Quad Cities

We are thrilled to announce that Director Debi Durham will be one of the recipients for the Destination Impact Award at Destination QC!

Debi Durham is a longtime economic and community development professional who serves as director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). Durham was named to the position by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in January 2019.

Durham was first appointed to lead IEDA in 2011 and has turned the agency into a successful public-private partnership, landed billion-dollar economic development projects for Iowa and worked tirelessly to expand trade and investment opportunities for the state. She was appointed to lead IFA in 2019, when Governor Reynolds recognized an opportunity to further bolster Iowa’s communities and economy by bringing together IFA and IEDA. Durham prides herself on building coalitions, supporting new ventures, and strengthening the state’s industries and communities.

Prior to joining IEDA | IFA, Durham served as president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Her several accolades include nine-time recognition as one of the Most Influential Business Leaders in the Des Moines Business Record Book of Lists. She has been named the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s Manufacturing Champion, the Technology Association of Iowa’s UHY Impact Award winner and Legislative Advocacy Leader, the Iowa Restaurant Association’s Industry Champion, and the American Clean Power Association’s Renewable Energy Champion. Durham also has received the Christian Petersen Design Award from Iowa State University’s College of Design, the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s Honorary Master Pork Producers Award and the Sioux City Downtown Rotary Club Key Way Award. She has been recognized by the Business Record as a Woman of Influence and by the Siouxland Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

Durham was inducted in Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society in the field of economics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Management from Missouri Southern State University. She married her high school sweetheart, Joel, and moved to Sioux City in 1994. They have two children and five grandsons, who are their pride and joy. In her free time, Durham enjoys gardening and doting on her grandsons.

RSVP for October 29th, here: https://visitquadcities.com/about/destination-qc


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The Destination Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization that has achieved extraordinary outcomes for our destination and demonstrates key success in our region.

We are honored to be able to present this award to Denny and Brett Hitchcock at our annual Destination QC! event on October 29th.

You can learn more about the history of Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse by checking out our newest blog https://visitquadcities.com/media-qc/insiders-blog/circa-21-owner-producer-reflects-on-nearly-half-century-in-entertainment-business

RSVP for Destination QC! here: https://visitquadcities.com/about/destination-qc


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Learn about our CTA of the Year, Scott Peake!

Scott Peake has called the Quad Cities home since arriving in 2002 to attend St. Ambrose University, quickly falling in love with a region that offers the amenities of a larger city with the heart and warmth of a close-knit community. During his years at the Putnam Museum & Science Center, Scott helped shape engaging, family-friendly experiences that celebrated curiosity, creativity, and the unique character of the Quad Cities. In his tenure at Performance Foodservice TPC he designed menus, planned the local food show and supported local restaurants as they grew their brands and strengthened their businesses. A longtime supporter of the local arts scene, he enjoys attending community theater productions throughout the area and participating whenever he can. Art, design, piano, Musical theater and singing remain central joys in his life, along with the “old-lady hobbies” he proudly embraces, like baking and crochet. Scott and his wife, Madeline, are raising their two children here, grateful for a community that feels vibrant and grounded.

See Scott Peake receive his CTA of the Year Award at Destination QC! RSVP here: https://visitquadcities.com/about/destination-qc

Visit Quad Cities President and CEO, Dave Herrell recently attended Destinations International’s Advocacy & Action Summit in Ottawa, ON.

He joined hundreds of destination organization leaders and colleagues from around the world who were there to discuss a host of topics including but not limited to advocacy, public affairs, resident sentiment, community engagement, tourism policy, research, workforce, stakeholder development, along with strategies that help build and shape communities.

There were several education sessions and keynotes that addressed insights that will drive overall community impact and prosperity.

Thank you to Ottawa Tourism for hosting this important event and to Destinations International for always moving our industry forward. Canada and Canadians are vitally important to the Quad Cities, and it was an honor to be in the country even just for a few days!

It's going to be a spooky weekend in the Quad Cities 👻 The Halloween fun is starting Saturday, October 24th! Check out a few events below!

🧙‍♀️ LeClaire Witches’ Walk & Costume Contest
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
127 S. Cody Rd., LeClaire, IA

🎃 Spooky Spectacular & Candy Crawl
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Downtown Davenport

💀Back from the Dead
6:00 AM – 11:45 PM
Downtown Rock Island

👻 City of Bettendorf Halloween Parade
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Starting at Bettendorf Middle School

For more Halloween fun, check out our events calendar https://visitquadcities.com/events/events-calendar


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We cannot wait to recognize four outstanding contributors at our annual Destination QC! event on October 29th!

Denny Hitchcock and Brett Hitchcock of Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse and Debi Durham of the Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Economic Development Authority will receive the Destination Impact Award for their contributions to the region. Scott Peake, Quad Citizen, will receive the Certified Tourism Ambassador® (CTA) Award for going above and beyond to create positive experiences and champion the Quad Cities.

Have you RSVP’d for Destination QC!? Join us in celebrating these incredible leaders and the impact they make on the Quad Cities and learn about what it takes to be a successful destination.

RSVP HERE: https://visitquadcities.com/about/destination-qc


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The Quad Cities welcomed 5,511 visitors during the region's national river cruise season, with 23 stops from Viking and American Cruise Lines!

You still have a couple more chances to get out on the Mississippi River! Celebration Belle will be wrapping up its regular cruise season, with a Holiday Cruise coming up November 20.

Riverboat Twilight - Mississippi River Cruise will be making its final trips of the season, including a two-day cruise this weekend and sightseeing cruises in Dubuque next weekend.


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10 Ways to Experience Outdoor Recreation in the Quad Cities

​The QC makes outdoor recreation easy to enjoy, with riverfront trails, wooded preserves, and Mississippi River scenery. More than 100 miles of riverfront trails give visitors plenty of ways to spend time outside, from cycling and hiking to paddling and wildlife watching.

Check out our blog to learn more: https://visitquadcities.com/media-qc/insiders-blog/10-outdoor-places-to-explore-in-the-quad-cities


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