The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand Wins Iowa Tourism Award
17 Iowa Tourism Awards Presented at the Iowa Tourism Conference
By Claire Kohl
Brianne Sanchez (right) speaks while accepting the Travel Iowa Award on behalf of The Avenues. From left: Jacob Kuperman, Tatiana Giacinti, Gerrit VanDyk, Brianne Sanchez.
On March 13, the 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference honored the recipients of the 2026 Iowa Tourism awards.
“The Iowa Tourism Awards celebrate the creativity, collaboration, and strategic thinking that continue to elevate Iowa as a tourism destination,” said Amy Zeigler, state tourism manager. “This year’s recipients represent the very best of our industry — finding innovative ways to tell Iowa’s story, drive visitation, and deliver meaningful results for their communities. Their work not only strengthens our visitor economy, but also creates places Iowans are proud to call home.”
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand received an award for “Outstanding Marketing Campaign” in the marketing budgets under $50,000 category. Our winning campaign, “Expand Your Palate/Palette”, showcased the unique culinary experiences & cultural attractions in our district and invited tourists to visit.
🏆 Our Winner: “Expand Your Palate/Palette”
🎬 Making “Expand Your Palate/Palette”: Behind the Scenes
The winners of 2026 Iowa Tourism Awards in all categories are:
- Outstanding Marketing Collaboration: Second State Brewing Co., Cedar Falls Tourism and Gateway River Park
- Innovation in Marketing: Catch Des Moines
- Outstanding Niche Marketing: Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Outstanding Marketing Campaign (marketing budget less than $50,000): The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand, Des Moines
- Outstanding Marketing Campaign (marketing budget greater than $50,000): Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines
- Champion of Iowa Tourism: Max Leonida and Paola Maria Savoia — Astarox Productions, Oskaloosa
- Iowa Tourism Legacy Award (three winners): Josh Dansdill, Northeast Iowa RC&D; Larry Obermeyer, Sioux City Railroad Museum and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center; Bob and Ruth Kehl, Elite Casino Resorts
- People’s Choice Award: Reiman Gardens, Ames
For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.
