Convention & Visitors Bureau Report
Quarterly Report
Q22006
CONVENTION III VISITORS BURE
I\REA CIP\,~lB[R OF COMMERCE
Cl):-;VENTlt)N t'\ VISITORS fll:REAlJ
Memo
To: Roy Buol I Mayor
City Council Members
Mike Van Milligen I City Manager
Wayne Demmer I Chair
Dubuque County Supervisors
Mary Ann Specht I Administrative Assistant
Denise Dolan I Dubuque County Auditor
Fr: Jim Normandin I Convention & Visitors Bureau Board Chairman
Sue Czeshinski I Convention & Visitors Bureau Director
Re: Convention and Visitors Bureau I Quarterly Report
Dt: 11 July 2006
Regionalized Tourism/Marketing
The Convention and Visitors Bureau has been working with the Galena Chamber and the
Platteville Chamber to put a summer radio campaign together. The focus of the promotion
will be to promote a trip on a tank of gas and our proximity to 19 million residents that are
within 150 - 200 miles of this area. This is one of the first significant regional tourism
campaigns to be coordinated in many years in the tri-states.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau has sent two of the four direct mail campaign
postcards promoting package options for Dubuque. The campaign is working well and is
much easier for our members to manage. We received a dramatic response to this
campaign from our members.
Ad placements have been made with the Quad Cities in the Chicago Suburban Journal and
Topics newspaper and the Des Moines Register. Dubuque CVB has seen a dramatic increase
in participation in these coop options and members have been giving our Marketing
Committee very positive feedback about these ad placements and their results. The
America's River radio, outdoor and print campaign has also generated a good response.
The CVB has tracked 6,204 responses and added leads to our direct mail database for
future promotions.
Sue Czeshinski was elected to the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association's Board of Directors as
President elect at the July 12th annual meeting. She was also appointed by the Eastern
Iowa Tourism's Executive Committee to serve as a legislative liaison and will serve on the
Travel Federation Board for the State of Iowa. The Travel Federation serves as an
advocate for tourism related legislation at the state and federal level.
Page 1
Sue is also serving on the State Planning committee for the first ever Travel Industry
Summit to be held in Washington DC this September.
Awareness Development
The CNN coverage of the Iowa Winter Games in Dubuque ran on Sunday, July 18th during
the 6-7pm newscast.
Dubuque CVB hosted a freelance writer on June 9_11th. The writer will be doing several
stories on Dubuque including an outdoor piece and a feature for Midwest Living Magazine.
Dubuque will be featured on ESPN as a result of the coverage generated from Stihl
Timbersports at the America's River Festival.
Dubuque was also featured in the May/June edition of AAA Living, summer 2006 issue of
the Inn Traveler ft on the Iowa City Press Citizen website.
Convention Marketing
The Group Sales Committee hosted a fam tour in May to promote Dubuque to meeting
planners from Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. There were nine attendees and each group is
interested in doing some type of meeting or event in Dubuque in coming years.
The sales staff had a busy year during the past fiscal year. Staff made over 4,000 sales
calls, hosted over 75 site tours or meetings with meeting planners to discuss possible
meetings in Dubuque and assisted in securing over 100 groups into Dubuque for 2006, 2007,
and 2008.
Regional Sales Manager, Shane Devine, resigned his position several weeks ago to work for
Kendall Hunt Publishing. Shane did a great job of securing many regional and national
groups for Dubuque while with the CVB. Chad Degenhardt has been hired to replace Shane
and began on July 10th.
Sales Staff will be coordinating a 3 day sales blitz in August in Des Moines to call on
Corporate and Association planners. Tourism members will be attending with staff on pre
scheduled appointments.
Sales Manager, Brendan Houlihan will be working with the Iowa Meetings Association to
coordinate a sales blitz into Chicago and will be attending the blitz in September.
Group Tour Marketing
The Mississippi Queen, Twilight River Cruises, Celebration Belle, and the now, the Julia
Belle Swain will be bringing mid-week groups to Dubuque this summer. The Julia Belle
Swain will make its first trip to Dubuque July 18.20.
Hospitality Training
The CVB has been working with NICC to offer the Team Dubuque front line training to
hotels, attractions, and other service related businesses. Sessions have been offered
during June and July by industry interest and will continue to be offered based on member
requests. The Chamber Welcome Center staff will be taking part in the training in July.
CVB and NICC staff are working on the development of an on line newsletter and tool kit
for managers to use as another follow up training resource. This information will
correspond to the materials provided in the Disney and Team Dubuque Training sessions.
