Centerville, Iowa Launches the Drake Tourism Initiative

Apr 9
07:53

2024

Cheryl A. White

Cheryl A. White

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Centerville, Iowa is buzzing with excitement as the Drake Tourism Initiative takes off, aiming to boost local tourism and engage the community. Spearheaded by GoCenterville.com and Commercial Resources, Inc. (CRI), this project is a collaborative effort to showcase the area's attractions and garner input from those eager to contribute to its success. With innovative strategies and community support, the initiative is set to put Centerville on the map as a must-visit destination.

A Strategic Approach to Promoting Centerville

The team behind the Drake Tourism Initiative has employed a multifaceted strategy to promote Centerville's attractions. Cheryl White from CRI has been instrumental in integrating the Drake Tour into the GoCenterville.com website and securing advertising space in prominent publications. Efforts include:

  • An advertisement in the Des Moines Register's Sunday edition,Centerville, Iowa Launches the Drake Tourism Initiative Articles specifically in the Experience Iowa section.
  • A grant application to Central Iowa Tourism for funding support.
  • Planned advertisements in three spring 2011 issues of "Our Iowa" magazine.

Cheryl also designed a comprehensive Drake Tour Brochure, complete with a map and descriptions of the tour sites, and initiated the creation of "Ask me about Drake" buttons for staff to wear, enhancing engagement with tourists.

Outreach and Media Engagement

Pat McAfee from CRI has been equally active, focusing on the visual and outreach aspects of the project:

  • Crafting and painting seven Drake billboards, along with overseeing the commercial production of four additional billboards.
  • Engaging with TV media outlets such as Channel 3, 8, and 11 to discuss the Drake Project.
  • Communicating with a wide array of organizations, including:
    • 15 Iowa Tour Operators
    • 17 Travel Federation of Iowa agencies
    • 12 State of Iowa government agencies
    • 18 members of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
    • 12 members of the CenStates Chapter TTRA
    • Editors of "Our Iowa" and "Midwest Living"
    • Drafting press releases for local newspapers

In anticipation of the Drake Tour Opening event, Pat has also:

  • Secured two tour buses
  • Organized the tour schedule for each bus
  • Coordinated lunch arrangements for guests
  • Reached out to various travel agencies within Iowa

Pat is diligently monitoring expenses to ensure the project stays within its budget.

Community Support and Acknowledgments

The initial funding for the Drake Tourism Initiative was generously provided by local businesses through brochure space rentals at Honey Creek Resort. CRI extends heartfelt gratitude to all participants, especially Honey Creek Resort, for their support in this collaborative endeavor. The project is not only meeting but surpassing its initial goals and commitments.

As the Drake Tourism Initiative progresses, GoCenterville.com and CRI are excited to see the positive impact on Centerville's tourism landscape. With a strong start and a clear vision, the future looks bright for this Iowa community.

For more information on the attractions and activities in Centerville, Iowa, visit GoCenterville.com.

Sources:

  • GoCenterville.com
  • Commercial Resources, Inc. (CRI)
  • Des Moines Register
  • Central Iowa Tourism
  • "Our Iowa" Magazine
  • Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
  • Travel Federation of Iowa
  • CenStates Chapter TTRA
  • "Midwest Living" Magazine

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