WINTERSET, IOWA (June 25, 2025) – Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP), the leading statewide association for Iowa’s tourism and hospitality industry, presented its annual iTIP Foundation Awards during a ceremony held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Winterset. The event was presented with generous support from the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, serving as the official ceremony sponsor.
“It was a privilege to celebrate these tourism and hospitality champions,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP). “The stories behind each award reflect the creativity, resilience, and dedication that drive our industry forward. Recognizing these individuals and organizations reminds us of the powerful role tourism plays in strengthening Iowa’s communities and economy.”
The awards were presented as part of iTIP’s annual meeting and Summer Celebration, which brought together tourism professionals, partners, and community leaders from across the state. The morning began with a networking breakfast, generously sponsored by Iowa PBS and Tempest, offering attendees a warm welcome and the chance to connect before the ceremony. Terry Rich, former CEO of the Iowa Lottery and Blank Park Zoo, emceed the program, which also featured an inspiring keynote from Matt Stutzman, Iowa’s world-renowned “Armless Archer” and Fairfield native.
Award nominations were submitted earlier this spring and reviewed by the iTIP Foundation Board of Trustees. All recipients were nominated by their peers. Awards were given in multiple categories, some with subsections based on community population.
“Iowa tourism is a $10.9 billion industry for the state, but in many ways, it goes unnoticed,” said Mark Eckman, Chair of the iTIP Foundation Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau. “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.”
“These awards recognize the very best of Iowa’s tourism and hospitality sector — from visionary leaders to unique local attractions and innovative sustainability efforts,” added 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 2025 iTIP Foundation Awards recipients are:
- Arts, Culture & Heritage Award, presented by The Group Travel Leader
• Small Market: Appanoose County Historical Stitchers, Centerville
• Large Market: Herky On Parade, Think Iowa City - Only in Iowa Award, presented by RAGBRAI
• Small Market: Johnny Clock Museum, Lockridge
• Large Market: Hitchcock Nature Center, Pottawattamie County - Rising Star Award
• 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 Award, presented by Oak View Group
• Small Market: American State Bank Sports Complex, Sioux Center
• Large Market: Cabin Coffee Company, based in Clear Lake with locations statewide - Sustainability Initiative Award
• 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 Iowa Gaming Association
• Mayor Nelson Crabb, Clear Lake - iTIP Partner of the Year, presented by Madden Media
• Kim Grzywacz, CIT Signature Transportation - Abby Kisling Leadership Award, presented by Meet Ottumwa
• Terry Baker, Visit Fairfield - Joe Taylor Vision Award, presented by Visit Quad Cities
• Greg Edwards, Catch Des Moines
• Wes Ehrecke, Iowa Gaming Association
This year’s event was not only a celebration of new honorees, but also a reinvestment in past award winners. Two 2024 recipients — Petite Cafe, which provided breakfast catering, and CIT Signature Transportation, which served as the official transportation provider — were hired as vendors for the 2025 ceremony, continuing iTIP’s mission to showcase and support Iowa’s tourism talent in meaningful ways.
All recipients exemplify the excellence and innovation found throughout Iowa’s tourism and hospitality sector. From enhancing cultural experiences to championing sustainability and elevating customer service, each award winner plays a vital role in advancing the state’s visitor economy. Iowa Travel Industry Partners extends sincere congratulations to all 2025 honorees and thanks the event sponsors for their continued support in making the celebration possible.
