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ANNUAL REPORTWESTERN IOWA TOURISM REGION

615 West Main Street | Sac City, IA 50583712-662-7383 | 888-623-4232 | visitwesterniowa.com

BOARD of DIRECTORSpresident Erika NewtonTyson Events Center | Gateway ArenaOrpheum Theater | Sioux City Convention Center

vice president Evan BlakleyChamber & Development Council of Crawford County

finance officer Freda DammannManning Hausbarn/Heritage Park

past president Kathy DirksHarrison County Historical Village & Welcome Center

directors Jessica Brownmiller Le Mars Convention & Visitors Bureau

Julie Hering-KentCherokee Chamber of Commerce

Pat Hume Southern Loess Hills Welcome Center Sarah GomezMidwest Partnerships Cora LahrHart Family Hotels

Andy MilamShrine of the Grotto of Redemption

StaffExecutive Director: Shirley Phillipsshirley@visitwesterniowa.com Administrative Assistant: Jane Berger jane@visitwesterniowa.com

Western Iowa Tourism Region

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partnerships The Western Iowa Tourism Region has strong working and funding relationships in Western Iowa and with the State Tourism Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority.

n180 members representing the tourism industry.nFinancial support and representation from 36 counties

in Western Iowa.nState Tourism Office funding and technical support.

In addition, WITR is represented on the Travel Federation of Iowa Board, the Iowa Group Travel Board, the Iowa Destination Marketing Alliance, the Western Iowa Byways Association, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byways Economic Development Committee and the Iowa Department of Transportation. We also partner with the Central Iowa Tourism Region and Eastern Iowa Tourism Association.

Annual Meeting; “The Mentally Strong Leader” Brenda Clark Hamilton

“Unleashing the Potential Draw of Main StreetRestaurants and Taverns,” Stacy Kluesner, Iowa RestaurantAssociation and “Thinking about including alcohol in your next event?” Jason Hohn, Iowa Alcohol Beverage Division

“The County Conservation Impact on Iowa Tourism”Tom Hazelton and Advocacy Training, Craig Patterson

“Active Shooter Training,” Pottawattamie Co. Sheriff Lt. Sam Arkfeld, Cyber Security, FBI Agent Scott Haugaard and “Responding to the Media during a Crisis,” Kent Grisham

State Staff Town Hall Meeting

Annual Meeting: “Networking for People who Hate Networking,” Diane Amundson

2016-2017 EDUCATION SESSIONS:

JULY 22DESOTO BEND

MISSOURI VALLEY

JULY 27KINGS POINTE

STORM LAKE

SEPT. 21Kossuth Co.

Agricultural &Motorsports

Museum, Algona

NOV. 16Oakland

Community Center

FEB. 15, 2017Carrollton

Centre, Carroll

JUNE 7, 2017Sious City

Convention Center

To connect, develop and promote tourism in Western IowaOUR OUR OUR OUR OUR MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:

special projectsPower of Travel Day - April 21, 2017

nA joint partnership between the three tourism regions and the Iowa Tourism Office with over 140 attendees at Prairie Meadows Casino & Hotel in Altoona.

nOne day education and networking opportunity to kick off the summer travel season and energize the industry.

nTwo great speakers provided us with breakout sessions and a keynote: Shawna Suckow with “Staying Relevant in the Digital Age” including two sessions on “14 Sales Hacks to Boost Productivity & Profit” and “Don’t become Extinct - Join the Sales Evolution.” Dean Savoca presented “Slumps to Success” and facilitated a round table of a community of experts.

nBonus for the day was the Travel Family Feud game.

Customer ServiceHospitality Sessions

nThe region (along with the Central & Eastern regions) contracted with the Iowa State Extension Outreach staff to provide Hospitality Trainings in eleven different locations throughout the region.

nHost communities were responsible for securing locations, providing food and registration and promoting locally, while the region promoted all the sessions to the members. Numbers of attendees ranged from 15 to well over 60 in the following locations: Harrison County, Manning, Le Mars, Okoboji, Sioux City, Sac City, Red Oak, Stuart, Clarinda, Elk Horn and Storm Lake.

nTourist attractions, event coordinators, retail & service businesses, lodging, wineries, chambers of commerce, city and county officials, economic development officials, financial institutions, as well as front line employees received the two hour trainings.

