MOLINE, ILLINOIS (March 14, 2025) — Visit Quad Cities was honored with the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona on Thursday. Presented by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Travel Iowa, this award recognizes Visit Quad Cities' efforts to advance accessible tourism through its partnerships with Wheel the World and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programs.
Earlier in the conference, Visit Quad Cities received the newly created “You Rock Geode Award” for the same initiatives, which helped position the organization as a contender for the People’s Choice Award.
“We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to receive this honor,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “We are grateful to IEDA and Travel Iowa for this recognition and deeply appreciative of our industry colleagues across Iowa for their support. This award reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the Quad Cities is a welcoming and inclusive destination for all. Accessible tourism is a long-term commitment, and we will continue to lead and serve our regional destination with purpose and impact.”
The People’s Choice Award is one of the conference’s most prestigious honors, as it reflects direct recognition from tourism industry professionals. Visit Quad Cities was one of eight nominees, with over 300 tourism leaders attending the conference and voting to select this year's winner.
Advancing Accessible Tourism: Wheel the World and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Visit Quad Cities has partnered with Wheel the World, a global travel solution for people with disabilities. This initiative enables users to book hotels and tours that match their accessibility needs. In 2024, Visit Quad Cities initiated outreach to local attractions and points of interest to be site-mapped for accessibility. Participating businesses underwent a voluntary three-step process: Assessment, training, and promotion. The John Deere Pavilion, The Half Nelson, the Current Iowa hotel, and Riverboat Twilight are just a few points of interest on the Quad Cities’ Wheel the World page. Over time, Visit Quad Cities and Wheel the World will identify new and potential partners to scale this program. Intentionality around accessible tourism was identified as a gap and opportunity in Visit Quad Cities’ Tourism Master Plan under Destination Stewardship.
A seal ceremony is forthcoming to recognize Visit Quad Cities and its participating points of interest, further cementing the Quad Cities as a verified accessible destination through Wheel the World.
In October 2024, Visit Quad Cities announced its partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. This global initiative provides a discreet way for individuals with non-visible disabilities to signal that they may need extra understanding, patience, or support while navigating public spaces. As part of this effort, Visit Quad Cities staff has been trained through the Sunflower Program to better assist individuals with hidden disabilities.
Notably, Visit Quad Cities' Union Station Destination Center in Davenport is the first Sunflower-friendly location in the State of Iowa. Both Union Station and River Station Destination Center in Moline display the Sunflower decal at their entrances, signaling that these locations welcome and accommodate all visitors.
The People's Choice Award recognition underscores Visit Quad Cities’ dedication to making the region more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that all travelers, regardless of ability, can fully experience and enjoy everything the Quad Cities has to offer.
“We were honored to be among some incredible nominees — congratulations to all of them for the outstanding work they’re doing across Iowa,” added Herrell. “This award belongs to our visitors, residents, and partners who support our mission every day. We will continue to push forward with initiatives that drive accessibility and enhance the visitor experience.”
About Visit Quad Cities
Visit Quad Cities, established in 1990, is the region’s official destination marketing organization (DMO). Through tourism, Visit Quad Cities generates economic growth, fosters the visitor economy, and elevates the regional destination's global presence. An accredited DMO through Destinations International’s DMAP program, Visit Quad Cities promotes the regional brand, drives economic opportunities, invigorates visitor experience, and enhances quality of life and place for all Quad Citizens. For information, visit visitquadcities.com.
About the Iowa Tourism Office
The Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions, and events, to promote the state’s beautifully-vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $7.3 billion in expenditures in 2023, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 70,954 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.
