(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Officials with the Cass County Tourism Committee report the Committee met on December 16, 2023. After some discussion, the group decided to change things up a bit for the 2024 year. The schedule will now include four meetings per year, with meetings at 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the following months: February, May, August and November. Meetings will take place at the Atlantic Chamber unless otherwise noted.

A new slate of officers was elected for the 2024 year.

President: Lora Kanning

Secretary: Emily Kennedy

Treasurer: Kenner Baxter

According to a report from Travel Iowa, the economic impact of visitors in Iowa is significant, including our own Cass County! Visitor spending in 2022 (the most current economic impact statement) was a whopping $6.9 BILLION dollars! That means approximately $19 MILLION was spent EVERY DAY by visitors to Iowa.

In Cass County, local sales taxes collected amounted to over $1,700,000! And state sales taxes collected in Cass County for the year was $2,170,000! Tourism is much more than fun and games…it means business!

If you’re interested in the future of Tourism in Cass County, please plan to attend the next Tourism Committee meeting this coming Wednesday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office on north Chestnut Street (the former Rock Island Depot).