traveler the THE INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER FROM TRAVEL DUBUQUE Summer
We love Dubuque. It’s a place that inspires us to come to work every day. The Travel Dubuque team is responsible for spreading the word on all the fantastic things to see and do, and we take that responsibility seriously. Know what else we take seriously? People’s visit to Dubuque. That’s why we consider ourselves their guide and host while they are #WhereIowaStarted. CONTACT US 280 Main Street Dubuque, IA 800.798.884452001 KEITH RAHE President & CEO krahe@traveldubuque.com SARA HANTEN Vice President of Operations shanten@traveldubuque.com JULIE KRONLAGE Vice President of Sales jkronlage@traveldubuque.com TYLER DAUGHERTY Vice President of Community Engagement tdaugherty@traveldubuque.com TAYLOR KELLOGG Vice President of Marketing tkellogg@traveldubuque.com BECKY CARKEEK Sales Manager bcarkeek@traveldubuque.com MICHELLE RAHE Director of Guest Services welcomectr@traveldubuque.com WILLIE TIGGES Content Marketing Manager wtigges@traveldubuque.com KAREN LYNESS Welcome Center JOAN FROMMELT Welcome Center MARV MAIERS Brochure Distribution VICKI MAIERS Brochure Distribution ROBIN NAUMANN Welcome Center FOLLOW US Keep up to date with Travel Dubuque by following along on Facebook & Instagram and tag us @traveldubuque or use #WhereIowaStarted TRAVELER - THE SUMMER EDITION 2
A NOTE FROM Keith Rahe It’s hard to believe we are already into the third quarter of 2022. In these past few months, many events have been held with even more on the horizon.
Partners in the travel industry have hosted many terrific events, including Dubuque Fest, Taste of Summer, Dubuque County Fair, and much more. If that wasn’t enough, many events are planned in the coming months, including the new Bownanza on the Mountain at Sundown and the continuation of Dubuque favorites like Farmer’s Market and Millwork Night Market. Spring and summer bring an increase in events and foot traffic to our area, but most importantly, it brings out the magic of travel with opportunities to create lifelong memories around every corner.
Notably, Travel Dubuque has welcomed a record number of riverboats this season with the addition of ribbon cuttings to celebrate their arrival. In a few short weeks, we will hold the inaugural docking of Viking Mississippi. Our county has hosted the second MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, along with the supporting event, Beyond the Game. Both were successful and lived up to, if not exceeded, the expectations set by year one.
SINCERELY, Keith Rahe President & CEO TRAVEL DUBUQUE
FROM TRAVEL DUBUQUE3
TEAM Get to know the staff of Travel Dubuque as we highlight staff members each issue. meet the TRAVELER - THE SUMMER EDITION 4
Tell us about yourself: I’m a born and raised Dubuquer and would describe myself as a creative. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved creating things and expressing my creativity in any way I can. Early on, I picked up photography & video and later ended up going to school for graphic design. I now have a passion for pursuing the creative side of life each and every day in the work I do.
What is your favorite thing about Dubuque: The community. It’s a place where new ideas can grow. There’s constantly new businesses, events, and more popping up all over the place keeping things exciting.
What is something you bring to the team at Travel Dubuque: I feel that I bring some new creative fuel and energy to the team. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas and ways to show people the city that I love like they’ve never seen it before. It’s exciting to be a part of a team where I can share my ideas and help see them through to fruition.
What is your favorite thing about Dubuque: The unlimited opportunities in the great outdoors & food! I will never say no to a lunch invite.
TEAM FEATURE
SALES MANAGER
Tell us about yourself: I was born in Dubuque and never left! I have five siblings and I am the baby. I’m a graduate of Dubuque schooling, including Holy Ghost, Wahlert, NICC, and University of Dubuque! My husband and I have two boys, and two dogs - all of them raised on Dolly Parton and Diet Coke!
