March 21, 2024 (Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Tourism Office presented 24 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry during the 2024 Iowa Tourism Conference in Des Moines this week. State Tourism Manager Amy Zeigler says “These awards recognize the hard work and dedication of our tourism industry partners and the appeal of Iowa as a destination. We look forward to building on the positive momentum for continued success in 2024.”

Awards, divided into metro and rural distinctions, were made in 13 categories. In addition, conference attendees voted for the People’s Choice Award; nominees were the second-highest scoring nominations.

The complete list of 2024 Iowa Tourism Award recipients (*=area awards):

Outstanding Attraction

• Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City (Metro)*
• Mt. Crescent Ski Area, Honey Creek (Rural)*

Outstanding Community

• Cedar Rapids (Metro)
• Jefferson (Rural)

Outstanding Dining Business

• 7 Hills Brewing Company, Dubuque (Metro)
• The Centennial, Jefferson (Rural)

Outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative: Catch Des Moines (Metro)

Outstanding Event

• Des Moines Arts Festival (Metro)
• Tri-State Rodeo, Fort Madison (Rural)

Outstanding Individual Leader: Diane Van Wyngarden, Oskaloosa (Metro)

Outstanding Lodging Property

• DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Center, Cedar Rapids (Metro)
• Corning Hotel LLC, Corning (Rural)*

Outstanding Marketing Collaboration

• Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau (Metro)*
• Emerge Marketing Solutions, Manning (Rural)*

Outstanding Niche Market Initiative

• Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau (Metro)*
• Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce (Rural)

Outstanding Promotional Material

• Cedar Rapids Tourism (Metro)
• Fayette County Economic Development & Tourism (Rural)

Outstanding Retail Experience

• Modern Dress, Boone (Metro)
• Harvestville Farm, Donnellson (Rural)

Outstanding Social Media Execution

• Catch Des Moines (Metro)
• Emerge Marketing Solutions, Manning (Rural)*

Outstanding Website: Visit Pella (Metro)

People’s Choice Award: Grow Cedar Valley

The Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state’s beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $6.9 billion in expenditures in 2022, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 68,607 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.