Pottawattamie Tourism Committee Shares 2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities

Posted January 29, 2026
Posted by Board of Supervisors and Public Relations

The Pottawattamie Tourism Committee recently provided an annual update during a Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors meeting, highlighting accomplishments from 2025, ongoing marketing efforts, and opportunities ahead in 2026. 

Formed in 2008, the committee meets bi-monthly and brings together partners from across the county to support travel and tourism marketing, event promotion, and visitor engagement.  

2025 Highlights: Events, Experiences, and Countywide Promotion 

Committee members shared several initiatives and events supported over the past year, including:  

• LoHi Trek (April 23–27, 2025) 

• Pottawattamie County Museum Tour (July 13, 2025) 

• Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards (2025) 

• Southwest Iowa Art Tour (September 19–21, 2025) 

Committee partners also highlighted the value of outdoor recreation and regional tourism events that bring visitors into the county. One example was the LoHi Trek, a multi-day hiking and camping excursion that was hosted in Pottawattamie County for the first time at Hitchcock Nature Center. 

WattaWay.com Performance: Reaching Visitors In and Out of State 

The committee also shared an update on WattaWay.com performance and how the platform supports tourism across the county by promoting events, attractions, and outdoor recreation. 

According to the committee’s analytics report for 2025, WattaWay.com recorded:  

• 27,558 total views 

• 13,885 users 

• 16,190 sessions 

• 7,549 engaged sessions 

The report also showed that traffic is being driven by a mix of sources including Facebook, Google, and direct visits, reinforcing the role of both social media and search visibility in connecting people to local experiences.  

Promoting the Outdoors: Travel Guide Advertising, Printed Materials, and Winter Marketing Initiative

Committee members also noted continued promotion of outdoor recreation through a half-page ad in the 2026 Iowa Travel Guide, focused on Crescent Hill at Hitchcock and winter recreation opportunities.  

In addition to digital promotion, the committee shared that it supports printed tourism materials that help promote destinations and attractions across the county, including trails, community maps, and regional guides.  

Looking ahead, the committee shared that an Iowa Tourism Grant was pursued to support a $20,000 winter marketing initiative running January 2 through February 28, 2026. The winter campaign continues to emphasize the importance of attracting visitors during a slower travel season and highlights Crescent Hill at Hitchcock as a unique regional winter destination. 

Tourism’s Economic Impact in Pottawattamie County 

Committee members emphasized the importance of tourism as an economic driver. The committee reported that direct tourism spending in Pottawattamie County totaled $334.17 million, ranking sixth highest among Iowa’s 99 counties, while statewide tourism direct spending was reported at $7.5 billion.  

The Board of Supervisors thanked the committee members and partner organizations for their work to promote Pottawattamie County’s attractions, events, and recreation opportunities throughout the region.