrison County Development Corp. Villisca, City of Calhoun Ida Pottawattamie Harrison Co. Historical Village & Welcome Center Walnut Merchants Association Hart Family Hotels WATTA WAY to see Pottawattamie County Carroll Kossuth Ringgold Hawarden Chamber & Economic Dev. Web Graphics, Milford Cass Lyon Sac Higgins Museum, Okoboji White Pole Road, Menlo Cherokee Mills Shelby Historic Arnolds Park, Okoboji Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapids Clay Monona Sioux Hitchcock House, Lewis Wilson, Gaela Consulting Crawford Montgomery Taylor Inn @ Ameristar WinnaVegas, Sloan Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Council Bluffs Wisecup Farm Museum, Missouri Valley Dickinson O’Brien Union Hotel Greenfield Woodbine Main Street Chamber Emmet Osceola Woodbury Humboldt-Dakota City Chamber of Commerce Woodbury County Conservation Board Iowa Golf Council