Industry Partners: Public/private partnership including 35 counties in the region, for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and government all working together. Support from all 35 counties, plus attractions, special events, natural resources, hotels, bed & breakfast, wineries, campgrounds, retail, and other visitor related businesses and services across the region.
Match: Annual contract with the Iowa Tourism Office/Iowa Economic Development Authority for over 30 years. Required to match a portion of our state funds and this match comes from county & private memberships and industry partnerships in region programs.
Structure: CITR is a 501C-6 nonprofit organization incorporated in 1987. Governed by a board of directors of directors elected from the membership. Programs determined by the board of directors and carried out by committees and facilitated by region staff.
Grants & Scholarships Services: 2020 Iowa Tourism Conference - Two scholarship awards to Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff - One scholarship award to Prairie Rivers of Iowa Staff 2021 – will award scholarships for 2021 conference the end of April.
Iowa Tourism Grants – CITR Administers Projects in our Region - 2021: Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau - $5,000 for Driving & Walking Tour Apps of ISU and Ames - 2021: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation & Development - $5,000 for Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway Informational Guide - 2020: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation & Development - $2,700 for Multi-Media Production Featuring Lincoln Highway Corridor Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries
Expertise/Programs: CITR is a proven public/private partnership with an over 30-year track record of successful programming. Two staff members including an executive director and administrative assistant. Programs include special projects determined by our board of directors/industry members, professional development & networking, career development and promotion.
CENTRAL IOWA TOURISM REGION & WESTERN IOWA TOURISM REGION Proven Programs, Innovation & Networking
The regions are a proven system that supports all industry segments and recognizes the varied needs across the state. Leadership on the region boards represent the diversity of our industry and include hotels, attractions, natural resources, services & education, county government, performing arts, and destination marketing organizations. The regional system provides an equal voice regardless of your budget or organizational size, plus ensures geographic diversity.
Your involvement in CITR or WITR supports relevant and innovative programs that directly benefit your business or organization. Regional training sessions are held close to home with opportunities to network and cultivate partnerships with others from your area. The regions are a proven public/private partnership with an over 30-year track record of successful programming including:
SPECIAL PROJECTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & NETWORKING
• Guide Training & Certification Program - 150 plus attendees trained statewide with over 50 industry members achieving • Regional Workshops – industry training through professional guide certification in-person & virtual sessions • Training & Consultations with Roger Brooks – internationally • Leadership training & development known travel & tourism expert • Committee opportunities – provide your • Iowa Tourism Leadership Institute - 69 first year graduates & expertise with region programs & projects, along 34 second year graduates, added third year and alumni tracks with statewide committees • Hospitality/Customer Service Training – over 2,000 industry • Networking – share ideas, develop partnerships members trained and learn from your industry peers • Ask the Expert - consultations for marketing & branding, • Technical Assistance – available from your region human resource, working with boards, grant writing & office succession planning • Design on Our Dime – consultations with professional copy writer & graphic designer PROMOTION • Culinary Tourism Consultations – training sessions and business consultations with attractions and restaurants • Central Iowa Travel Guide – annual publication showcasing the region • Itinerary Development – Freedom Rock brochure, website itineraries, etc. • Iowa State Fair Booth – promote your area by CAREER DEVELOPMENT & MENTORING volunteering to staff booth • Clay County Fair Booth – promote your area by volunteering to staff booth • Career Fair - sharing your internships & job • Travel Iowa Marketplace – group travel focused postings with over 100 university students tradeshow • Mentoring - student volunteer opportunities at industry events