Page 2
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Dubuque, Iowa
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by Judy Morris
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J he historic Mississippi river town of Dubuque, a
Smithsonian "secret treasure," is home to Amy
Boynton's unique and elegant Mandolin Inn. The
inn is named for the Tiffany leaded, stained-glass window at
the foot of the main staircase showing SI. Cecilia, patron
saint of musicians, singers and poets, holding a mandolin.
The home contains other Edwardian era leaded-glass
masterpieces designed by the Scottish artist, Charles Renee
Macintosh. Nicholas Schrup, banker, insurance magnate
and former senator, built the home in 1908 and had the
"Rose" and "Lily" windows commissioned in honor of his
two daughters, Rosalyn and Lily.
Swiss architect Fridolin Heer designed the home where
the Schrup family lived from 1908 until 1950, when the
heirs gave it to the Catholic Archdiocese. It served as the
convent for the teaching Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary
until 1972 when it became a halfway home for juvenile
offenders. From J 976 to 1986, a law firm housed its prac-
tice on the first floor with the second floor converted into
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54 I Arrington's Inn Traveler
apartments. The last metamorphosis was as a fraternity
house, until the first B&B owner bought it in 1988, and
restored much of the interior of the home. The second
owner was, in Amy's words, "a fabulous decorator and dec-
orated it in the architecturally correct period." Amy is for-
ever grateful, as this was just one of the many features that
attracted her to the inn.
In a "previous life" Amy traveled the world over for a
"major corporation." She had a Sabbatical every ten years
and took advantage of one such Sabbatical to "pursue [her]
artistic side." During this process, she stopped to watch the
"Bob Newhart Show," and switched her dream to innkeep-
ing. When it was time to retire from corporate life, she care-
fully researched both location (between Chicago and
Madison, Wis. where her parents lived) and her own criteria
(a historic inn that had been a B&B for at least five years
and was near the water) then sent out 900 letters to inns that
qualified. She received 200 responses back. One of the
other innkeepers had passed her letter on to "an inn in
Dubuque." It was instant chemistry, and Amy has been the
proud innkeeper of the Mandolin Inn for eight years.
She finds time to continue her textile art as well- dying
and spinning wool and designing and knitting sweaters. The
yam, "Two Sweet Cats," is available at the inn as well as
sweatshirts, T-shirts with line drawings of the inn, note cards
with a local artist's line drawing of the "Turrets of
Dubuque" and a selection of wines from Iowa vineyards.
Amy found that her greatest fear-maintaining the
English cottage garden that the previous owner, a master
gardener. had established-was not only unfounded, but that
she actually "found outside gardening to be quite easy" and
has added a pond and bridge to the gardens. A relaxing treat
is to sit on the spacious front porch, "drink lemonade and
watch the world go by." Amy's favorite holiday is Labor
Day, when the world passes by the Mandolin Inn in the form
of Dubuque's Labor Day Parade, an event that could be
straight out of "The Music Man."
After your welcome drink upon arrival, be prepared for
elegant and comfortable rooms with equally comfortable
bathrooms. Amy loves all eight rooms but confides that her
personal favorite is the Amanda room. The former second
floor sitting room features a huge bay window overlooking
the side garden, which gives it a soothing feeling. The gold
oak burled wood of the furniture is warm and inviting. One
finds matching bedside tables, a dressing table that is
uniquely mirrored and a queen-sized bed with a cream-col-
ored matalesse bedspread. Warm oak woodwork offsets the
moss green carpet and compliments the wallpaper in both
striped and floral patterns of moss green and salmon. The
bathroom features the "Water Lily" leaded glass window.
The Solarium Room is like being in a very light, airy
tree house. It is the former second floor greenhouse and is
furnished in white wicker and wrought iron. The wallpaper
is of a green vines pattern combined with white wainscoting.
The queen-sized bed is accessorized in the floral theme. A
small, private deck with a view of the Bluff adds to the
charm of this room. In the bath is a 3/4 sized antique claw-
foot tub with a shower.
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In the turret of the home is the Holly Marie
Room, the original master bedroom. It is the "most
luxurious" of the rooms and is frequently requested
for honeymoons and anniversaries. A rosewood
armoire, dressing table, dresser and king-sized bed,
as well as antique wedding photos (including
Amy's own grandparents) add to the charm of this
romantic room. It features a fainting couch and an
original antique green slipper chair.
All rooms feature: bathrobes, air conditioning,
cable TV, wireless Internet, glycerin scented soaps
and shampoo. Early morning coffee, tea or decaf is
available.
