Tri State Rodeo gets Tourism award

Rodeo award

Last year’s 75th Tri-State Rodeo was an excellent event from the fantastic weather to the great performers and contestants. It was a record breaking year where everything just came together. The Rodeo Operating Committee truly deserved this award.”

Chi Eastin, Fort Madison Tourism Director

FORT MADISON — The Iowa Tourism Office presented 24 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry during the 2024 Iowa Tourism Conference last week in Des Moines.
“These awards recognize the hard work and dedication of our tourism industry partners and the appeal of Iowa as a destination,” said Amy Zeigler, state tourism office manager. “We look forward to building on the positive momentum for continued success in 2024.”
Awards, divided into metro and rural distinctions, were made in 13 categories. Local winners were the Tri-State Rodeo and Harvestville Farm.
Outstanding Event
Tri-State Rodeo, Fort Madison (Rural)
|“We are so proud of our local winners,” said Chi Eastin, Fort Madison tourism director. “Last year’s 75th Tri-State Rodeo was an excellent event from the fantastic weather to the great performers and contestants. It was a record breaking year where everything just came together. The Rodeo Operating Committee truly deserved this award.”
Outstanding Retail Experience
Harvestville Farm, Donnellson (Rural)
“This was Harvestville Farm’s second year in a row for winning at the conference. They have found their niche and strive to bring a unique farm experience to their visitors,” said Eastin.
Eastin has also won at this conference in 2022, being awarded Outstanding Marketing Collaboration for work with the Lake Cooper Loop (Metro), Outstanding Lodging Property for the Kingsley Inn (Metro) and Fort Madison as the Outstanding Community (Metro). “Southeast Iowa has made a huge name for itself at the Iowa Tourism Conference in the last 3 years and we’re not slowing down. Travel Iowa has urged us to “Think Big” and that’s exactly what we are doing in the Fort Madison Tourism office.”
The Fort Madison and Keokuk Tourism offices are working with Travel Iowa to promote area museums, retail, hotels, rental properties, campgrounds and events by adding those listings to their website. Annually, two million people visit the Travel Iowa website, traveliowa.com. “We want to make sure that southeast Iowa is utilizing the free services that the state office is offering so please create your free listing and promote your business!”
Find more information on free marketing with Travel Iowa at https://industrypartners.traveliowa.com/free-marketing/ or by contacting Chi Eastin at the Fort Madison Tourism office. tourism@fortmadison.com