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PHOTOGRAPHY , I T INERAR I ES , & PROV ID ING TECHN ICAL ASS I S TANCE Rounding out our special projects was hiring a professional photographer and contracting with a firm to build itineraries for our website and to share with the state as well. Making site visits to communities and attractions, assisting with signing and connecting them to sources of information. We provide the communities with a “first-time visitor” point of view. Providing informative education sessions so our members learn the economic impact of tourism in their areas, as well as the state. There are many components involved in a community and pulling them all together is important. Recognizing that tourism is a vital part of Iowa’s economic development strategy is imperative. Training the incoming leadership in our counties is also important. Once again spreading the word about the importance of tourism and quality of life helps to make our work force sustainable.

Judges for the 2016 Iowa Tourism Awards Kiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic Development & Tourism

Iowa Tourism Grant CommitteeJulie Hering-Kent, Cherokee Chamber of Commerce

Iowa Tourism Grant ReviewersAnnette Deakins, Missouri Valley Chamber of CommerceLynsi Pasutti, Midwest Partnership

TFI Board MembersLisa Riggs, Danish Windmill CorporationKathy Dirks, Harrison Co. Historical Village & Welcome Center Andy Milam, Shrine of the Grotto of RedemptionRebecca Peters, Okoboji Tourism Shirley Phillips, Western Iowa Tourism Region

TFI Sector Plan Mark Eckman, Travel Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors BureauAndy Milam, Shrine of the Grotto of RedemptionShirley Philips, Western Iowa Tourism Region

Iowa Group Travel Association Meridith Maranville, Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Linda Underwood, Council Bluffs Holiday Inn ExpressAndy Milam, Shrine of the Grotto of Redemption

Membership TaskforcePatsy Hume, Southern Loess Hills Welcome Center

Website TaskforceErika Newton, Sioux City Convention CenterEvan Blakley, Chamber & Development Council of CrawfordJessica Brownmiller, Le Mars Convention & Visitors Bureau

2017 Iowa Tourism Conference CommitteeKathy Dirks, Harrison County Historical Village & Welcome CenterAndy Milam, Shrine of the Grotto of RedemptionErika Newton, Sioux City Brent Stockton, Sioux City Convention Center Shirley Phillips, Western Iowa Tourism Region

Iowa DOT TODS Committee Shirley Phillips, Western Iowa Tourism Region

Nominations Committee:Julie Hering-Kent, Cherokee Chamber of CommerceElaine Farwell, Clarinda Chamber of CommerceJosee Beier, Council Bluffs CVBKiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic DevelopmentLaurie Westergaard, City of Lake View

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Committees & Taskforces 2016-2017

nThe Legislative Showcase & Luncheon, held annually in Des Moines, brought together industry representatives with elected Iowa officials to deliver information on the many issues facing the tourism industry.

nOnce again this year we coordinated a statewide initiative called District Leaders enabling members to become more actively involved in the legislative system. We developed talking points, tools to engage your legislator, provided them with direct contacts to the legislative committees, and familiarized them with the process to pass a bill.

nCoordinated a statewide industry legislative survey to recognize tourism related issues and establish priorities and supported all these legislative issues as well as outside organizations’ issues.

nShirley Phillips served as chair of the Legislative Committee with Lisa Riggs and Kathy Dirks serving as well, Andy Milam served as chair of the Marketing Committee with Rebecca Peters serving on the committee as well.

nCoordinated information and designed priority sheets to educate the industry to the related issues and priorities for the annual conference and showcase.

nTravel Federation of Iowa contracted with lobbyists in partnership with the three tourism regions.

nProvided electronic legislative updates from the lobbyists to the membership and provided advocacy training.

nAttended all Travel Federation of Iowa Board meetings and assisted in the planning process for the organization.

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WESTERN IOWA TOURISM REGIONFor more information about becoming a member visit us at www.visitwesterniowa.com or call 888-623-4232.

legislative newsWITR Liaisons to the Travel Federation of Iowa:Lisa Riggs, Kathy Dirks, Andy Milam, Rebecca Peters and Shirley Phillips.