A mouthwatering breakfast awaits you in what
Amy calls "the prelliest room in the house," the
dining room. An oil painting of a fantasy forest
scene encompasses the entire room. An elegant
white oak sideboard II feet tall and II feet long
provides a gracious starting point for breakfast.
You might be served such succulent treats as zuc-
chini and Roman tomato quiche, curried sausage,
and chocolate and cherry scones all accompanied
by fresh fruit in season and hot coffee or tea.
Assorted homemade breads and muffins are avail-
able as well.
Amy provides a history and tour of the house
for her guests. She states that her purpose for being
an innkeeper is "to provide my guests with a very
relaxing and comfortable stay." When she took
over the inn, she added central air conditioning,
restored the entire exterior, the green clay tile roof,
all of the bricks and mortar on the house and then
replaced the hand-carved limestone between the
two front staircases. She recently made sure that all
of her guests have perfect accommodations by
making a first floor room into a luxurious, ADA
compliant room as she has done in the owner's
quarters that she wants ready "just in case."
Whether for a honeymoon, anniversary, family
reunion, girls' weekend away, business retreat or a
sight-seeing trip to historic Dubuque, Amy com-
bines just the right amount of both luxury and his-
toric charm to keep her guests coming back to the
one-of-a kind Mandolin Inn. .
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The Mandolin Inn
(563) 556-0069 or (800) 524-7996
www.mandolininn.com
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roll i ng on
the river
A revitalized Dubuque celebrates its connection
to the Mississippi River. -By Lori Erickson
Of all the cities and [Owns that line the Mississippi
River, few are as closely tied to the mighty waterway as
Dubuque. The bonds between the river and city are stronger
than ever before thanks to a dramatic revitalization of
Dubuque's harbor. An investment of nearly $200 million has
transformed what was once a fading industrial area into the
vital heart of the city and an international destination for
those intrigued by the wonders of the Mississippi.
24 MA may-june 2006
-
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(This page, clockwise
from left) Mississippi
River Walk., rit'er
otter, National Missis-
sippi River Museum and
Aquarium; (next page)
a riverfront festil'al
at the aquarium.
A NEW RIVERFRONT
The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
is the crown jewel of the new riverfront. This multibuilding
complex explores the cultural and natural history of
the nation's most famous waterway. An affiliate of the
Smithsonian Institution, the museum is the river's premier
interpretive center. Inside are freshwater aquariums filled
with the river's creatures, from alligators and snapping
turrles to huge catfish, plus an outdoor display with
gam~oling river otters. Other areas allow you to "pilot" a
steamboat, board a dredge boat the size of a football field,
touch stingrays from the Gulf of Mexico and delve into the
myriad ways in which the river's fascinating history has
shaped rhe nation.
"Dubuque has turned a new page in its histo:ry," says
Dubuque native Kristin Woodward. "After growing up here,
I left for a decade and then moved back to the city in 1995.
I've been amazed at the changes that have happened since
then. The revitalization of the riverfront has been the
centerpiece of our renewal, but there arc exciting things
happening in many places throughout the community.
Dubuque's sense of pride is growing
each year."
A second anchor of the revitalized
riverfront is the Grand Harbor Resort
and Waterpark. The 194-room resort
overlooks the river and includes a
25,OOO-square-foot indoor warer park
with a host ofMississippi-themed
slides and structures. An adjacent
outdoor amphitheater features live
entertainment during the warm
months, while the city's riverwalk
entices you to stroll the banks of
the Mississippi.
After exploring the harbor area,
head out onto the river. Two locally
based sightseeing boats tour its
broad channel: the paddtewheelet
Spi1-it of Dubuque and the modern yacht
Miss Dubuque. On board, you can
marvel at the river's thickly wooded
banks and enjoy unobstructed views of
the city itself, which is built
on steep bluffs that rise above the
water. On top of the ridge stands
a parade of mansions built in the
19th century by the city's affluent
citizens, a testimony to the wealth
chat Oowed into Dubuque during its
earliest years.
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SPOTLIGHT DUBUQUE, IOWA
A wealthy businessmen,].K. Graves, was responsible for
building one of Dubuque's most beloved landmarks, the
Fenelon Place Elevator, in 1882. Described as the "world's
steepest, shortest railway," the elevator connects downtown
Dubuque with the residential neighborhoods at the top of
the bluff. For many years the cable car ride has been a
popular attraction.
Nearby, you can explore Cable Car Square, a collection of
retail outlets housed in historic homes. Among the treasures
to be found here are English imports in the Yorkshire Rose
shop, eclectic home furnishings at Maggie Kelly's, and works
by local and regional artists at Outside the Lines Gallery.
