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Meet in Iowa Program Renewed for 2023
In March, the IHLA team, all of whom also work on behalf of the Iowa Restaurant Association, was selected by the Iowa Tourism Office to create and administer a meeting incentive program with the purpose of increasing hotel night stays in the state. The program provides groups reimbursement towards various meeting expenses. New overnight meetings (booked after May 1, 2022) and existing meetings that add a tourism experience on the front or backend (thus increasing the hotel nights stays) can qualify. To date booked hotel nights in the state have increased by more than 6,000 nights and more than $850,000 in reimbursements have been earmarked for qualifying groups.
Given the tremendous success of the Meet In Iowa program in 2022, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Tourism Office extended the program into 2023, allocating $300,000 toward reimbursement for eligible meetings and events. Because of the longer time period and limited funding, modifications have been made to the program.
- Eligible meetings and events include business conferences and meetings/events NOT open to the general public, and mid-week group leisure travel (with the majority of overnights taking place Sun-Thurs). Festivals, fairs and sporting events do not qualify.
- All eligible meetings and events must add a pre- or post-event (before or after event agenda) tourism experience to encourage attendees to book an extra day in a lodging establishment.
- A flat 25% reimbursement rate will be applied to all eligible hard cost categories.
This is a great tool to incent groups booking in your properties to expand or enhance their meetings. Learn more about the program at meetinia.com.
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