GREATER DES MOINES, IA (April 13, 2020) – Catch Des Moines today released a new 30 second public service announcement encouraging people to stay safe and make memories from home, while looking forward to traveling once the crisis has abated. The PSA, entitled “Memories,” evokes memories created from travel experiences. When travel resumes, memories and opportunities for human connection will be cherished more than ever before.   

“Right now, we need to stay safe and support each other at a distance,” said Greg Edwards, President and CEO of Catch Des Moines and video narrator. “Once the tide has passed, Greater Des Moines has an incredible culture and many safe, clean and affordable amenities that will make our destination very attractive for travelers as well as meeting and event planners.” 

Catch Des Moines is focusing on encouraging planners to postpone, not cancel their events. Iowa Economic Development calculated that Polk and Dallas counties received $2.5 billion from travel spending in 2018.  

Over the past month, Catch Des Moines has launched and promoted several initiatives to support local business safely, including the viral DSM Local Challenge. In addition to supporting small businesses and the hospitality industry, many destinations across the country have switched to sharing messages of hope and looking towards the future. 

“We're all anxious to get back to our normal routines of socializing with our friends, family and neighbors, and once the gathering restrictions are lifted, we'll all be ready to be entertained and experience our region again,” said Edwards.    

The 30 second “Memories” PSA can be viewed here https://youtu.be/glOt67ngRZY and is available for media outlets to run as a PSA. If you have any questions or would like a copy of the video, please reach out to Mandy McWherter at mandy@catchdesmoines.com.  

About Catch Des Moines 

Catch Des Moines is the official destination marketing organization promoting and representing Greater Des Moines to leisure travelers and meeting/sports planners. Our focus is to increase visitors to the metro and elevate the visitor experience to drive economic success and enhance the quality of life in the 15 local Greater Des Moines communities we represent. For more information, visit catchdesmoines.com.