2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OfficersPresident

Kerrie KuiperFort Dodge Convention & Visitors Bureau

Vice PresidentAllyson WalterAmes Convention & Visitors Bureau

TreasurerHolly Berg

Area 15 Regional Planning Commission

Past PresidentGinger Williams

Charles City Chamber/CC Whitewater

Angie BolingerBoulders Inn & Suites

Lori Foresman-KirpesPolk County Conservation

Rustin LippincottFairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

Travis StevensonBoone & Scenic Valley Railroad

Diane Van WyngardenIowa State University

REGION STAFFExecutive DirectorAnn Vogelbacher

Administrative AssistantKasie Westrum

Central Iowa Tourism Region 2018 Annual Report

MISSION STATEMENT

To enhance tourism in central Iowa through

information, education, andpromotion in cooperationwith government and

business.

One of three tourism regionsin the state, the Central Iowa

Tourism Region (CITR) works with communities,attractions, events and

visitor services on tourismdevelopment and marketinginitiatives. Programs aredetermined by the board of directors with input

from the membership andfacilitated by region staff

and committees.

“The sessions are agreat opportunityto delve into topicsthat come up on thejob every day.”

“One of the besttourism/leadership

opportunities I’ve ever been a part of.”

SPECIAL PROJECTSIn FY 18 the Iowa Tourism Office invited the tourismregions to submit proposals to implement special projects.After soliciting input from the industry, three projectswere chosen for funding this year.

Iowa Tourism Leadership InstituteCommittee Members, Allyson Walter, Ann Vogelbacher, Carrie Koelker and Julie Stow. In its fourth year, the institute is dedicated to expandingthe leadership skills of industry members, while develop-ing professional networks among industry peers. • Held April 12-13 at the Hotel Kirkwood in Cedar Rapidswith 29 industry members from across Iowa participating,including nineteen 1st Year graduates, four 2nd Yeargraduates and four 3rd Year graduates.

• Partnered with the Eastern Iowa Tourism Region to poolfunding resources and enhance collaborative efforts.

• Curriculum consists of core courses based on the year of attendance and electives.Courses included developing your leadership influence, team building & personalityassessment, board & staff partnerships, high impact communications, leadingchange, collaboration & strategic alliances, and negotiation skills. Electives wereworking with volunteers, ask an attorney, facilitation skills, best practices & localcase studies, grant writing and effective meeting skills.

Career FairParticipated at two Iowa State University Career Fairs. • Shared employment and internship opportunities with over 50 students. • Students attending are majoring in hospitality and event management, health, wellness, government, or human & social services.

• Industry members were invited to assist at the career fairs.

Ask the ExpertsProvided consultations related to marketing,grants, working with volunteers, board members,succession planning, and human resources. • Participants provided information in advanceof their appointments. • Assisted ten industry members with consultations.

ADVOCACY/LEGISLATIVECITR liaisons to the Travel Federation of Iowa Board: Greg Edwards, Libbey Hohn, JoAnn Ruopp, Julie Weeks, and Ann Vogelbacher. • CITR leadership roles in 2018 - Libbey Hohn – President Elect and Greg Edwards - Treasurer.

• Surveyed industry members to determine legislative needs & priorities. • District leader program to facilitate industry communications with elected officialsabout issues facing the tourism industry.

• Produced annual fast fact tourism statistics and awareness information. • Held This is Iowa Tourism Legislative Showcase, a forum for industry members to share information with elected state officials about the importance of tourism to Iowa.

• Co-sponsor of the annual Iowa Tourism Conference and Tourism Awards.• Continued to raise awareness and embark on programs from the Iowa TourismSector Plan, a five-year industry vision for tourism in Iowa.

My one-on-one session wasincredible. I brought a ton of ideas back with me… somuch valuable information.

MARKETINGCentral Iowa Travel Guide• Produced 2018 Central IowaTravel Guide, a 72-page maga-zine style publication supportedsolely through advertising.

