Iowa’s elected officials are invited to join tourism professionals from across the state in an engaging virtual forum to discuss the future of Iowa’s tourism industry and its key priorities for 2026. As tourism continues to play a vital role in Iowa’s economy, it’s essential to explore innovative strategies that will support the industry’s growth, sustainability, and statewide impact. This is an excellent opportunity for elected officials to connect with tourism leaders, understand the industry’s priorities, and collaborate on policies that will help grow Iowa’s tourism economy.

This forum will provide a platform to learn about and discuss the following 2026 priorities:

1. Keep Iowa Competitive
   – Advance new opportunities such as Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs), which give local hospitality partners the ability to collectively invest in marketing and development initiatives. Protect critical existing sources like the hotel/motel tax that communities rely on to support tourism growth.
2. Maintain Iowa’s Summer Tourism Season
   – Safeguard the current school start date of August 23 to ensure a strong end-of-summer tourism season that benefits attractions, events, and communities across Iowa. Preserving this timeframe protects an important period of visitor spending and seasonal employment, supporting jobs and local businesses.
3. Preserve and Grow State Investment in Tourism
   – Continue funding proven programs such as Destination Iowa, Regional Sports Authority Districts (RSAD), and Community Attraction & Tourism (CAT). Sustained investment in the Iowa Tourism Office and outdoor recreation programs is essential to expand statewide impact and ensure communities across Iowa benefit from tourism growth.
4. Make New Tourism Programs Work for Iowa
   – With the new Major Events & Tourism Fund now established, the focus is on making sure it is implemented effectively. Proper rollout will ensure Iowa can compete for large-scale events and projects that bring national attention and economic impact to our state.

This event is open to Iowa’s elected officials and any iTIP Member.

RSVP here to gain the meeting login credentials. (https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/19ffebd8-6f9a-40e5-bf87-61ae0b86c89f@91390cd9-931b-46b5-85b2-3c171adaa5ac)