2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OfficersPresident

Ginger WilliamsCharles City Chamber/

CC Whitewater

Vice PresidentKerrie Kuiper

Fort Dodge Convention & Visitors Bureau

TreasurerAllyson WalterAmes Convention & Visitors Bureau

Holly BergArea 15 Regional

Planning Commission

Matt KiernanRenaissance Des Moines

Savery Hotel

Rustin LippincottFairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

Diane Van WyngardenIowa State University

Gaela WilsonGaela Wilson Consulting

REGION STAFFExecutive DirectorAnn Vogelbacher

Administrative AssistantKasie Tudor

2017ANNUALREPORTCENTRAL IOWA TOURISM REGION

SPECIAL PROJECTSIowa Tourism LeadershipInstituteProgram designed to expand industry knowl-edge and leadership skills, while developingprofessional networks among attendees. • Attendees apply to attend the Institute.Curriculum of required core courses & electives, with a third year added in 2017.

• Core courses include personality assessment,marketing & branding, board/staff partner-ships, time management, leading change,innovation & creativity.

• Electives offered on social media ROI, networking etiquette, speaking for businessprofessionals, ethics, communicating difficultworkplace issues & facilitation skills.

• Held in April at the Hotel Pattee, 23 industrymembers from across Iowa participated withnine 1st Year graduates, six 2nd Year gradu-ates and eight 3rd Year graduates.

Power of Travel DayPartnership with Iowa’s three tourism regionsand the Iowa Tourism Office/Iowa EconomicDevelopment Authority. • One day education & networking event toengage and energize industry members.

• Expanded this year with morning & afternoonbreak-outs and keynote session focused on sales,capturing mindshare and problem solving.

• Held April 2017 with over 140 industrymembers attending.

Your Design on Our DimeProvided consultation services for social mediacampaigns, profile forms, taglines, rack cards orflyers with professional copywriter & designer. • Assisted ten industry members with projects. • Participants completed pre-consultationquestionnaire and met with consultants during one-on-one appointments.

• Provided finalized materials and templatesto implement efforts.

Customer Service/Hospitality TrainingPartnered with community organizations andIowa State University Extension & Outreach toprovide training for front line staff. Expansionof a pilot program initiated by CITR in 2015,with all three tourism regions offering statewidein 2016-2017.• Local hosts provide training venue and are

responsible for promoting & coordinating session in their community.

• CITR participating communities: • Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau• Boone County CVB• Clear Lake Area Chamber & Visit Mason City

• Charles City Area Chamber• Greater Des Moines CVB • Grinnell Area Chamber• Greene County Chamber• Madison County Chamber• Marshalltown CVB• Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development• Tama County Tourism• Tourism Lucas County/Chariton ChamberMain Street

• Wright County Extension Tourism Partners

LEGISLATIVECITR liaisons to the Travel Federation of IowaBoard: Greg Edwards, Carla Eysink, LibbeyPatton, Gaela Wilson, and Ann Vogelbacher. • CITR leadership roles in 2017: LibbeyPatton – Vice President, Carla Eysink – PastPresident, and Greg Edwards – Treasurer.

• Conducted survey to determine legislativeneeds & priorities of the tourism industry.

• District leader program facilitates industrycommunications with elected officials aboutissues facing the tourism industry.

• Published annual Fast Fact Tourism statistics and awareness information, alongwith a new website.

• Hosted Legislative Showcase that providesforum for industry members to share infor-mation with elected state officials about the importance of tourism to Iowa.

• Co-sponsor of the annual Iowa TourismConference and Tourism Awards.

• Continued to raise awareness and embark onprograms from the Iowa Tourism Sector Plan,a five-year industry vision for tourism in Iowa.

MissionStatementTo enhance tourism incentral Iowa throughinformation, education,

and promotion in cooperation with government and

business.

I love everything about the LeadershipInstitute! The sessions & networkingare outstanding.

– Iowa Tourism Leadership Institute Attendee

One of the best educational opportunities I go to! The sessions are tailored to helping us grow as professionals.

– Iowa Tourism Leadership Institute Attendee

We had overall excellent reviews.Attendees said what was most helpfulwas how to handle complaints, theimportance of empowering front linestaff and learning more about theircommunity.

