Iowans "Have It Made" On August 9th at the Iowa State Fair

Iowa Life-Changing Day Will Celebrate Recreation, Tourism and Career Opportunities in the State

Des Moines, Monday, July 30, 2007 – The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) will celebrate Iowa’s extraordinary outdoor recreation, wonderful tourism attractions, expanding businesses and tremendous job opportunities during “Iowa life|changing Day” August 9, opening day of the 2007 Iowa State Fair. The day’s theme will be “We Have It Made in Iowa.”

“The people of Iowa enjoy a rich business environment, plentiful job opportunities, four beautiful seasons, and a quality of life that is second to none,” said Iowa Governor Chet Culver. “And nothing symbolizes the excitement of an Iowa summer more than the Iowa State Fair, our largest tourism attraction. I encourage everyone to take time out of their busy schedules and visit the fair. When they do, I know they will discover that here in Iowa, we really do have it made.”

Tourism industry partners will now be located in Iowa Tourism Hall, the south conference rooms of the Varied Industries Building. The building is a perennial favorite of Fairgoers and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

“We encourage all Fairgoers to stop by and visit the tourism exhibits,” said Iowa Tourism Office Manager Nancy Landess. “With representatives on hand from many attractions and destinations, it’s a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and pick up ideas on other great Iowa trips.”

Visitors to the Iowa Tourism Office’s exhibit can register to win a $150 gift card from Choice Hotels of Iowa each day of the Fair.

Iowa Tourism Hall and the Varied Industries Building are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. People who are unable to attend the Fair can still register to win one of the Choice Hotels gift cards by visiting TravelIowa.com. The Iowa State Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines.

Tourism is a $5.4 billion industry in Iowa, employing more than 62,300 people statewide and generating more than $280 million in state taxes. The Iowa Tourism Office is part of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. For more information about Iowa tourism, visit www.traveliowa.com , call 800.345.IOWA or stop at any Iowa Welcome Center.

Top Ten Reasons “Iowans Have It Made”

10) Iowa is affordable. Iowa ranks as the 8th most-affordable place to live in the nation.1 And Iowans spent the 2nd-lowest percentage of income on housing costs nationwide.2

9) Iowa is a great place for outdoor fun. There are over 600 miles of trails for hiking and biking within Iowa’s state parks and recreation areas.3 And Iowa has the highest number of nine-hole golf courses per capita than any other state.4

8) Iowa consistently ranks as one of the most livable states in the country. 5

7) Iowa’s economy has diversified greatly from one dominated by agriculture a couple generations ago, to one that includes major employers in the fields of advanced manufacturing, financial services / information technologies, renewable energy and biosciences. These industries are expanding Iowa’s economy and creating job opportunities across the state.

6) Eight metros in Iowa are ranked among the best places in America to start a business or career: Des Moines, Davenport-Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Ames, Iowa City, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Dubuque and Sioux City.6

5) Iowa has great public schools. Iowa is home to three world-class universities, helping us stay on the cutting-edge of innovation and technology. And our state has the third-highest public high school graduation rate in the United States.7

4) Iowa is first in the nation in the percentage of people covered by health insurance. 8

3) Iowa is the nation’s undisputed leader in the production of renewable energy. Iowa is first in the nation in the production of ethanol and biodiesel, and third in the production of wind energy.

2) Iowans are some of the nicest, kindest, most hard-working folks in the country. 9

1) The Iowa State Fair. Enough said.

Citations:

1) U.S. Census Bureau, 2006,
2) Morgan Quitno, 2007,
3) Iowa Department of Transportation, 2006,
4) National Golf Foundation, 2005,
5) Morgan Quitno, 2007,
6) Forbes, 2007,
7) Morgan Quitno, 2007,
8) United Health Foundation, 2006,
9) Gov. Chet Culver’s Personal Experience, 2007

Source: Office of the Governor & Lt. Governor

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