DES MOINES, IA – Greater Des Moines was awarded five 2016 Iowa Tourism Awards honoring the work of new and longstanding events, promotional material, and an individual leader. Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission received the 2016 Iowa Tourism Outstanding Individual Leader Award (Metro) for his long-term excellence in leadership and support for the tourism industry.

Edwards has played a key role in growing and steering tourism in Greater Des Moines and the State of Iowa over the past 16 years, including holding leadership positions for Iowa Destination Management Association, Travel Federation of Iowa, and as the Past Chairman of Destination Marketing Association International, the world’s largest resource for destination marketing organizations.

“I am honored to be recognized by industry peers and fortunate for the opportunity to make an impact in the community,” says Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission. “I am also proud of my team and the entire Greater Des Moines tourism and hospitality industry for their efforts and commitment to growing the metro as a visitor destination and ensuring that visitors have the best possible experience while they are here.”

The awards recognized the following efforts:

  • Outstanding Individual Leader (Metro)– Greg Edwards, Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission  

  • Outstanding New Event (Metro) – 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament

  • Outstanding Event (Metro) – Iowa Caucus & Des Moines Beer Week

  • Outstanding Promotional Material (Metro) – Iowa State Fair

The 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament was awarded for its proven results of supporting and growing tourism in Iowa as a first-time event. The success of the 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament in Greater Des Moines was the result of a strong partnership between the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Iowa Events Center, Polk County and Iowa State University.

The Iowa Caucus, which is run by the Republican Party of Iowa and the Iowa Democratic Party, was awarded for the efforts behind the media filing center, welcoming candidates, media and visitors to the metro, and the additional events and support executed by the Iowa Caucus Consortium. The consortium consisted of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Drake University, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and the Des Moines Register.

The Iowa Tourism Conference brought together nearly 300 industry representatives in Davenport this week for educational sessions and networking. The Iowa Tourism Awards are the highest honor given for tourism in Iowa.

A full list of Iowa Tourism award winners is posted at traveliowa.com.