BURLINGTON, IOWA (May 12, 2025) – Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP), the leading statewide association of the tourism and hospitality industry, has announced the recipients of the annual iTIP Foundation Awards. The awards ceremony will take place at the association’s annual meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Winterset.
“The iTIP Foundation Awards are designed to shine a light on the individuals, organizations, and initiatives that are making a measurable difference in growing Iowa’s visitor economy,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP). “Each award tells a story of innovation, commitment, and impact – and it’s an honor to recognize the people who make Iowa a remarkable place to visit, explore, and enjoy.”
The iTIP Awards are open to all individuals, private businesses, for-profit and non-profit organizations offering a tourism and/or hospitality service in Iowa. Nominations occurred throughout the spring with the iTIP Foundation Board of Trustees scoring the applications. All recipients were nominated by their peers. Many award categories contained subsections based on market size. Small Market included cities with a population under 10,000. Medium Market is a population 10,000-30,000. Large Market is larger than 30,000.
“Iowa tourism is a $10.9 billion industry for the state, but in many ways, it goes unnoticed. The iTIP Foundation Awards seek to elevate and tell the success stories of our industry’s key players. While Iowans are generally very modest, we can’t celebrate success too much,” said Mark Eckman, Chair of the iTIP Foundation Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The 2025 iTIP Awards recipients:
- Arts, Culture & Heritage, presented by The Group Travel Leader, recognizes a business, organization, event, or destination that showcases the arts, culture, or history for the enhancement of the tourism experience and economic well-being of the community.
- Small Market: Appanoose County Historical Stitchers, Centerville
- Large Market: Herky On Parade, Think Iowa City
- Only in Iowa, presented by the RAGBRAI, recognizes a business, organization, or destination that makes the state of Iowa unique, noteworthy, and proud.
- Small Market: Johnny Clock Museum, Lockridge
- Large Market: Hitchcock Nature Center, Pottawattamie County
- Rising Star, is an award recognizing someone new to the Iowa tourism industry within the past five years who has demonstrated leadership, commitment, and passion for the Iowa travel industry.
- Small Market: Delaney Evers, Promoting Appanoose & Centerville Together (PACT)
- Medium Market: Hannah Ausenhus, Visit Mason City
- Large Market: Adam Bolander, Cedar Falls Tourism
- Service Excellence, presented by Oak View Group, recognizes a business or organization that has achieved significant success and growth by providing exceptional customer service.
- Small Market: American State Bank Sports Complex, Sioux Center
- Large Market: Cabin Coffee Company, based in Clear Lake with locations statewide
- Sustainability Initiative awards efforts that reduce the impact of human activity on the environment while promoting tourism in Iowa.
- Small Market: Central Gardens of North Iowa, Clear Lake
- Medium Market: Meet Ottumwa and Wapello County Conservation
- Large Market: Principal Charity Classic, Des Moines
- Elected Official of the Year, presented by the Iowa Gaming Association, is presented to an elected official, at any governmental level, who dynamically supports activity that bolsters the economic impact that tourism produces for the state.
- Nelson Crabb, Mayor, Clear Lake
- iTIP Partner of the Year, presented by Madden Media, is awarded to a business, organization, or individual that has provided extraordinary support to iTIP in the past year.
- Kim Grzywacz, CIT Signature Transportation
- The Abby Kisling Leadership Award, presented by Meet Ottumwa, is named in honor of the late Abby Kisling, longtime member of Iowa’s tourism industry. Kisling worked for Tipton Economic Development, Eastern Iowa Tourism Association, Greater Ottumwa Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Villages of Van Buren. Her leadership for small and rural Iowa communities provided a strong voice within the industry. She brought spunk and spirit to everything she did.
- Terry Baker, Visit Fairfield
- The Joe Taylor Vision Award, presented by Visit Quad Cities, is named in honor of the late Joe Taylor, longtime CEO of Visit Quad Cities and industry visionary. Taylor worked for the region’s official destination marketing and management organization for almost 30 years. He served as executive director of the Davenport Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in 1989. Then on July 1, 1990, the three local tourism organizations officially merged to become the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, now Visit Quad Cities.
- Greg Edwards, Catch Des Moines
- Wes Ehrecke, Iowa Gaming Association
“These awards recognize the very best of Iowa’s tourism and hospitality sector – from visionary leaders to unique local attractions and innovative sustainability efforts,” said Dave Herrell, President of the iTIP Board of Directors and President & CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “Each honoree represents the talent, heart, and ambition driving our industry forward.”
The recipients and their guests are invited to a reception and award ceremony at 9 am on Tuesday, June 10 at the Winterset Livery in Winterset. The ceremony is sponsored by the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau. Details of the annual meeting and awards program can be found at IowaTravelIndustry.org.