Visit Quad Cities staff celebrate winning the People’s Choice Award on Thursday, March 13. The award was presented at the Iowa Tourism Conference in Altoona. CREDIT VISIT QUAD CITIES
Visit Quad Cities’ efforts to advance accessible tourism landed it top honors last week at the at the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. The bistate region’s destination marketing organization (DMO) received the People’s Choice Award on Thursday, March 13, from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Travel Iowa. The award […]
Already a subscriber? Log in
Want to Read More?
Get immediate, unlimited access to all subscriber content and much more. Learn more in our subscriber FAQ.
Visit Quad Cities’ efforts to advance accessible tourism landed it top honors last week at the at the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.The bistate region’s destination marketing organization (DMO) received the People’s Choice Award on Thursday, March 13, from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Travel Iowa. The award recognizes Visit Quad Cities’ partnerships with Wheel the World and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programs. It was one of 11 awards of excellence presented by the Iowa Tourism Office.Earlier in the conference, Visit Quad Cities received the newly created “You Rock Geode Award” for the same initiatives which, leaders said, helped position the organization as a contender for the People’s Choice Award.“We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to receive this honor,” Visit QC’s President and CEO Dave Herrell said in a news release. “We are grateful to IEDA and Travel Iowa for this recognition and deeply appreciative of our industry colleagues across Iowa for their support.”The People's Choice Award is one of the conference’s most prestigious awards. The recognition, Visit QC said, underscores its dedication to making the region more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that all travelers, regardless of ability, can fully experience and enjoy everything the Quad Cities has to offer.
Tourism accessibility
“This award reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the Quad Cities is a welcoming and inclusive destination for all,” he added. “Accessible tourism is a long-term commitment, and we will continue to lead and serve our regional destination with purpose and impact.”The local DMO was selected as the People’s Choice Award winner from eight nominees after voting by the 300+ tourism leaders attending the conference.“We were honored to be among some incredible nominees - congratulations to all of them for the outstanding work they’re doing across Iowa,” Mr. Herrell said. “This award belongs to our visitors, residents, and partners who support our mission every day. We will continue to push forward with initiatives that drive accessibility and enhance the visitor experience.”
New partnerships
Accessible tourism had been identified as a gap and an opportunity in Visit Quad Cities’ Tourism Master Plan under Destination Stewardship.Visit Quad Cities has partnered with Wheel the World, a global travel solution for people with disabilities. This initiative enables users to book hotels and tours that match their accessibility needs. In 2024, Visit Quad Cities reached out to local attractions and points of interest to be site-mapped for accessibility. Participating businesses underwent a voluntary three-step process: assessment, training, and promotion. The John Deere Pavilion, The Half Nelson, the Current Iowa hotel and Riverboat Twilight are just a few points of interest on the Quad Cities’ Wheel the World page. Over time, Visit Quad Cities and Wheel the World will identify new and potential partners to scale this program.
Hidden disabilities
In October 2024, Visit Quad Cities announced a partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. This global initiative provides a discreet way for individuals with non-visible disabilities to signal that they may need extra understanding, patience, or support while navigating public spaces. As part of this effort, the Sunflower Program trained Visit QC staff on how to better assist individuals with hidden disabilities. In fact, Visit Quad Cities' Union Station Destination Center in downtown Davenport is the first Sunflower-friendly location in the State of Iowa. Both Union Station and River Station Destination Center in Moline display the Sunflower decal at their entrances, signaling that these locations welcome and accommodate all visitors.
Statewide tourism awards
“We’ve updated our awards program to better showcase the innovative and creative efforts of our industry partners who are finding new ways to promote Iowa as a must-visit destination,” Amy Zeigler, state tourism office manager, said in a news release from the Iowa Tourism Office, part of the IEDA.“These awards celebrate the creativity, dedication and passion that continue to drive our visitor economy forward. Their efforts also contribute significantly to our local communities and businesses," she added.Visit Quad Cities and its participating points of interest will later be recognized with a seal ceremony.
