Quad Cities – National Travel and Tourism Week, now in its 34th year, is the annual salute to travel in America. During May 5-13, 2017, communities nationwide unite to showcase the impact of travel.
The tourism industry supports 15.1 million American workers—8.2 million directly and 6.9 million indirectly. Here in the Quad Cities, the tourism industry supports 8,000 jobs. One in every 9 American jobs depends on travel.
“During this week, we are celebrating what travel means to our community,” says Joe Taylor, president/CEO of the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We call on everyone—from elected officials to local residents—to join us in saluting this important industry, and the $837 million economic impact on the local economy in one year.”
The Sports Huddle Illinois conference on May 7-9, 2017, at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center in Rock Island coincides with National Travel and Tourism Week. Each year, tournament directors and events rights holders are issued invitations to take part in this two-day conference to connect with over 20 Illinois CVBs and Sports Commissions about bring sporting events to the area. This is the first time it has been held in the Quad Cities.
The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau is also hosting group tour planners in the Quad Cities later in the week, and leading education sessions for tourism industry partners.
The Quad Cities Lodging Association is coordinating with the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau to host a Toast to Tourism on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 4-6 p.m. at 1 Hundred West, (inside the Best Western Plus Steeplegate Inn), 100 W. 76th St., Davenport, Iowa. It’s a complimentary travel themed wine tasting and bourbon tasting from the Mississippi River Distilling Co. For more information, visit www.qclahotels.org
Quad Cities Celebrity Lip Sync Battle
Local celebrities and business leaders battle for top honors in what is sure to be a night filled with legendary performances! Open to the public, the Quad Cities Celebrity Lip Sync Battle is an evening of priceless parody entertainment on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at The Establishment, 220 19th Street in Rock Island. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. $5.00 admission. Purchase tickets in advance at www.QCtourism.com
Throughout May 5-13, 2017, many events are taking place that highlight what a cool, creative place the Quad Cities is, and why over 1 million people visit this area each year. For more information about Quad Cities Tourism Week, visit www.QCtourism.com. You can also register to win a weekend getaway in the Quad Cities.
The new Rock Town Lit Fest is a two-day celebration on May 5-6 of literature, showcasing authors and publishers from the Quad Cities area and Midwest.
“The Midwest Writing Center is a vital part of the Quad Cities arts and cultural scene; whether it’s the SPECTRA Reading Series, the David R. Collins Writers’ Conference, or the new Rock Town Lit Fest, we bring some of the best writers in the country to our events, both for writers seeking development and readers looking to be entertained,” says Ryan Collins, executive director of the Midwest Writing Center.
Rock Island’s Gallery Hop on May 5, Village in Bloom on May 6, and the Beaux Arts Fair on May 13-14 showcase local artists that call the Quad Cities area home.
“The arts, culture, and heritage of the Quad Cities Region are a huge draw for our visitors,” says Carmen Darland, CEO of Quad City Arts. “Arts/culture generate over $71 million in local economic activity. We have diverse offerings of fun and interesting things to do, see, and experience. We’re proud of the tourists we attract and look to grow even more.”
Another cool aspect about the beginning of May is that area farmer’s markets open for the season.
“Tourism is an important facet of the business that is conducted on a weekly basis at market,” says Yvonne Villagomez, coordinator of the Freight House Farmers’ Market. “The Freight House Farmers’ Market is an important connection for visitors because we have a wide array of homegrown produce, local meats, cheeses, eggs, arts, wines, and more. We also have live local talent preforming at the weekend markets. It’s the perfect way to spend your day.”
Along with local produce, the craft brew scene is still growing. The end of Quad Cities Beer Week overlaps the start of Tourism Week. On Saturday, May 6, the Big Brew Day showcases what local homebrewers have been working on recently.
“I’ve done a fair amount of traveling around the Midwest, specifically visiting craft breweries and the Quad Cities has something special here with its craft beer community,” says Debbie Davis, a.k.a. Quad Cities Ale Girl. “There are three home brew clubs and two brewing supply shops; eight craft breweries in town, with several others in the smaller, outer lying towns. There is a wide range of beer being made in our area, each brewery offering a different experience for visitors of all kinds. As the craft beer business only continues to boom, I believe the Quad Cities is quickly establishing itself as a fanatic craft beer destination.”
Also on Saturday, May 6, the Tour de Brew QC Bike Ride visits eight pubs during the course of the day on a 35-mile bike ride. May is National Bike Month. The free GOAT (Get Out and Trail) bike ride is Saturday, May 13. Travel the bike trails on both sides of the Mississippi from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and stop by the hosted GOAT Stops for refreshments and activities.
“Visitors can experience the Mississippi River as it was first discovered—while paddling, riding or walking the riverfront trails to learn about our culture, history, industry, and natural resources,” says Kathy Wine, executive director of River Action. “We have a total 80 miles on the RiverWay for people to enjoy.”
“The work of the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring visitors to the Quad Cities continues to deliver benefits to local municipalities and residents,” says Joe Taylor. “Increased visitor spending means increased revenues to the cities, which eliminates additional tax burdens on our local residents to provide essential services. Every U.S. household would pay more than $1,200 in additional taxes without the tax revenue generated by travel to achieve the same level of public services.”
The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau works to grow the Quad Cities’ economy by attracting travelers to the Quad Cities area. The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official tourism destination marketing and management organization for the Quad Cities region. The organization serves the tourism interests of Scott County in Iowa and Rock Island, Mercer, Warren, and Henderson Counties in Illinois. The QCCVB increases visitor expenditures and overnight stays through strategic sales, marketing, and services to customers, members, and communities. The Quad Cities averages over 1 million visitors a year that generate an $837 million economic impact on the local economy. Visit www.visitquadcities.com for more information.###
