Elk Horn Danish Windmill

Elk Horn Danish Windmill

Officials involved in the tourism industry across the state have been meeting this week in Council Bluffs. Iowa Tourism Office spokesperson Jessica O’Riley says the annual conference included an awards ceremony last night and the presentation of the “Outstanding Attraction” awards.

The winner in the metro category is the NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, while the rural award-winner is the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn. All nominations for the awards are reviewed and scored by industry members. Awards to both metro and rural areas were made in twelve categories, including “Outstanding Event.”

The Iowa Craft Beer Festival in Des Moines and the Grinnell Games claimed Outstanding Event honors. Long-time Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce leader Tom Kuhlman was also honored at the event with the “Hall of Fame Individual Tourism Leadership” award.

“He is retiring and he sure has been a great supporter of the Iowa Great Lakes area,” O’Riley said. “He was involved in their Winter Games and getting the Queen II (excursion boat) to town. Almost everything that’s related to tourism in the Okoboji area, Tom had a hand in.”

The Hotel Pattee in Perry was recognized with the “Outstanding Lodging” award. “You know, it’s been opened and closed…and the new owners have done a fantastic job reopening that hotel,” O’Riley said. According to the Iowa Tourism Office, tourism in the state generates more than $7.75 billion in expenditures, employs 65,400 people statewide, and generates nearly $354 million in state taxes.

2014 Iowa Tourism Award recipients:
Outstanding Attraction
NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids (Metro)
Danish Windmill, Elk Horn (Rural)
Outstanding Collaboration
WATTA WAY Tours, Council Bluffs (Metro)
Grinnell Visitors Bureau and Grinnell Hotel-Motel Tax Committee, Grinnell (Rural)

Outstanding Community
Cedar Falls (Metro)
Le Mars (Rural)
Outstanding Dining
The Prairie Canary, Grinnell (Rural)
Outstanding Event
Iowa Craft Brew Festival, Des Moines (Metro)
Grinnell Games, Grinnell (Rural)
Outstanding Lodging
Hotel Pattee, Perry (Rural)

Outstanding New Event
BACooN Ride, Waukee (Metro)
Field of Dreams 25th Anniversary, Dyersville (Rural)
Outstanding Niche Marketing Initiative
City of Ottumwa / Wapello County (Metro)
Living Loess, western Iowa (Rural)
Outstanding Promotion Material
Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Des Moines (Metro)
Perry Area Chamber of Commerce (Rural)
Outstanding Retail
Jaarsma Bakery, Pella (Metro)

Outstanding Social Media
Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Des Moines (Metro)
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau (Rural)
Outstanding Website
Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau (Metro)
Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce (Rural)
Hall of Fame Individual Tourism Leadership
Tom Kuhlman, Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Okoboji
Hall of Fame Community Tourism Leadership
Cedar Falls
People’s Choice Award:
Iowa Great Lakes Region