22 Apr 2015

Iowa Caucus Consortium Launches Statewide Messaging, Community & Visitor Engagement Plan

By Tiffany Tauscheck
DES MOINES, IA - An Iowa Caucus Consortium has been created to highlight Iowa's first in the nation Caucus status and provide the media, candidates and visitors a meaningful, positive experience while showcasing the state and region. Additionally, the consortium will engage in political dialogue and drive meaningful conversation with residents during the political cycle through hosting Caucus-related events. The consortium is made up of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Economic Development Authority, The Des Moines Register and Drake University in partnership with the Iowa Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Iowa.

To market and support consortium efforts, a new website has been created, IowaCaucus.org, as well as a Twitter account at @IAcaucus2016 using the hashtag #iacaucus.

"The community's collaboration in hosting local, regional, national and international media during the Iowa Caucuses is key," says Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Creating consistent messaging for the region and working together to provide an incredible experience for the media and visitors will help us leverage the opportunity as a marketing tool to strengthen Greater Des Moines as a visitor destination."

The consortium plans to host Caucus-related events including a potential Candidate Series and Issues Forum. Additionally, the consortium will create an advisory committee of engaged local politicos with potential opportunities for young professionals. In 2016, the media filing center will be managed by the Iowa Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Iowa.

"The Iowa Caucuses place our state at the epicenter of the political world and provide us an incredible opportunity to showcase Greater Des Moines to a national and global audience," adds Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. "Through this partnership, we are able to further maximize our regional economic development marketing efforts to promote Central Iowa as a great place to build a business, a career and a future."

"In addition to celebrating agriculture, Iowa's advanced manufacturing, biosciences and financial services are key industries for this national platform," says Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. "As the first state in the nation to host a major electoral event, Iowa is well positioned to capitalize on the opportunity to showcase our state's economic vitality across these multiple industries."

The new website provides local resources like a candidate tracker and voter information. Plus, media resources include credentialing for Caucus events, suggested shoot locations, photo and b-roll requests, pro tips from The Des Moines Register for covering the Iowa Caucuses and late night dining options. Candidate resources include a Caucus events calendar, intern opportunities for Drake University students, restaurants and hotels information.

The 2008 Iowa Caucuses (dual party) brought 2,500 media and $25 million in visitor spending as economic impact to Greater Des Moines. The 2012 Caucuses (single party) brought 1,500 media and $17 million in visitor spending as economic impact to Greater Des Moines.

For more information on the Iowa Caucuses, visit IowaCaucus.org and follow @IAcaucus2016 on Twitter.

03 Jul 2012

Des Moines to Host Thousands of Square Dancers

By Tiffany Tauscheck

Square Dancers Choose Greater Des Moines

DES MOINES, IOWA - The National Square Dance Convention has selected Greater Des Moines as their host city in June 2016. The group will bring approximately 6,000 square dancers to the city for four nights, for an estimated 8,000 room nights.

Representatives from the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau (GDMCVB), Des Moines City Councilman Chris Coleman (Chair of the GDMCVB Board), Global Spectrum staff (Iowa Events Center) and local square dance enthusiasts all traveled to Spokane, WA to make the bid presentation to the site selection committee late last week. A video from Governor Branstad (a former square dancer) also helped lure the group to Greater Des Moines.

"A booking like this is a win for our entire region," said Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the GDMCVB. "This is an upbeat, passionate group that will be highly visible throughout the Metro during their stay here."

Vicki Comegys, Vice President of Sales and Services at the GDMCVB, and Margie Marble, Director of Sales at the GDMCVB began taking reservations for the square dancers Saturday night. "By the time we shut down our booth, we had already received 397 reservations for 2016," said Comegys. "This group couldn't be happier about the site selection committee's choice and we couldn't be happier to welcome them to Greater Des Moines."

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Greater Des Moines as a fun, vibrant and affordable destination statewide, nationally and internationally. Our focus increases visitors to our community through meetings, conventions, sports events, leisure travel, and group tours, thereby contributing to the local economy.

01 May 2012

Promoting Summer Travel to Des Moines

By Tiffany Tauscheck

Des Moines, IA - The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau (GDMCVB) has now launched the annual Summer Ad Campaign, with several new additions this year.

For the first time, the GDMCVB expanded cooperative advertising reach to include Southern Minnesota/Northern Iowa and digital billboards. This has allowed additional Co-op Partners to become involved with the program.