CONTENT MARKETING MANAGER
Describe your job in three words: Fresh, vibrant, & exciting!”
FROM TRAVEL DUBUQUE5
What is something you bring to the team at Travel Dubuque: My teamwork! Describe your job in three words: Dedication. FUN. Unique!
TEAM FEATURE
CarkeekBecky
TiggesWillie
TRAVELER - THE SUMMER EDITION 6
PORT
Learn more online at traveldubuque.com/riverboats Featured Story TAKE A LOOK: Check out the Travel Dubuque on TikTok for a recap of the ribbon cuttings held to date! FROM TRAVEL DUBUQUE7
Upcoming
The riverfront has been bustling with traffic from riverboat stops in our community. Travel Dubuque, along with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, has welcomed each of the large excursion riverboats this summer as they make their first stop in Dubuque. Every year, the riverboats that make port in Dubuque bring thousands of visitors from across the world! During their time here, they visit local attractions, shops, and sites bringing with them economic impact to our area. Riverboat Ribbon Cuttings OF DUBUQUE AMERICAN TRUST RIVERS EDGE PLAZA
Friday, August 26 American Queen 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 31 Viking Mississippi 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 27 American Symphony 7:30 a.m.
SeasonRiverboat
MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAFFIC IS BUSTLING
Marketing Updates UPLOAD AN EVENT Upload your events to the Telegraph Herald calendar of events to sync to the Travel Dubuque online events calendar. LISTINGS your TravelDubuque.com listing.
NEWLY RELEASED Visitors can now take a walk through the vibrant landscape of Iowa’s oldest community while participating in the Street Art Trail. They can check in to each mural or break them apart into one of eight challenges to work towards the goal of visiting them all. For each challenge completed, participants will receive a collectible vinyl sticker (approximately 2” in size.) Check in to every location and they will receive a 20 oz. aluminum water bottle with twist cap and carabiner, as well as the stickers for each of the 8 challenges. This trail features a mobile website, map, and soon-to-be mural signage. Since its release in July, there have been nearly 500 check-ins to murals coming from participants in 8 different states. Thank you to the City of Dubuque for awarding a Special Projects Grant to accomplish this project.
Street Art Trail
Advertising Open FOR 2023 TRAVEL GUIDE
TRAVELER - THE SUMMER EDITION 8
UPDATE
Update
Travel Dubuque’s annual Travel Guide is the travel resource for visitors coming to the Dubuque area. 70,000 copies will be distributed throughout Iowa, the Midwest, Welcome Centers, lodging facilities, attractions, area universities, colleges, and more. Advertising is now open and closes on October 3, 2022. Learn more.
Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards September 13-15, 2022
CONVENTIONS RECAP
FUN AT THE FIELD OF DREAMS
What’s Happening
IOWA ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONFERENCE June 14-16, 2022, saw over 600 attendees throughout Dubuque for the annual Iowa Association of Business & Industry Conference. Special thank you to Jack Hasken, of Jackson Manufacturing in Maquoketa, IA, for working hard along with Travel Dubuque to bring this conference to the community!
Did you know that for every motor coach that works with Travel Dubuque, we provide complimentary caramels made by the nuns at Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey! It’s the little things that keep bringing group tours back to the community.
INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE CONGRESS
Iowa Association of Nutrition and Dietetics November 3-4, 2022
The International Snowmobile Congress brought over 400 people from the United States and Canada into town June 8-12, 2022. Check out the map to the right to see where they all came from!
Sales Updates FROM TRAVEL DUBUQUE9
ISN’T IT SWEET
Number of caramels given to groups attendees April - June: 1,676
2 NEW GROUP TOUR STOPS Irish Meadows Alpaca Farm, a new group tour stop, welcomed its 1st motorcoach in June. Also new to the group tour line-up is Berning Acres, a family-owned farm to get a unique behind-the-scenes experience of reallife on a 21st-century dairy farm.
