Iowa's curious decision to promote tourism with pictures on trucks

Skift Take

The decision to spend $50,000 on images that will be quickly seen on the highway seems outdated when targeted Internet marketing would give the state more creativity to attract the right kind of visitor.

Iowa tourism destinations are being featured on state tractor-trailers as part of a new promotional effort.

Gov. Terry Branstad announced the campaign Monday. Nine trucks from the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division have been wrapped with images promoting Ames, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Des Moines, Iowa City, Newton, Sioux City and Waterloo.

Images on the trucks include a Cedar Falls bike trail, the Fun City Waterpark in Burlington and the Iowa Veterans Museum in Waterloo. The trucks will feature the billboards for 18 months. The roughly $50,000 cost was shared by the state and the cities.

Branstad is encouraging residents to take a trip in Iowa. He says there are lots of wonderful and fun things to do.

Samantha Shankman

July 2nd, 2013 at 12:19 AM EDT

Tags: marketing

Photo Credit: The billboard for Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Iowa Economic Development Authority / Screenshot

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Iowa's curious decision to promote tourism with tractor-trailer billboards

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First read is on us.

Iowa's curious decision to promote tourism with tractor-trailer billboards

Skift Take

Up Next

How Data Quality Issues Impact Global Hospitality Operations

How Ananda Went From a Foreigners’ Wellness Retreat to a 50% Indian Clientele

Expedia Is Open to AI Partnerships and M&A

What Drove China’s Lunar New Year Tourism

We Now Know What Hilton Paid for NoMad Hotels: Just $56 Million

First read is on us.Subscribe to read more essential travel industry news.

First read is on us.
Subscribe to read more essential travel industry news.