Iowa Tourism Award_Convention and Visitors BureauFor Immediate Release
October 17, 2013
DUBUQUE AWARDED FOR OUTSTANDING PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL &
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD AT THE IOWA TOURISM CONFERENCE
Waterloo, Iowa 1 On Thursday evening at the annual Iowa Tourism Conference, held
October 16 -18, 2013 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa,
Dubuque was awarded for Outstanding Promotional Material for the 2013 Dubuque
Area Visitor's Guide by the State Tourism Office.
The goal of the annual Visitors Guide is to offer visitors an impactful repository of
information while providing readers stunning visuals, insider information, bold
descriptions, an easy to follow format and an open invitation to see Dubuque, no matter
their reason or season. In 2013, the Dubuque Area Convention & Visitors Bureau met
this goal by providing bright and inviting photographs of the community to the viewer,
detailed maps for ease of travel throughout the community, a list of affordable ways to
tour Dubuque, highlights of signature events, places to enjoy shopping and unique
dining opportunities, detailed descriptions of attractions and much more.
Dubuque was also nominated and awarded the People's Choice Award for the What
Women Want: Dubuque Style Event held annually in April since 2012. The goal of the
event is to provide visitors an opportunity to visit Dubuque for the weekend while
attending a one day, fun filled event with high energy entertainment while also
showcasing the community and all it has to offer. Attendees of the conference were
asked to submit votes for a variety of businesses and categories. The National
Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium received the People's Choice Award in 2011.
"We are very proud of our community and what we have been able to accomplish as an
industry. The 2013 Visitors Guide and unique events like What Women Want provide
us with a venue to tell Dubuque's story. We are proud to be recognized by our peers in
the travel industry for our efforts and excited to be honored with these accolades," said
Keith Rahe, President & CEO.
The Dubuque Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with partners in the travel
industry, were also awarded grants during the awards ceremony from the State Tourism
office. Other Dubuque area recipients included:
Dubuque Arboretum
Dubuque County Historical Society
Grand Opera House
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Of the total $185,000 awarded throughout the state, $17,540 was awarded to
businesses in the Dubuque area.
The Dubuque area travel industry has a strong economic impact to the community with
over $320 million in travel related expenditures annually. This number, as figured by the
Iowa Tourism Office each year in an annual research survey, has seen a significant
increase in recent years.
In addition to the awards program, the annual Iowa Tourism conference features
nationally -known speakers, keynote general sessions, break -outs, networking
receptions, silent auction and great educational sessions.
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For more information:
Keith Rahe, President & CEO - Dubuque Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
krahe @traveldubuque.com 1 563.690.9206
Taylor Kellogg, Director of Marketing - Dubuque Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
tkellogg @traveldubuque.com 1 563.580.6819