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Be a Member!Join a progressive organization

n Network with your peers involved in tourism product development and promotion.

n Create valuable partnerships. n Package and cross sell with other Region membersn Showcase your attraction/business on

www.visitwesterniowa.com.n Capitalize on opportunities offered by both the region

and the Iowa Tourism Office. n Increase visitor numbers. n Target new customers.n Learn from the pros at Region membership meetings and

workshops. n Have the opportunity to hear speakers from around the

Midwest. n Exercise your leadership skills by serving on committees

and the board. n Learn about new trends and opportunities including

funding to develop products. n Learn about grant opportunities.

n Receive Legislative Updates throughout the Legislative Session.

n Master advocacy skills to get the most financial assistance from foundations, organizations, and state and local governments.

To Become a MemberContact the office at (712) 662-7383 or visitwww.visitwesterniowa.com/membership

2016 Iowa Tourism Conference SCHOLARSH I PS AWARDSEvan Blakley, Chamber & Development

Council of Crawford County

Jessica Brownmiller, Le Mars Convention & Visitors Bureau

Freda Dammann, Manning Community Foundation

LeRoy Dammann, Heritage Hausbarn

Rachel Desy, Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County

Maureen Halbur, Manning Chamber of Commerce

Patsy Hume, Southern Loess Hills Welcome Center

Kiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic Development & Tourism

Merideth Maranville, Clarinda Chamber of Commerce

Brent Stockton, Sioux City Convention & Visitors Bureau

IOWA Tourism Awards

The Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa presented awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry in Bettendorf during the 2016 Iowa Tourism Conference.

Western Iowa Tourism Region Winners Were:Outstanding Dining Business: The Diving Elk, Sioux City (Metro)

Outstanding Lodging Property: Boulders Inn & Suites (Rural)

Outstanding Social Media Execution: Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, Council Bluffs (Metro)

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OUR MEMBERSAAA Home & Away MagazineAdair County TourismAdams Community Economic Development Corp.Albert City Threshermen & Collector Association Algona Area Chamber of CommerceArrowwood Resort & Conf. Center, OkobojiArtisans Road Trip (A.R.T.), NW IowaAssociations, IncAtlantic Chamber of CommerceAudubon Chamber of CommerceAudubon County TourismAudubon Historical SocietyBaxter Cycles, MarneeBonfire Marketing & Web Company, Milford Boulders Conference Center, DenisonBoulders Inn & Suites, AtlanticBoulders Inn & Suites, DenisonBoulders Inn & Suites, HolsteinBoulders Inn & Suites, Lake ViewBoulders Inn & Suites, OkobojiBreda, City ofBreezy Hills Vineyard, Minden Bridges Bay Resort, Arnolds ParkBuy Fresh Buy Local - SiouxlandCaesars Entertainment, Council Bluffs Calhoun County Economic DevelopmentCamp Algona P.O.W. MuseumCarroll Chamber of CommerceCarroll County ConservationCarrollton Inn & Event CenterCarstens 1800’s FarmsteadCass County Mormon TrailsCass County TourismChamber & Development Council of Crawford CountyCherokee Area Economic & Development CorporationChamber Main Street Sac CityCherokee County Chamber & RodeoCherokee County Tourism CouncilClarinda Chamber of CommerceClarinda Super 8Clay County ConservationClay County Fair Association, SpencerClay County Regional Events Center, SpencerCoon Rapids Development GroupCouncil Bluffs Convention & Visitors BureauCrawford County Conservation Board Creston/Union County TourismCustomized Newspaper Advertising, C.N.A. Dammann, Leroy and Freda, ManningDanish Villages Economic Development, Elk HornDanish Windmill Corporation, Elk HornDes Moines RegisterDickinson County ConservationDonna Reed Foundation, DenisonEmmetsburg Chamber/Welcome CenterEstherville Chamber of CommerceFarmall-Land USA Museum, AvocaFort Dodge Convention & Visitors BureauFremont County Historical SocietyFrench Icarian Colony Foundation, CorningFriends of Downtown (Harlan Main Street)Friends of Union Pacific Railroad MuseumGlenn Miller Birthplace Society, ClarindaGolden Hills RC & D, OaklandGrand Falls Casino Resort, LarchwoodGreenfield Main StreetGuthrie County Historical VillageGuthrie County Tourism Hamburg, City of