– Allyson Walter, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau

MARKETINGCentral Iowa Travel Guide

• Produced 2017 Central Iowa Travel Guide, a 72-page magazine style publication.

• Partnered with nearly 50 industry memberswho purchase advertising in the guide whichis solely supported through ad sales. • Over 25,000 guides distributed to the IowaWelcome Centers, in response to web siteinquiries and other visitor inquiries.

Travel Iowa Marketplace2016 Travel Iowa Marketplace Committee: Linda Baynes,Emily Counts, Kelly Halbert, Abby Kisling, Jill Vandevoort,Ginger Williams, and Nancy Roth.• Coordinated 21st annual Travel Iowa Marketplace in November 2016 at Bridge View Center, Ottumwa.

• Fifty-four exhibitors and ten sponsors participated as partners in the marketplace with fifty-five plannersattending marketplace.

• Offered one-day FAM (familiarization) tour for tourplanners the day before marketplace. The tour washosted by the Albia Area Chamber of Commerce.

• Partnered with Iowa Group Travel Association to bringplanners participating in IGTA’s multi-day Iowa FAMtour to the Marketplace. Majority were from out-of-stateand provided exhibitors with exposure to these tourplanners.

• Researched formats for the marketplace and surveyedtour planners and industry members. Results showedpreference for the tradeshow format, a central location,and continued coordination with the IGTA multi-dayFAM tour.

EDUCATIONEducation Committee Members: Linda Baynes, ValinnMcReynolds and Maureen Seamonds. Annual MeetingCommittee Members: Linda Baynes, Carla Eysink, Lisa Hanrahan, and Lindsey James. Hosted professional development sessions in conjunctionwith CITR meetings: • Business Writing for Professionals. Bonus Session:

Tell Your Story through various platforms with the Iowa Tourism Office.

• It’s a Jungle Out There, Let CITR Be Your Guide –interactive session with solutions for real-world problems & challenges; CITR Project Ideas & InputSession and Bonus Session: Advocacy Training.

• Our Permanent Whitewater Work World – Adapting &Leading through Organizational Change. IGTA BonusSession - Itinerary & Profile Form Development.

• Iowa Tourism Town Meeting with Iowa Tourism Office Staff.

• Annual Meeting - Uncork Your Volunteer & StaffingPotential

GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS• Awarded Iowa Tourism Conference Scholarships to

thirteen industry members.• Encouraged industry members to serve on review

committees for the Iowa Tourism Grants program.• Participated in industry input committee for the

grant programs.

The Central Iowa Tourism Region,also known as CITR is a non-profit organization that was incorporated in 1987. One of three tourism regions in the state, CITR works with communities, attractions, events and visitor services on tourism

development and marketing initiatives. Programs are determined by theboard with input from the membership and facilitated by

region staff and committees.

Central Iowa Tourism RegionPO Box 454, Webster City, IA 50595-0454515.832.4808 or 800.285.5842iowatourism.comAnn Vogelbacher, Executive Directorann@iowatourism.com

CITR BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION MEMBERSAdventurelandAdventureland InnAlbia Chamber of CommerceAltoona Area Chamber of CommerceAmericInn of Fort DodgeAmericInn Motel & Suites of GrimesAmericInn of NewtonAmericInn Hotel & Suites of OsageAmericInn Motel & Suites of OsceolaAmes Convention & Visitors BureauAssociations Inc.Barn Boutique, NorthwoodBlank Park ZooBluegrass Music Association of IowaBoone Area Chamber/CVBBoone County FairBoulders Inn ClarionBoulders Inn NewtonBoulders Inn & Suites - Polk CityBoxwoods Fine FurnishingsBridge View CenterBrooklyn Chamber of CommerceCedar River ComplexCenter Grove OrchardCenterville Area Chamber of CommerceChariton Valley Planning &Development

Charles City Area Chamber ofCommerce

CIT Signature TransportationCity of EldoraClear Lake Area Chamber of CommerceCountry Cabins LLCCountry Inn & Suites, NorthwoodCountry Inn & Suites, PellaCourtyard By Marriott, AnkenyCreston/Union County TourismGreater Des Moines Botanical GardenDallas County Fair AssociationDes Moines Marriott DowntownDes Moines Metro OperaDes Moines Performing ArtsDes Moines PlayhouseDes Moines Register/Register Media

