Program supports 28 tourism professionals statewide with $40,000 in funding
iTIP, in partnership with the Iowa Tourism Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, has announced the recipients of the third and final round of funding for the 2026 Elevate Iowa Tourism: Education Scholarship. This round awarded $14,728 to 10 tourism professionals across the state, bringing the program’s total 2026 investment to $40,000 supporting 28 individuals.
The Elevate Iowa Tourism: Education Scholarship supports Iowa tourism professionals as they attend regional and national conferences to build skills, exchange ideas, and bring new perspectives back to their organizations and communities. Funding for this scholarship is made possible through a partnership with the Iowa Tourism Office.
“Elevate Iowa underscores what makes Iowa’s tourism industry strong—its people,” said Amy Zeigler, State Tourism Manager at the Iowa Tourism Office. “By supporting professional development across a wide range of roles and communities, we’re fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and building a more connected industry statewide.”
Conferences Supporting Professional Growth
Recipients in this round will attend a range of professional development opportunities that strengthen leadership, marketing, visitor experience, and community engagement across Iowa’s tourism industry. Conferences include:
- Destinations International Business Operations Summit – A focused program for destination organization professionals centered on operational strategy, organizational effectiveness, and business practices that support destination success
- Disney Leadership Institute – A leadership development program focused on organizational culture, customer experience, and team engagement
- International Festivals & Events Association Conference – A global event focused on festival and event management, marketing, and operations
- Land Trust Alliance Rally – A national conference centered on land conservation, stewardship, and public access to natural spaces
- Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit – A leadership-focused event for senior-level professionals in sports tourism and event strategy
Additional recipients will attend conferences focused on leadership, industry trends, and specialized areas of tourism and hospitality. A full list of scholarship recipients and their selected conferences can be found online.
“The Elevate Iowa program continues to create meaningful opportunities for tourism professionals across the state,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners. “Learning from what is happening outside of Iowa helps our industry stay competitive, and recipients bring those ideas back to strengthen their organizations and communities.”
For more information about the Elevate Iowa Tourism: Education Scholarship, visit https://iowatravelindustry.org/news/elevate-iowa-tourism-education-scholarship/.