"Dubuque has undergone a transformation during the
past 10 years," says Liz Robertson, a
potter whose works are on display at
Outside the Lines. "As an artist, I'm
very happy that part of that transfor-
mation has been a growing recognition
of how valuable the creative element is
to our community. Dubuque's support
for the arts is a big part of the revital-
ization here."
rockin' on the river
AMERICA'S RIVER FESTIVAL
A great time to explore Dubuque is
June 9- 11, when the ciry hosts Amer-
ica's River Festival. The harbor area
is filled with events and attractions,
including regional and national
musical acts, such as the Charlie
Daniels Band and Styx; a national
lumberjack competition; a bass
fishing tournament; and a hoc air
balloon gathering. The festival is an
exuberant celebration of the Missis-
sippi given by the people who love it.
Call 800-798-8844 for information.
!
A LOVE OF HISTORY
In 1788, the river brought French-
Canadian fur trader Julien Dubuque
to the area. The entrepreneur gave his
name to what would become the center
of a thriving lead-mining region.
Within the next century, the river
brought waves of immigrants who
powered Dubuque's boar building,
lumber, shipping and meatpacking
industries. Later, the Mississippi came
to dominate the city in new ways-as
a natural icon, a recreational play-
ground, and a serene and beautiful
backdrop to the constant hum oflife
on shore.
Much of Dubuque's charm lies in the
historic homes and buildings that line
its steep streets. While many cities saw
their historic districts crumble under
AAALiving.com 25
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SPOTLIGHT DUBUQUE, IOWA
the wrecking ball in the urban-renewal excesses ofehe 19705)
Dubuque was beginning a decades.long campaign [0 rescore
its historic structures.
The downtown includes several impressive renovations,
including the 1910 Five Flags Theater (modeled after the
great music halls of Paris) and the Grand Opera House,
a century.old stage where Ethel Barrymore and Sarah
Bernhardt once performed. Up the hill, you can tour the
city cruises
Board the Spirit of Dubuque and enjoy a night out on the
river. Reservations are required. For more information,
call 563-583-8093.
MOTHER'S DAY
May 14. Treat mom to a baked ham and chicken luncheon
on her special holiday.
A GRAND NIGHT FOR SWINGING
June 2. Take a cruise with the Friends ofrhe Grand Opera
House and The Hunter Fuerste Swing Band.
BEST OF BROADWAY DINNER CRUISE
June 23. Enjoy a prime rib and chicken dinner accompanied
by a lively song-and-dance medley of favorite Broadway tunes.
26 AAA may-june 2006
..
An aerial view
of Dubuque.
Matthias Ham House, home to an early Dubuque industri.
alist and now a museum that provides a fascinating windo..
into the city's past.
A number of the city's grand mansions also have been
turned into charming lodging establishments, another
signature attraction of Dubuque. Among the finest is the
Captain Merry Guest House, built just across the river in
East Dubuque, Illinois, in the 1850s by a ferry boat opcratol
The exquisitely restored Italianate mansion is home to five
luxurious guest suites, a gourmet restaurant and a day spa.
On top is the cupola from which Captain Merry's wife used
to watch her husband work-a spot that still offers a
panoramic view of Dubuque, the wide river channel and thl
bluffs rising in the distance.
The airy perch is a good SpOt to reflect on the unique
character of this river city. From its earliest days as an
isolated froncier port to its modern incarnation as a thrivif1
tourism destination, Dubuque's character is intricately tied
to the river that gave it birth. Today, as never before, that til
is celebrated and cherished. @
Lori Erickson, a freelance writer from Iowa City. Iowa, i'l a recenl
winner of a MarCom Crerltive Award.
"'~.your program is the absolute best. bar
none. I am shocked at how quickly Ileam..
Michael Murphy - Texas, USA
"Stupendous-the juxtaposition of text
sound and picture was masterful. The
quality of both sound and graphics was
firstrate..
- Tbe Boston Globe
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PORT OF DUBUQUE. IOWA
(563) 557-9545
(800) 226-3369
www.rivermuseum.com
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PORT OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
(563) 557-9545 I (800) 226-3369
www.rivermuseum.com
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM
& AQUARIUM
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DISCOVER IOWA ADVENTURES.
ACCOMMODATIONS. EVENTS
AND ROADWAYS
BY CALLING BOO-345-IOWA. EXT. 360.
FOR A FREE TRAVEL GUIDE.
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IOWA
ConVf!l1tion & Visitors BufF.SU
800-82-RIVER
W'I+'I1I.visitburlin oniowa.com
,.;t
The Hawkeye State's landscape morphs from majestic bluffs
in the northeast to rich central farmland to western Iowa's
windswept loess Hills. Des Moines, the vibrant capital city, offers
big-city attractions while still celebrating its agricultural roots.
