(Mason City, IA) – Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) recently brought together industry professionals from across the state for the iLEAD Leadership Symposium, held February 20-21, 2025, at the Historic Park Inn in Mason City. Designed to foster leadership growth among Iowa’s tourism professionals, the event featured dynamic sessions focused on innovation, collaboration, and professional development.
The travel and hospitality industry continues to evolve, requiring leaders to think differently, take risks, and challenge the status quo. The iLEAD Leadership Symposium provided an opportunity for participants—ranging from emerging leaders to seasoned executives—to refine their leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and gain fresh insights to elevate their organizations.
“The intimate setting of iLEAD is intentional, creating an environment where Iowa’s tourism professionals can sharpen their leadership skills while forming valuable relationships with peers,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of iTIP. “It’s inspiring to watch these connections grow over just a day and a half, and I look forward to seeing how attendees apply what they’ve learned to shape the future of our industry.”
The iLEAD Leadership Symposium brought together 31 tourism professionals from across Iowa, with attendees representing communities from all corners of the state. Participants ranged from Sioux City in the west to the Quad Cities in the east, and from Allamakee County in the north to the Villages of Van Buren in the south. Whether from large urban centers or small rural communities, participants came together to share insights, collaborate, and gain the skills necessary to drive Iowa’s tourism industry forward.
Beyond the sessions, attendees experienced Mason City through curated evening activities designed to foster networking and showcase the community’s offerings. On Wednesday, participants enjoyed a wine, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar tasting, followed by a charcuterie board-making lesson at Simply Nourished. Afterward, the group indulged in a delicious dinner at The Quarry. Thursday’s events featured a cocktail hour at Fat Hill Brewing, dinner at Past Time Gardens—one of Mason City’s best-kept secrets—and a mixology class at Walsh’s Shebeen, a local speakeasy. These experiences provided a relaxed setting for continued conversations, deeper connections, and a taste of the city’s vibrant hospitality.
2025 iLEAD Session Highlights:
- The Six Keys to Leading with Intention – Ethan Miller, Ethan Miller Mental Performance: A session focused on actionable strategies to lead with purpose and clarity in today’s fast-paced environment.
- Bend Time, Don’t Break It: 168-Hour Perspective – Tara Allen, Eagle Eye Vision Consulting, LLC: Offering practical insights on time management and productivity, this session helped attendees better allocate their 168 hours each week.
- A.I./I.A. Artificially Intelligence Iowa: Streamline, Automate, Innovate – Tara Allen, Eagle Eye Vision Consulting, LLC: Exploring the potential of AI to improve tourism operations, this session covered automation tools that can enhance efficiency and drive growth.
- The World’s Largest Social Business Network: How to Be More Effective on LinkedIn – Sheila Scarborough, Tourism Currents: Attendees learned how to leverage LinkedIn to increase visibility, network more effectively, and boost professional relationships.
- Building Stronger Communities: The Power of Collaborative Care Across Industries – John Derryberry, North Iowa 43: This session focused on how community leaders can work together to build stronger, more resilient local economies through collaboration.
- Leading with Purpose: Building a Thriving Community Through Bold Educational Leadership – Bridgette Exman Dunn, Mason City Public Schools: Attendees gained insights into how education and community leadership work hand-in-hand to create lasting change.
- Black and White Leadership Lessons – Chief Jeff Brinkley, Mason City Police Department: A look into leadership lessons learned from real-world challenges and how to lead with integrity and transparency.
The success of the iLEAD Leadership Symposium was made possible thanks to the generous support of industry leaders and local partners: Visit Mason City, McDaniels Marketing, Neapolitan Labs, Orange 142, and The Group Travel Leader. These partners, along with iTIP, are committed to strengthening Iowa’s travel and hospitality industry through collaboration, innovation, and shared resources. Their support helped make this transformative event possible, ensuring that attendees were left with not only fresh insights but also new connections to continue driving the industry forwar
