A landmark partnership for southern Iowa tourism is unveiling itself at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa with the Historic Hills Region, including Appanoose County, a beneficiary.
Recognizing that the visitor economy is an important component to Southern Iowa’s wealth, the State of Iowa has appointed an economic development district for tourism known as Historic Hills. The multi-county, Historic Hills district, including Appanoose, Davis, Decatur, Clarke, Monroe, Lucas, Wayne, Wapello, and Van Buren counties, recently trademarked its moniker and logo, created a website (www.historichills.com), initiated common landscaping and gateway signs in 39 community entrances, and developed a five-year strategic plan.
As a part of the Historic Hills’ strategic plan for marketing, Iowa State University has incorporated into its course catalog for Fall 2007 three classes that focus exclusively on Historic Hills’ advancement.
According to Tracy Daugherty Miller, executive director of Chariton Valley Planning and Development and agent for Historic Hills, the contributions from university staff and students will include: 1) development of strategic marketing concepts; 2) creation and design of advertising media; 3) evaluation of advertising alternatives as compared with budgetary constraints.
“Iowa State University and Professor John Thomas are essentially taking on the Historic Hills tourism region as an advertising client,” explains Daugherty Miller. “The full resources of the university are at the disposal of its staff and students to develop a tailored marketing and advertising plan for our southern Iowa tourism region, Historic Hills.”
Under the direction of Professor John Thomas, who was included in Advertising Age’s Top 100 Marketers (1998) for advertising excellence, the Historic Hills region receives specialized advertising and marketing plans. By January 2008, Historic Hills is assured a portfolio of high-quality, creative marketing products. The advertisements will be rolled out to visitors as well as bus tour coordinators.
Professor Thomas is experienced in survey research, retail store development and management, print/broadcast advertising, public relations, brand management, Web development and agency management. Thomas has worked for Maytag Corporation and Clay Equipment Corporation. Included among his recognitions for outstanding advertising work are six Gold Effies for campaign effectiveness (1991, 1992, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001) and three Gold Mobius (1993, 1995, 1999).
“Historic Hills is very appreciative of the support of Iowa State University, John Thomas, and the Iowa Departments of Economic Development and Transportation,” commented Daugherty Miller. “Our chambers of commerce directors are pleased that their collective work is paying off.”
Local News
Area gets attention of top advertising talent - ISU
- Local News
-
-
Mystic couple’s premature baby comes home after extended hospital stay
Nolan Wendland was supposed to be born Jan. 9. Instead, he came home Jan. 8 — after 11 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.
-
Daily Iowegian publisher’s photo wins third place in INA contest
Daily Iowegian publisher, Becky Maxwell, took third place in the Best Breaking News Photo category at the 2012 Iowa Newspaper Association’s annual convention in Des Moines Feb. 2-3.
-
100 Day Wellness Challenge update
The first update for the 100 Day Wellness Challenge as of Feb. 5 (Day 13) has been released.
-
Pathfinders RC&D secures grant for map training along byway
Pathfinders RC&D is happy to announce receipt of a grant from Central Iowa Tourism Region to plan and host a map training seminar for businesses along the Historic Hills Scenic Byway as well as surrounding communities.
-
COOKIES FOR SALE
Troop No. 665 Girl Scouts Saturday afternoon were at the Centerville Hy-Vee selling cookies.
-
CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW: Centerville City Council looking to appoint six and accept three resignations
The agenda for tonight's Centerville City Council meeting is loaded with resignations and appointments. The council will vote on three resignations and six appointments.
-
Masonic Lodge open house Feb. 20
An open house is going to be held at the Masonic Jackson Lodge No. 42 in Centerville on Monday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in honor of George Washington’s birthday. It is open to the public.
-
Friends of the Drake Public Library fifth annual raffle prize list
All proceeds will be used to support the library including a subscription for FREE e-books.
-
Appanoose County's rank jumps from 83rd to 2nd in one year
Appanoose County has a chance to be number one in the state. According to Joyce Bieber, executive director of the Centerville-Rathbun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Appanoose County is ranked second in the state for participation in the Live Healthy Iowa 100 Day Challenge as of Friday, Feb. 3.
-
Large turnout protests proposed closing of Centerville FSA office
Tuesday afternoon local producers and the public made comments concerning the proposed closing and consolidation of the Appanoose County Farm Service Agency office located in Centerville. Several questioned if the decision hasn't already been made.
-
Girl Scouts selling cookies at Hy-Vee Saturday
The Girl Scouts of local Troop 665 will be selling Girl Scout cookies at a cookie booth sale at Hy-Vee on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost per box is just $3.50.
-
Tractors, tractors and more tractors coming to Appanoose County
The 2012 WHO Great Annual Tractor Ride is coming to Centerville and the Rathbun Lake Watershed.
-
SEI Orchestra presents winter concert series
Admission is by season ticket or at the door. Adult tickets are $15 and student tickets are $10. Children under 12 are free. There is no reserved seating. For information contact the symphony office at (319) 385-6352; send email to seiso@iwc.edu or on the Internet at www.seiso.us.
-
Benefit for Fred Jones March 2
A benefit for Fred Jones will be held on Friday, March 2 at Eagles Hall in Centerville.
-
31-year Iowa State Patrol veteran passes away
The Centerville community lost a long-time resident and law enforcement officer on Friday, Jan. 27.
- More Local News Headlines
-