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UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY
EDITORS'
CHOICE
In Iowa's northeastern corner, the Mississippi River winds along soaring
limestone bluffs left untouched by ancient glaciers. Meander the Great
River Road to explore historic towns and hillside parks. At Pikes Peak
State Park, an expansive vista of islands and wooded cliffs unfolds from the
highest point along the Mississippi (above). Upriver, Efflgy Mounds National
Monument contains some 200 Known Native American burial mounds
created from 500 B.C. to 1300 A.D. Nearby McGregor draws houseboating
enthusiasts as well as antiques hunters who shop along the old-time Main
Street. Iowa Tourism Office (800/345-4692; www.traveliowa.com).
:1
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IOWA
The
Hawkeye
State
TOP DESTINATIONS: The Amana Colonies in east-central Iowa, seven villages
with old-time crafts, specialty shops and German restaurants (800/579-2294;
wvwv.amanacolonies.com). Historic Dubuque, with the National Mississippi
River Museum and Aquarium (800/798-8844; wvwv.traveldubuque.com). Living
History Farms in suburban Des Moines, a S50-acre working agricultural museum
with a re-created 1875 town (515/278-5286; wvwv.livinghistoryfarms.org).
Population 2.9 million
,.Capital and Largest City
Des Moines, population 198,682
I (8001451-2625; www.
!,seedesmoines.com).
More Information Iowa
Tourism Office (800/345-4692;
I \/WVW.traveliowa.com).
:Outdoor Fun Iowa Great
'lakes A cluster of glacier-carved
Illakes in northwestern Iowa,
for swimming, fishing and
boating. Also, bicycling, hiking,
I,golllng and an old-fashioned
'amusement park in this popular
I vacation spot (800/270-2574;
\IoNVVV. vacationokoboji.com),
/:sceniC Drive Loess Hills
'Scenic 8yway Following the
Missouri River in western Iowa,
I a nO-mile route through the
I ancient, windblown hills. With
preserved prairie, scenic overlooks
I. ~ and wildlife refuges. For route
information: IN\NIN.byvvays.org.
Small-Town Getaway
Villages of Van Buren Small
;riverfront towns a few miles
apart along the Des Moines River
in southeastern Iowa. With shops
,'in vintage buildings and a nearby
state park (800/868-7822; www.
/'viUagesofvanburen.com).
. - --- -T -- -
what's new I IOWA TAKES PRIDE IN A TRADITION of educational
achievement. The Iowa Hall of Pride in downtown Des Moines showcases high schoolers'
accomplishments in athletics, music, broadcasting and debate in a 26,OOO-square-foot facility
with information kiosks, interactive games and computerized displays. You can play virtual golf,
referee a wrestling match or provide commentary for a sports broadcast. Admission charged
(515/280-8969; www.iowahallofpride.com). The $217 million Iowa Events Center, with an arena
and exhibition hall, opened last July. The 17,OOO-seat Wells Fargo Arena hosts concerts, sports
and special events (5151564-8000; www.iowaeventscenter.com).
More new attractions in Iowa:
. DONNA REED IOWA HERITAGE
MUSEUM, DENISON Opened in 2004,
a museum dedicated to actress Donna
Reed, who grew up in this western Iowa
town. With original scripts, costumes,
letters, movie posters and awards
(7121263-3334; www.donnareed.org).
· ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER,
MUSCATINE Opened in 2005, with
exhibits about the natural resources
of southeastern Iowa's Mississippi
River Valley (563/264-5922; www.
rneetmuscatine.com).
· OLD CAPITOL MUSEUM, IOWA CITY
Severely damaged by fire in 200 I
and expected to reopen this summer.
Featuring the original state offices, district
courtroom and legislative chambers
preserved in their I 850s appearance (319/
335-0548; www.uiowa.edul_oldcap).
neaten ~d.h
PERRY-Historic preservation has revived
this town of 7,300 in central Iowa (40 miles
northwest of Des Moines). A museum
campus of restored vintage buildings,
called Hometown Peny, Iowa, chronicles
the contributions small Midwestern towns
have made to the countty, fOCUSing on the
immigrant experience (5151465-2518; www.
hometownpenyiowa.com). The elegant
Hotel Pattee, with a Colonial Revival
exterior and Arts and Crafts-style interior,
contains 40 individually decorated rooms.
You can take a guided tour to learn about
the hotel's architecture and art collection
(888/424-4268; www.hotelpattee.com).
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