Dexter MuseumDiamond Jo Casino, Worth CountyDysart Development CorporationFairfield Iowa CVBFort Dodge CVBThe Fort MuseumFox Ridge Winery LLCFranklin County Fair AssociationFranklin County TourismFrontier Trading Post, Inc.Gaela Wilson ConsultingGreater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau

Greene County Chamber of CommerceGriff's Valley View RV ParkGrimes Chamber & EconomicDevelopment

Grinnell Chamber/Convention & Visitors Bureau

Growing Family Fun, Geisler Farms, Inc.Hamilton County ConservationHamilton County Economic DevelopmentHeart of America GroupHeart of Iowa Wine TrailHilton Garden Inn, West Des MoinesHistoric Park InnHistoric Valley Junction FoundationHoliday Inn Conference Center, Des Moines Airport

Holiday Inn & Suites, Des MoinesNorthwest

Honey Creek ResortHotel GrinnellHotel Ottumwa & AmericInn of OttumwaHotel PatteeImage SolutionsInbound Iowa, LLCIndianola Chamber of CommerceIowa Arboretum, Inc.Iowa Bed & Breakfast GuildIowa Falls Chamber/Main StreetIowa Gold Star Military MuseumIowa Golf CouncilIowa Mormon Trails Association

Iowa Museum AssociationIowa Quilt MuseumIowa Railroad Historical Society - Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad

Iowa Restaurant AssociationIowa SpeedwayIowa State Fair Iowa State Historical MuseumIowa State Snowmobile AssociationIowa State University Jasper WineryJohn Wayne Birthplace SocietyJordan Creek Town CenterKnoxville RacewayKnoxville Tourism Advisory CommissionLake Red RockLakeside Casino ResortLegacy Hotel Group - County Inn & Suites & AmericInn, Ames &Country Inn, Grinnell & Coralville

Legacy Learning Boone River ValleyLegacy Travel GroupLiving History FarmsMadison County Chamber of CommerceMahaska County Historical SocietyMain Street Cultural District, AmesMarion County DevelopmentCommission

Marshalltown Convention & VisitorsBureau

Matchstick Marvels Tourist CenterMaytag Dairy FarmsMyCountyParks.com - Iowa's CountyConservation System

National Balloon ClassicNational Balloon MuseumNational Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, Knoxville

Nevada Chamber of CommerceNewton Convention and Visitors BureauNiland's Café & Colo MotelOsage Chamber of CommerceOsceola Chamber-Main StreetOskaloosa Area Chamber ofCommerce/MCRF

Ottumwa Area CVBOur Iowa MagazinePella Convention and Visitors BureauPella Historical SocietyPella Opera HousePolk County ConservationPrairie Meadows Prairie Rivers of IowaPremier Travel MediaQueen Anne Bed & Breakfast, NevadaR Campground Inc.Reiman Gardens, AmesRenaissance Des Moines Savery HotelRoyal Amsterdam Hotel, PellaScience Center Of IowaSeven Oaks Recreation, Inc.Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area

Star Destinations, Inc.Story City Greater Chamber ConnectionSummerset WinerySurf Ballroom & MuseumTassel Ridge WineryTerrace Hill"The Cow" Coffee & Pie ShoppeThe Hemken CollectionThe Iowan Magazine/PioneerCommunications

Top of Iowa Welcome CenterTourism Lucas County/Chariton Chamber Main Street

Traer Historical MuseumTraer Salt and Pepper Shaker GalleryTrainland U.S.A.Trans Iowa Charters, L.C.Tyden Farm No. 6Valley West Mall, West Des MoinesVillages of Van BurenVisit Mason CityWaterloo Convention & Visitors BureauWebster City ChamberWinn-Worth Betco

Appanoose, Boone, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Clarke, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Greene,Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Jasper, Keokuk, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall,Mitchell, Monroe, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Worth and Wright.

CITR COUNTY MEMBERS

Membership is available to counties within the region and to businesses,organizations and others interested in tourism in Central Iowa. In 2017, membership in CITR totaled nearly 200 members.