Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP), in collaboration with the Iowa Tourism Office of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, proudly announces the launch of the Elevate Iowa Tourism: Education Scholarship. This new initiative will provide funding to assist Iowa’s tourism and hospitality professionals in attending regional and national conferences that foster industry knowledge and professional growth.
With a total of $40,000 available, the scholarship program will cover up to 60% of event registration and travel expenses, awarding up to $2,000 per recipient. The scholarship is designed for both seasoned and emerging tourism professionals across Iowa, with eligibility open to any hospitality industry professional with six or more months of experience. Priority consideration will be given to iTIP members.
“This scholarship program reflects iTIP’s ongoing commitment to the growth and advancement of Iowa’s tourism workforce,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners. “Supporting attendance at national events strengthens our industry’s skills, deepens our knowledge, and aligns our efforts with best practices from around the country. Programs like this would not be possible without the financial support of IEDA and Iowa’s legislature, whose commitment is crucial to the success of Iowa’s tourism industry.”
Scholarship Application Details
Application period: Nov. 4, 2024 – Dec. 9, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Scholarship amount: Covers 60% of expenses, up to $2,000
Eligible expenses: Event registration, airfare, lodging, ground transportation (excluding meals)
Application link: https://iowatravelindustry.org/news/elevate-iowa-tourism-education-scholarship/
Selected recipients will be notified by Jan. 2, 2025, allowing travel to conferences scheduled for January through December 2025. The funding aims to broaden access to top-tier training in areas such as sports tourism, meeting planning, visitor services, digital marketing, and destination management.
About iTIP
Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) is Iowa’s statewide nonprofit tourism association, dedicated to supporting Iowa’s travel and hospitality industry through resources, education, advocacy, and marketing initiatives. Through scholarships, training opportunities, and strategic partnerships, iTIP advances Iowa’s tourism landscape to meet the evolving needs of professionals statewide. For more information, visit IowaTravelIndustry.org.
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