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Elk Horn business receives Excellence in Tourism award

News

April 28th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

April 28, 2021 (Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa presented 25 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry at a ceremony today (Wednesday) in Des Moines during the 2021 Iowa Tourism Conference. Among the businesses receiving an award, was Grace on Main, in Elk Horn, which won a 2021 Iowa Tourism Award for Outstanding Dining Business in a rural setting. The Wallace Centers of Iowa’s Pizza on the Prairie, in Orient, won an award for Outstanding Event in the rural category.
State Tourism Manager Amy Zeigler said “These awards are a great opportunity to recognize our industry partners for their perseverance in the face of a pandemic.  “We celebrate their innovations in safely delivering memorable experiences to Iowa travelers.”
Awards, divided into metro and rural distinctions, were made in 13 categories. In addition, conference attendees voted for the People’s Choice Award; nominees were the second-highest scoring nominations.

The complete list of 2021 Iowa Tourism Award recipients:

Outstanding Attraction
Mahanay Memorial Carillon Bell Tower, Jefferson (Rural)
Three Pines Farm, Cedar Falls (Metro)
Outstanding Community
Clear Lake (Rural)
Cedar Rapids (Metro)
Outstanding Dining Business
Grace on Main, Elk Horn (Rural)
Butcher’s Brewhuis & In’t Veld Meat Market, Pella (Metro)
Outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative 
NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids (Metro)
Outstanding Event
Pizza on the Prairie, Orient (Rural)
Hickory Hills Holiday Lights, Waterloo (Metro)
Outstanding Individual Leader
David Rettig, Amana Colonies (Rural)
Sara Olson, Sioux City (Metro)
Outstanding Lodging Property
Larch Pine Inn, Clear Lake (Rural)
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, Cedar Rapids (Metro)
Outstanding Marketing Collaboration
Byways of Iowa Foundation, Postville (Rural)
Stephens Auditorium and ACTORS, Ames (Metro)
Outstanding Niche Market Initiative
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (Rural)
Visit Quad Cities (Metro)
Outstanding Promotional Material
Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community (Rural)
Greater Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau (Metro)
Outstanding Retail Experience
Almost Famous Popcorn, Des Moines (Metro)
Outstanding Social Media Execution
Fayette County Conservation Board (Rural)
Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (Metro)
Outstanding Website
Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission (Rural)
Visit Quad Cities (Metro)
People’s Choice Award
Black Capital of Iowa Passport
Tourism in Iowa generates nearly $9.3 billion in expenditures and $540 million in state taxes, while employing 70,700 people statewide. The Iowa Tourism Office is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For more information, visit traveliowa.com.