The ads run throughout the summer in the following markets:

  • Omaha/Council Bluffs -April-May 2012

o   TV/Radio/Digital Billboards - April 16-May 27

o   Print insert - Sunday, May 20

  • Central Iowa - June-July 2012

o   TV/Radio/Digital Billboards - June 18-July 22

  • Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa (including entire state line of counties across Northern Iowa and Southern MN - includes towns such as Mankato and Rochester) - June-July 2012

o   TV/Radio/Digital Billboards - June 18-July 22

  • Eastern Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, Quad Cities and Dubuque) - July-August 2012

o   Print inserts - May 20, 2012 in Waterloo and Cedar Falls; May 23, 2012 in Iowa City

o   TV/Digital Billboards - July 16-August 12, 2012

o   Radio - July 23-August 5, 2012

New Co-op Advertising Partners include : Iowa State Fair, Jordan Creek Town Center, Des Moines Arts Festival, 80/35 Music Festival and the National Balloon Classic.

Funding of the Summer Ad Campaign is primarily provided by the GDMCVB which reinvests hotel/motel tax revenues into marketing and advertising initiatives to market Greater Des Moines as a destination. The advertising campaign is able to extend into more markets and for longer periods of time due to the strong support of the following Co-op Ad Partners: Prairie Meadows, Homemakers, Iowa Speedway, Valley West Mall, Des Moines Park and Recreation, Science Center of Iowa, Blank Park Zoo and Adventureland Inn.

To preview the television ads that are airing in Omaha, Council Bluffs and Western Iowa, go to http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4D89F9A080D7F9E5&feature=view_all.  Additional ads featuring other co-op partners will be posted on this link in June.

The ads were created by GDMCVB's new advertising agency, Trilix, with production by Applied Art.

 

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Greater Des Moines as a fun, vibrant and affordable destination statewide, nationally and internationally. Our focus increases visitors to our community through meetings, conventions, sports events, leisure travel, and group tours, thereby contributing to the local economy.

 

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27 Mar 2012

NCAA Women's Basketball Economic Impact

By Tiffany Tauscheck

Greater Des Moines Wins Big with

NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championship

DES MOINES, IA - The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championship has wrapped up in Des Moines, leaving behind an economic impact of $2 million on Greater Des Moines.

"The community-wide support made this event a big win for our region," said Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We put out the call to residents, corporations and visitors to support this sport in our community and the response has been overwhelming."

Hotel staff wore "Welcome to Des Moines" t-shirts and "Welcome NCAA" buttons. Businesses around the metro hung signs in their storefronts and lobbies welcoming NCAA student-athletes, coaches and fans.

"We've heard great feedback from visitors and locals. Hosting NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championship in Greater Des Moines was a slam dunk," said Edwards.

The Des Moines Regional Championship led the other regions in ticket sales on Saturday, with a total of 7,941 tickets sold. Last night, 9,068 tickets were sold. Final ticket numbers from other regions will be available later this week.

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Greater Des Moines as a fun, vibrant and affordable destination statewide, nationally and internationally. Our focus increases visitors to our community through meetings, conventions, sports events, leisure travel, and group tours, thereby contributing to the local economy.

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23 Dec 2011

Caucus Night Viewing Party Set

By Tiffany Tauscheck

Official Caucus Viewing Party

DES MOINES, IOWA - Americana Restaurant and Lounge, Greater Des Moines Partnership and Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau invite locals and visitors to Americana for the Official Caucus Watch Party in Greater Des Moines. Americana, located at 1312 Locust Street, is in Downtown Des Moines and provides a multi-level dining experience and street side lounge with a panoramic view of the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Greater Des Moines' Official Caucus Watch Party will begin Tuesday, January 3 at 6 p.m. Live results and media coverage will appear on televisions throughout the lounge. The Watch Party will run until close, 11 p.m. Caucus Night.

Reservations are not required, but recommended, at (515) 283-1312 or www.americanadsm.com.

Americana is an urban restaurant and lounge that celebrates the swagger of the cocktail culture. The restaurant features a variety of classic cocktails, a large wine list and serves a Modern American/Continental menu specializing in freshly prepared small plates, signature entrees, gourmet burgers, contemporary classics and much more.

For more information on the Iowa Caucus happenings in Greater Des Moines visit www.CaucusDM.com.

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Greater Des Moines as a fun, vibrant and affordable destination statewide, nationally and internationally. Our focus increases visitors to our community through meetings, conventions, sports events, leisure travel, and group tours, thereby contributing to the local economy.

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