Charles City earns two awards from travel industry

To the Press

Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) gave Charles City the nod in two categories last week when they announced the recipients of the 2024 Statewide Tourism & Hospitality Awards.

The Town of Colors mural project from the Charles City Arts Center is the recipient of Arts, Culture & Heritage Award in a small-sized market.

Presented by Group Travel Leader, the award recognizes a business, organization, event, or destination that showcases the arts, culture, or history for the enhancement of the tourism experience and economic well-being of the community.

The nomination for the award stated that the project began in 2021 with two murals painted on business walls downtown – one featuring a colorful four season “prairie” scene, and the other “Bodies in Motion” on a fitness center. Four new murals came in 2022, including a riverfront wall featuring children reading a book that is spilling out river wildlife images and wraps its way around a corner. Another large mural features a science theme, while another has a prairie theme. A Rosie the Riveter-inspired mural was also added that greatly enhances an otherwise drab back alleyway. Two murals were added to this project in 2023, featuring a mural on a local business honoring the founder of that business and a “Love Letter to Charles City.” This is the biggest mural to date at over 90 feet long. It’s located on a corner of Main Street, full of whimsy and depicts bridges in Charles City, literally and figuratively in the heart of downtown. Each mural tells its own story with many related to the wall it appears on.

Also receiving recognition, Ginger Williams, Charles City Chamber & Tourism, is the recipient of the iTIP Partner of the Year. The award recognizes the business, organization or individual that has provided extraordinary support to iTIP in the past year.

Williams’ nomination included this description: Ginger is never afraid to raise her hand and assist with iTIP projects. At the beginning of the fiscal year she jumped in to take over as chair for the Marketing Committee. Ginger is a member of the iTIP Executive Committee and rarely ever misses a meeting or iTIP event (virtual or in-person). Ginger is also an integral part each year with iTIP’s efforts at the American Bus Association. She is so knowledgeable with the assets of members across the state that she is able to answer all questions. Ginger loves the tourism industry and is always looking out for the better of the industry as a whole.

“Being named iTIP Partner of the Year by my peers is a huge honor,” said Williams. “It underscores the teamwork and dedication we all have for the tourism industry.”

The award recipients will be officially recognized with a ceremony in Sioux City on Tuesday, June 11.