DES MOINES, Iowa (March 13, 2025) – Catch Des Moines President and CEO Greg Edwards was awarded the Iowa Tourism Legacy Award at the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference. The award was presented this afternoon at the annual Iowa Tourism Conference luncheon held at Prairie Meadows Racetrack, Hotel, and Casino.
The Iowa Tourism Legacy Award is new this year and is presented to individual(s) who have worked in the tourism industry for at least 10 years and whose contributions have impacted tourism in Iowa. Edwards, who recently announced that he’ll retire later this summer, was honored for his lifetime achievement in tourism and his work to support Iowa’s tourism industry.
“I am incredibly honored to be a recipient of the Iowa Tourism Legacy Award. As I reflect on my career in hospitality, there has been so much support from many colleagues, partners, and friends who I’ve had the privilege to work with along the way,” said Edwards. “Receiving the Legacy award from my peers and colleagues gives me great pride in what we have accomplished as an industry, collectively positioning Iowa as a great place to visit.”
Edwards has more than 40 years of experience working in the tourism industry. He began as President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2000, previously leading convention and visitors bureaus in Illinois and Kansas. His legacy includes bringing game-changing events like NCAA Men’s Madness to the region and working on projects like Wells Fargo Arena and the Hilton Downtown convention hotel that put Des Moines on the map as a viable and attractive event destination. He also oversaw marketing campaigns such as “Only the S’s are Silent” that helped shift the perception of the Greater Des Moines region, coinciding with the steady growth of leisure travel that helps account for $3 billion dollars in travel spending in Polk and Dallas counties.
The annual Iowa Tourism Conference is hosted by Travel Iowa and brings travel and tourism industry representatives from across the state together for education and networking among tourism professionals.
About Catch Des Moines
The Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, collectively known as 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 14 local Greater Des Moines communities we represent. For more information, visit catchdesmoines.com.