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sioux CityHarlan TribuneHarrison County Development CorporationHarrison County Historical Village & Welcome CenterHart Family HotelsHawarden Chamber & Economic DevelopmentHiggins Museum, OkobojiHistoric Arnold’s Park, OkobojiHitchcock House, LewisHoliday Inn at Ameristar, Council BluffsHoliday Inn Express & Suites, Council BluffsHoliday Inn Downtown, Sioux CityHotel GreenfieldHumboldt-Dakota City Chamber of CommerceIowa Department of Cultural Affairs/State Historical SocietyIowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce Iowa Golf Council Iowan Magazine, Des MoinesIowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Museum, Arnold’s Park Iowa State Snowmobile Association, SutherlandJohnny Carson Birthplace, CorningKings Pointe Waterpark & Resort, Storm LakeLake City Betterment AssociationLake Park, City of Lake View, City ofLake View Community ClubLaunchPad Children’s MuseumLe Mars Convention & Visitors BureauLewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux CityLiving Loess Economic Development, CrescentLoess Hills Alliance Economic DevelopmentLoess Hills Historical Society of Monona County Loess Hills Hospitality Association, MoorheadLoess Hills National Scenic Byway CouncilLoess Hills Vineyard & Winery, CrescentLyon County Economic DevelopmentM. Catton & Company, Le MarsMacedonia Hamilton Development CorporationMacedonia Historical Preservation SocietyManilla Area Historical Society/Klondike HotelManning Chamber of CommerceManning Hausbarn—Heritage ParkMidwest Partnership Economic Development CorporationMills County TourismMissouri Valley Chamber of CommerceMuseum of Danish America, Elk HornMyCountyParks.comNewell Historical Society/Allee MansionNishna Valley Trails, AtlanticNodaway Valley Historical Society, Clarinda Northwest Iowa Development, SheldonO’Brien County Conservation O’Brien County Economic Development & TourismOdebolt Betterment CommitteeOkoboji Summer TheatreOkoboji Tourism CommitteeOmaha World HeraldOnawa Chamber of CommerceOrange City Tulip FestivalOur Iowa Magazine, Des MoinesPage County ConservationPainted Camel Gallery, MacedoniaPalo Alto County ConservationParker Historical Society of Clay CountyPerforming Arts & Education Association of SW IA, Red OakPottawattamie County ConservationPrairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Treynor

Red Coach Inn & Restaurant, Red OakRed Oak Chamber and Industry AssociationRock Rapids Chamber of CommerceSac County ConservationSac County Economic & Tourism DevelopmentSanta Maria Vineyard & Winery, CarrollSapp Bros Travel Center, PercivalSergeant Floyd Riverboat Museum & Welcome Center, Sioux CityShelby County Chamber of Commerce & IndustryShelby County Historical Society/MuseumSheldon Chamber & Development CorporationShenandoah Chamber of CommerceShrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, West BendSidney Rodeo AssociationSioux City Art CenterSioux City Convention & Visitors BureauSiouxland Historic RailroadSouthern Iowa TourismSpencer Chamber of CommerceStanton Historical SocietyStar Destinations, CarrollStoney Creek Inn & Conference Center, Sioux CityStorm Lake UnitedStuart Chamber of CommerceTrinity Heights, Sioux CityThunder Roads Magazine of IowaUnion Pacific Railroad Museum, Council BluffsVan Wyngarden, DianeVillisca, City ofWall Lake Historical SocietyWalnut Merchants AssociationWatson Steam Train, Missouri ValleyWATTA WAY to see Pottawattamie County Web Graphics, MilfordWest Bend Chamber of CommerceWestern Iowa Grape Growers AssociationWhite Pole Road, MenloWhiterock Resort, Coon RapidsWild Rose Casino & Resort, EmmetsburgWinnaVegas, SloanWisecup Farm Museum, Missouri ValleyWoodbine Main Street ChamberWoodbury County Conservation Board

Adair Fremont PageAdams Guthrie Palo Alto Audubon Harrison PlymouthBuena Vista Ida PocahontasCalhoun Humboldt PottawattamieCarroll Kossuth Page SacCass Lyon SacCherokee Mills ShelbyClay Monona Sioux Crawford Montgomery TaylorDickinson O’Brien UnionEmmet Osceola Woodbury

Contributing Counties

To connect, develop and promote tourism in Western Iowa

Western Iowa Tourism Region615 West Main Street | Sac City, IA 50583

712-662-7383 | 888-623-4232 | visitwesterniowa.com