• Partnered with over 60 industry members that purchased advertising in the guide.

• Over 25,000 guides distributed to the Iowa WelcomeCenters, in response to web site inquiries and other visitor inquiries.

Travel Iowa Marketplace2017 Travel Iowa Marketplace Committee Members:Kris Blocker, Lindsey James, Laura Teno, Jill Vandevoort and Erin Schmitz. • Coordinated 22nd annual Travel Iowa Marketplace in November 2017 at Vermeer Global Pavilion, Pella.

• Attendance included 47 exhibitors and 56 tour planners.

• Offered one-day FAM tour for tour planners the daybefore marketplace.

• Partnered with Iowa Group Travel Association to bringplanners participating in multi-day Iowa FAM tour tothe marketplace.

GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS• Awarded scholarships to twelve industry members toattend the annual Iowa Tourism Conference.

• Encouraged and recruited industry members to serve on the statewide review committee for the IowaTourism Grants program.

EDUCATIONAnnual Meeting Committee Members: Lee Ann Bakros, Lisa Hanrahan, Kerrie Kuiper and Katie Stien. Hosted educational programs in conjunction with CITR meetings: • Improving Your Personal Productivity & Industry Round Tables

• Ask the Experts – Marketing, Grants, Working withVolunteers, Boards and Human Resources Topics

• Media Relations Training & Bonus Session – Exercise Your IGTA Membership

• Iowa Tourism Town Meeting with Iowa Tourism Office Staff

• Annual Meeting – Purpose Driven Innovation

COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIPS & INDUSTRY RELATIONSThe Central Iowa Tourism Region is funded on a successful and strong private and public partnership.Membership investments and involvement representbusinesses and organizations from all facets of thetourism industry. These investments and our contractwith the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s IowaTourism Office are critical to our unified voice. • Partnership with the Iowa Group Travel Association to host Travel Iowa Marketplace in November and educational session in January.

• Member of Iowa Destination Marketing Alliance and attended bi-monthly meetings.

• Served on statewide committees.• Assisted and served industry members with technicalassistance and support.

Central Iowa Tourism RegionPO Box 454, Webster City, IA 50595-0454515.832.4808 or 800.285.5842iowatourism.comAnn Vogelbacher, Executive Directorann@iowatourism.com

AdventurelandAdventureland InnAlbia Chamber of CommerceAltoona Area Chamber of CommerceAmericInn of Fort DodgeAmericInn Motel & Suites of GrimesAmericInn of NewtonAmericInn Hotel & Suites of OsageAmericInn Motel & Suites of OsceolaAmes Convention & Visitors BureauArea 15 Regional Planning CouncilArts R Alive Webster CityAssociations Inc.Barn Boutique, NorthwoodBlank Park ZooBluegrass Music Association of IowaBoone Area Chamber/CVBBoone County FairBoulders Inn ClarionBoulders Inn NewtonBoulders Inn & Suites - Polk CityBoxwoods Fine FurnishingsBricker-Price BlockBridge View CenterBrooklyn Chamber of CommerceCedar River ComplexCenter Grove OrchardCenterville Rathbun Lake Area

Chamber of CommerceChariton Valley Planning & DevelopmentCharles City Area Chamber of CommerceCIT Signature TransportationCity of EldoraClear Lake Area Chamber of CommerceCountry Cabins LLCCountry Inn & Suites, NorthwoodCountry Inn & Suites, PellaCourtyard By Marriott, AnkenyCreston/Union County TourismGreater Des Moines Botanical GardenDallas County Fair AssociationDes Moines Marriott DowntownDes Moines Performing Arts

Des Moines PlayhouseDexter MuseumDiamond Jo Casino, Worth CountyDysart Development CorporationFairfield Iowa CVBFort Dodge CVBThe Fort MuseumFox Ridge Winery LLCFranklin County Fair AssociationFranklin County TourismFrontier Trading Post, Inc.Gaela Wilson ConsultingGreater Des Moines Convention