FIRST TIME For the first time in 15 years, S&S Travel of Kendalville, IN was able to bring 2 motor coaches, 84 people total, on tour! We were excited and honored that Dubuque was their destination of choice, in partnership with our friends at the Celebration Belle.
A group of veterans from St. Louis, MO experienced the magic at the Field of Dreams along with exploration of Dubuque County during their visit in early June 2022.
Iowa Rural Water Association Fall Conference October 4-5, 2022 Growing Sustainable Communities Conference October 17-18, 2022
VINTAGE TORQUE FEST
APRIL 15-17, 2022
APRIL 30-MAY 1, 2021
Film showings kicked off in Galena April 8 and 9 with all Dubuque events starting Sunday, April 18, throughout the community. 2022 saw 851 film submissions representing 54 countries. Of those 851 submissions, only 131 were selected for viewing. Over 235 filmmakers attended the festival and they represented 17 states and 7 foreign counties. Over 155 film showings were available throughout the week with Five Flags, Grand Harbor Resort, Holiday Inn, Hotel Julien Dubuque, National Mississippi River Museum, and Phoenix Theaters recognized as official viewing venues. Film/event attendance was calculated at 5,608 for the week. Ticket sales came from 155 unique communities.
70 unique handlers competed this year. Handers traveled from 18 different states, including as far west as CA and WA and as far east as New York. This is an increase from 2021 in which 66 unique handlers competed.
2022 marked the 10th year for Vintage Torque Fest in Dubuque. All event activities took place at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday and drew over 3,500 people. Weather was a concern all weekend, but attendees still traveled from all parts of Iowa, AZ, KS, KY, MI, ND, OH, PA, SD, and TX, just to name a few. Over 1,000 vehicles were registered for the event, with vehicle owners traveling from across the county to showcase their hotrods and motorcycles. Vintage Torque Fest is a fundraiser designed to help families that have children with congenital heart defects. In 2022, VTF was able to donate $20,000 to two separate families who have children on the heart transplant list.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER CLASSIC JUNE 4-5, 2022
The Mississippi River Classic is a youth AAU basketball tourney held throughout the Dubuque area. 2022 marked the 12th year in DBQ and the 5th year as a USA Basketball Qualifier. 110 teams competed in 2022 with teams traveling across the Midwest. Hotel availability limited the number of teams this year with hotels also filling up because of baseball tournaments in Dyersville and the surrounding areas. The MRC is operated by FutureStrs and they host three additional tournaments for the Dubuque area in October, December, and March.
JULIEN DUBUQUE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WHAT’S TAKING PLACE IN Q3: Mid-America Hog Rally July 21-23, 2022 Beyond The Game & MLB at Field of Dreams Movie Site August 10-12, 2022 Dubuque Dragon Boat Races September 9-11, 2022 Bownanza On The Mountain September 23-24, 2022 2022 ALL-STAR BALLPARK HEAVEN TOURNAMENT RECAP: Saturday, 5/28 - Monday, 5/30 70 teams Friday, 6/3 - Sunday, 6/5 71 teams Friday, 6/10 - Sunday, 6/12 31 teams Thursday, 6/16 - Sunday, 6/19 28 teams Friday, 6/24 - Sunday, 6/26 35 teams What’s Happened DUELING DOG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sports & Events Updates TRAVELER - THE SUMMER EDITION 10
APRIL 20-24, 2022
Q2 by Numbersthe MARKETING 54,642 online sessions to traveldubuque.com 14,528 in our audience across social EVENTS 14,325 event-related guests $1.7 million in estimated economic impact MEETINGS & GROUPS 1 Conventions Booked 3 Conventions In Process 4 Conventions Lost WELCOME CENTER 1,971 Visitors in the Welcome Center 577 Travel Guides Mailed We had visitors from 42 states and nine foreign countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, England, Germany, Japan, and Sweden. CHRIS WEIGEL INTERSTATE AERIAL FROM TRAVEL DUBUQUE11
traveler the