Ames Convention and Visitor Bureau

President/CEO Kevin Bourke of the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau {ACVB} was recently the featured speaker at the Ames Golden K Kiwanis 9AM weekly meeting, which continues to be held virtually. Bourke is well-known in Central Iowa as the former Cross Country/Track coach at Iowa State University and for his successful role with the Iowa Sports Foundation as Director of the Iowa Games.
Bourke noted the functional differences between the City of Ames, Chamber of Commerce and ACVB promotional activities. ACVB is funded from a portion of the Ames Hotel/Motel tax.  ACVB’s partnership with ISU for Conference planning and management is like no other in the USA–and is the envy of many similar communities throughout the United States.  ACVB’s mission is to increase economic development thru visitors to Ames, have a passion for Ames and ISU, excellence in service, innovation in all areas, always take the initiative, and teamwork in all aspects. The economic impact of tourism/visitors for ISU and Ames events/conventions totaled $341 Million in 2019.  COVID-19 has had a negative impact on Ames and ISU, as many events were cancelled, or attendance was severely limited. An example is the $18MM revenue loss experienced by Ames hotels/motels since March 2020.  It is estimated that the 2019 revenue levels will not be reached until 2024.  The ACVB’s Ames Community Grants program is continuing but has been somewhat scaled down for 2021.
Bourke concluded his remarks on an optimistic note, noting that ACVB has 136 events already booked for 2021/22 and 170 events that they are actively pursuing.  ACVB will also be focusing on new opportunities in booking youth conferences, ISU prospective student/families’ visits, increased interaction with ISU’s Admissions Department, possibly moving the ACVB office closer to the I-35/US 30 interchange and creating a Welcome Center to attract visitors from the 60,000 vehicles that pass through the area daily.

Iowa Turkey Federation

Gretta Irwin, Executive Director of the Iowa Turkey Federation, recently spoke to Golden K members at their weekly Thursday 9AM “virtual” meeting.   Ms. Irwin, who has been with the Turkey Federation for 26 years, shared a number of fascinating insights about the Iowa and U.S.A. Turkey Industry:  

  • Minnesota is the USA #1 producer; Iowa is #7, but is #2 in Jobs and Wages, contributing $685 Million yearly to the Iowa economy. Top cost to producers is grain for feed. 
  • Each turkey raised in Iowa adds $30 to the Iowa economy. One turkey produces over $1 of Iowa grown fertilizer.  
  • Iowa is #5 nationally in Turkey Processing, with Tyson Foods in Storm Lake and West Liberty Foods being the major processors, and producing packaged Turkey used for well-known brands like Jimmy Dean Foods, Jimmy Johns, and Subway.  
  • A Turkey Hatchery is located in Osceola, IA. 50 million turkeys are hatched per year and are supplied to Iowa producers and many producers in states surrounding Iowa.
  • Iowa turkeys are raised in large open area barns. A sanitary environment is paramount, and all turkeys are tested before being released for processing.
  • Iowa State University Poultry Farms is building a state-of-the-art Turkey Research facility, with ground- breaking scheduled for April 2021. 
  • The Thanksgiving 2020 “Presidential Pardon” Turkeys Corn and Cob are now housed at the ISU Poultry Farm facility. A You Tube video documenting their adventure at the White House is available.


Irwin concluded her presentation by noting that the Federation will be publishing a new cookbook in 2021 titled “Everyday Turkey”.

Ames Park & Recreation

Keith Abraham, Director of Ames Parks and Recreation, was the guest speaker at a recent Ames Golden K Kiwanis Thursday meeting, which continues to be held virtually.  Mr. Abraham, a 27-year Parks and Rec veteran, has served as its Director since 2013.  Abraham provided a comprehensive overview of the recently completed Ames Miracle League Park, including a visual “walk-thru” of the playground equipment, and details regarding the transfer of ownership from the Ames Foundation to the City of Ames. He stressed that those of all ages and abilities can use the Playground and the Park.  Abraham also updated members on projects that are currently planned, in process or completed:  

Inis Grove Park–Restrooms are being remodeled and motion sensors installed.–

Bandshell Park–New Lighting–

Brookside Park–New Restrooms–

River Valley Park Low Head Dam Improvements, including a Kayak Path, Fish Paths, Pedestrian Paths and Parking Lots.–

Homewood Park Clubhouse–Demolish and Rebuild–

Sunset Ridge Park {N. of Wilder}–Install Playground–

Establishment of Tahira & Labh Hira Park at the Old Edwards School Site–

Downtown Plaza–Awaiting City Council Approval/Guidance–

Pickleball Courts–Now available at McCarthy Lee Park–

Accessible Kayak/Canoe Launching Area–If fundraising successful, will be installed at Ada Hayden Park.–

Ames Foundation Tree Planting throughout Ames to replace Ash Trees and trees destroyed in the August Derecho–

New Pedestrian Bridge from McCarthy Lee Park to Oakland Street–Nearing completion

Early Ames Transportation

Former Cy Ride Director Bob Bourne, a well-known expert in Iowa transportation history, spoke recently to a virtual audience of Ames Golden K members and guests.  Bob, who is very active in the Ames History Museum, focused his remarks and accompanying photos/maps on the events from the mid 1800’s thru 1907 that shaped the development of rail and bus service within Ames and Central Iowa.  This included:

1860’s-1880’s–Horsecar driven street railway conveyances were common in Ames and many Iowa cities.

1888–First electric trolley was introduced in Richmond, Va.; however, no electric plant in Ames until 1896, although ISU conducted a feasibility study for electric trolleys, anticipating electricity coming to Ames.


1891-1907–The Ames and ISU “Dinkey” service from Onondaga {now Main} St. to “The Hub” located on ISU Central Campus was a highly successful venture with well-known Ames citizens as incorporators.  Transportation for Ames and ISU residents was very profitable, but with the introduction of the steam locomotive in 1884, materials for Campus construction as well as coal were transported via Dinkey.  Rail sizes were small, so walking and bike riding on the Dinkey roadbed was common.

1907- Other more efficient modes of transportation caused the Dinkey to stop operations 9/6/2007. The Dinkey served 2.1million passengers {133,000 yearly average} during its 16-year existence. 
Bourne concluded his remarks by briefly reviewing passenger rail transportation milestones occurring from 1907-1925,  including the Newton & NW and Electric Interurban Railways, which had a terminal located at Lincoln Way and Grand.  After 1925, motorized Bus transportation replaced much of the need for electric railway transportation.