MASON CITY – Visit Mason City recently hosted its annual meeting and appreciation open house at the North Iowa Events Center. During the event, Visit Mason City honored a few partners for their contribution to tourism in Mason City. Award winners included:
Friend of Tourism Award was presented to Arian Schuessler, Online Editor / Photographer for the Mason City Globe Gazette. Schuessler was recognized as a strong supporter of the North Iowa area demonstrating leadership, professionalism and dedication to Mason City tourism. He has volunteered countless hours assisting numerous tourism groups. Among his many contributions, Schuessler has helped complete tourism websites, videos, photo libraries, social media education sessions and more.
Spirit of Tourism Award was given to the North Iowa Events Center. The organization was selected due to their exemplary contributions to Mason City tourism serving as a catalyst with exceptional results. In the past few years, with lots of hard work, dedication and the zest to succeed the volunteer board of the North Iowa Events Center has made several positive improvements. Under their direction and help from many public and private sponsors, they have taken a struggling organization and turned it around to be an economic driver for the area. A few of the changes implemented included a name change, brand imaging campaign, enhanced marketing/ promotion strategies and the creation of new events. These initiatives have increased income while also decreasing expenses creating a stronger more viable facility. In addition, each and every year this facility serves as the host site to numerous tourism events. The economic impact from the visitor spending left behind by those attending these activities is estimated to generate over $3 million into the area’s economy. The North Iowa Events Center has achieved success, overcome adversity and endured many challenges. The board realizes there is much more to accomplish and they readily embrace these challenges.
Tourism Excellence Award which recognizes an area attraction or event which serves as a model of professional excellence was presented to Wright on the Park, Inc. Wright on the Park, Inc. successfully raised $18 million to rehabilitate and restore the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Historic Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank building. This daunting but doable challenge was completed by a volunteer board, a small passionate staff and numerous supporters. The completion of this project has created a positive economic impact while generating media attention for the community from across the United States and around the world. Today, Wright on the Park’s work, along with continued preservation of the hotel, now includes educating the public about the building, Wright and Prairie School architecture. They continue to host various conferences and tours as well as sponsor special events, speakers and workshops, helping promote Mason City as an architectural tourism destination.
Jodi Ball, President of Visit Mason City, also commented on the accomplishments from the past year, most notably Visit Mason City’s completion of a new visitor information center which assisted over 3,000 visitors last year, influencing an estimated $14.6 million of direct visitor spending in the community, fulfilling over 44,100 visitor information requests and successful attraction of 121 meeting, sport events and group tours resulting in an estimated 70,500 visitors to the community.
Visit Mason City, formerly the Mason City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), is a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing and promoting Mason City and the North Iowa area as a multi-day tourism destination to attract, expand and retain visitor spending in the area. Tourism related direct visitor spending contributed an estimated $92.03 million into Mason City’s economy during 2011. In Cerro Gordo County, tourism generated an estimated $184.06 million in direct visitor spending, the 10th highest county level in the State. Tourism related jobs employed over an estimated 1,500 people in Cerro Gordo County.
This organization I believe is the only one of its kind in Mason City. What I mean by that is they actually make money for the city. They are given a budget use it wisely and get their projects accomplished. I believe if we give the Visit Mason City 25 thousand to spend, they would turn it into 50 thousand. NO other city or chamber orginization can say that. Lets look at the EDC. How much does it cost us?…how much does it bring in?…If we had those actual numbers we would all be appalled.
The Visit Mason City board is made up of volunteers who put alot of time and effort into making Mason City a viable destination point. The volunteers on the board really are some of the most capable up and commers in the area. If were are looking and we are looking for someone to challenge the Bookmeyers and Tornquists of the world look at these people….except for Janet Soleberg who is on the board, you might as well have a potted plant that likes to drink alot on the board.
Kudos to the best run city organization.
I do like the Visit Mason City program. There is some return on investment there and accountability. They do good things for Mason City. Not so sure about the 17 minute parking spaces, though.