WESTERN IOWA TOURISM REGION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 ROGER BROOKS WITR Liaisons to the Travel 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 NEWS 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 PROJECTS 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 • 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 helped chart the future of our • Travel Federation of Iowa contracted with lobbyists in partnership with the three communities for generations. tourism regions. 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 Inn, 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 Convention 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 Resort, Arnolds Park LeRoy Dammann, Heritage Hausbarn Outstanding New Event (Rural) World Æbleskiver Major League Kiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic Eating Contest, Elk Horn SCHOLARSHIPS Development & Tourism Outstanding Promotional Material (Rural) Manning Hausbarn Cassie McNees, Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Lynsi Pasutti, Midwest Partnership TOURISM AWARDS Heritage Park, Manning Julie Hering-Kent, Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Website (Metro) 2017 Council Blu s Convention & Visitors Bureau People’s Choice Award Okoboji Store in Okoboji 2017 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 CONVENTION CENTER 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 Road Trip (A.R.T.), NW Iowa Lake Park, City of • Capitalize on opportunities oered 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,