(Des Moines, IA) – On January 22, 2025, Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) hosted two impactful events designed to amplify the voice of Iowa’s tourism industry in the legislative process. The Advocacy 101: Legislative Training session and Iowa Tourism Night brought together tourism professionals and elected officials to foster collaboration and discuss the critical role tourism plays in Iowa’s economy.
More than 30 tourism professionals participated in the Advocacy 101 session, which offered valuable training on navigating the legislative process, engaging with lawmakers, and effectively advocating for the industry. Participants engaged in in-depth discussion on how to advocate before touring the Iowa State Capitol, visiting key locations such as the Supreme Court Chambers, the Secretary of State’s Office, the Auditor’s Office, the Capitol Dome, and the Law Library.
Participants heard remarks from Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer, along with Senators Dotzler, Kraayenbrink, Koelker, and Knox, as well as lobbyist David Adelman, who shared expert insights on impactful advocacy strategies.
“This event is a critical step in empowering tourism professionals to be effective advocates for Iowa’s tourism industry,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of iTIP. “Advocacy 101 gave our members the knowledge, tools, and confidence to engage with legislators effectively, ensuring our industry’s voice resonates at the Capitol.”
The evening’s Iowa Tourism Night reception, hosted at Curate in Downtown Des Moines, united bipartisan legislators and tourism professionals to discuss the critical role of tourism in Iowa’s economy. Legislators and industry representatives highlighted tourism’s contributions, which include supporting over 70,000 jobs and generating $1.1 billion in state and local tax revenue annually.
“The strong turnout at Iowa Tourism Night underscores the incredible partnerships we’ve built between tourism professionals and elected officials,” Lerud continued. “These events go beyond advocacy – they foster meaningful connections that shape the future of Iowa’s tourism industry. Together, we can advance policies that fuel economic growth, support job creation, and enhance community development across the state.”
The evening also served as a platform for iTIP to share the industry’s 2025 Legislative Priorities with Iowa’s elected officials:
- Promote Tourism Through User-Funded Enhancements: Support initiatives that allow self-sustaining user fees to invest in and improve tourism destinations across Iowa.
- Maintain Consistent Tourism Funding: Advocating for the preservation of vital budget allocations such as Destination Iowa, the Regional Sports Authority Districts, and the Iowa Tourism Office.
- Protect Iowa’s Summer Tourism Season: Safeguard the current school start date of August 23 and explore ways to extend the summer tourism season for statewide benefit.
- Fund the Major Tourism Attraction Fund: Secure ongoing support for the Major Tourism Attraction Fund to boost large-scale tourism projects that enhance Iowa’s appeal.
Iowa Tourism Night was made possible through the collaboration of statewide tourism organizations and partners, including the Iowa Gaming Association, CIT Signature Transportation, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City, Iowa Speedway, Iowa Association of Chambers of Commerce, Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Iowa PGA, RAGBRAI, Iowa’s County Conservation System, Iowa Brewers Guild, Iowa State Fair, Cedar Ridge Distillery, and key destination marketing organizations such as Catch Des Moines, Discover Ames, Travel Dubuque, Think Iowa City, and Visit Quad Cities.