& Visitors BureauGreene County Chamber of CommerceGriff's Valley View RV ParkGrimes Chamber & Economic

DevelopmentGrinnell Chamber/Convention

& Visitors BureauGrowing Family Fun, Geisler Farms, Inc.Hamilton County ConservationHamilton County Economic DevelopmentHeart of America GroupHeart of Iowa Wine TrailHilton Garden Inn, West Des MoinesHistoric Park InnHistoric Valley Junction FoundationHoliday Inn Conference Center,

Des Moines AirportHoliday Inn & Suites, Des Moines

NorthwestHoney Creek ResortHotel GrinnellHotel Ottumwa & AmericInn of OttumwaHotel PatteeImage SolutionsInbound Iowa, LLCIndianola Chamber of CommerceInt’Veld’s Meat MarketIowa Arboretum, Inc.Iowa Falls Chamber/Main StreetIowa Gold Star Military MuseumIowa Golf Council

Iowa Mormon Trails AssociationIowa Museum AssociationIowa Quilt MuseumIowa Railroad Historical Society -

Boone & Scenic Valley RailroadIowa Restaurant AssociationIowa SpeedwayIowa State Fair Iowa State Historical MuseumIowa State Snowmobile AssociationIowa State University Jasper WineryJohn Wayne Birthplace SocietyJordan Creek Town CenterLake Red RockLakeside Casino ResortLegacy Hotel Group - County Inn

& Suites & AmericInn, Ames & CountryInn, Grinnell & Coralville

Legacy Learning Boone River ValleyLegacy Travel GroupLiving History FarmsMadison County Chamber of CommerceMahaska County Historical SocietyMain Street Cultural District, AmesMarion County Development CommissionMarshalltown Convention & Visitors

BureauMatchstick Marvels Tourist CenterMaytag Dairy FarmsMyCountyParks.com - Iowa's County

Conservation SystemNational Balloon ClassicNational Balloon MuseumNational Hobo MuseumNational Sprint Car Hall of Fame

& Museum, KnoxvilleNevada Chamber of CommerceNiland's Café & Colo MotelOsage Chamber of CommerceOsceola Chamber-Main StreetOskaloosa Area Chamber of

Commerce/MCRFOttumwa Area CVB

Our Iowa MagazinePella Convention and Visitors BureauPella Historical SocietyPella Opera HousePeppercorn PantryPolk County ConservationPrairie Meadows Prairie Rivers of IowaPremier Travel MediaQueen Anne Bed & Breakfast, NevadaR Campground Inc.Reiman Gardens, AmesRenaissance Des Moines Savery HotelRoyal Amsterdam Hotel, PellaScience Center Of IowaSeven Oaks Recreation, Inc.Silos & Smokestacks National

Heritage AreaStar Destinations, Inc.Story City Greater Chamber ConnectionSummerset WinerySurf Ballroom & MuseumTassel Ridge Winery"The Cow" Coffee & Pie ShoppeThe Hemken CollectionThe Iowan Magazine/Pioneer

CommunicationsTop of Iowa Welcome CenterTourism Lucas County/

Chariton Chamber Main StreetTraer Historical MuseumTraer Salt and Pepper Shaker GalleryTrainland U.S.A.Trans Iowa Charters, L.C.Tyden Farm No. 6Valley West Mall, West Des MoinesVan Wijk WineryVillages of Van BurenVisit Mason CityWaterloo Convention & Visitors BureauWebster City ChamberWild Rose Casino & Resort, JeffersonWinn-Worth Betco

Appanoose, Boone, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Clarke, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Grundy,Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Jasper, Keokuk, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Monroe,Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Worth and Wright.

Membership is available to counties within the region and to businesses,organizations and others interested in tourism in Central Iowa. In 2018,membership in CITR totaled nearly 200 members.

CITR Business/Organization Members

CITR County Members

iowatourism.com