IOWA ATTRACTIONS, BUSINESSES, TOURISM OFFICE, LOTTERY JOIN IN SUMMER TOURISM PUSH

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 "Keep Your Powerball Ticket Handy!" logo

 Lottery CEO Terry Rich with Iowa Tourism Office Manager Nancy Landess

Promotion Will Focus On Encouraging People To Travel and Save in Iowa

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Businesses across the state have joined with the Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Lottery in an initiative designed to encourage people to travel Iowa this summer, frequent Iowa attractions and businesses, and give the entire state a boost in these tough economic times.

The Tourism Office and Lottery are spearheading the initiative, which will mean special offers to popular events and attractions and discounts on a host of products for those who have a Powerball ticket. The project was announced Friday during the annual Iowa Tourism Unity Day, an event in West Des Moines attended by tourism enthusiasts from across the state.

"It's about the state, Iowa communities and Iowa businesses banding together to help ourselves," said Nancy Landess, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office. "Iowans have always helped their neighbors and their communities during tough times - this is just a new take on that."

The slogan of the campaign, which will kick off in early May, is "Keep Your Powerball Ticket Handy." The Iowa Lottery and several of Iowa's most popular destinations will give special offers to customers who purchase a Powerball ticket.

Those featured attractions announced at the event include the Iowa Speedway in Newton; Honey Creek Resort in Moravia; Adventureland amusement park in Altoona; Riverboat Twilight, which offers riverboat trips from Le Claire to Dubuque; Kings Pointe Waterpark Resort in Storm Lake; Iowa Marriott Hotels at special participating locations; FunCity amusement park in Burlington; and the Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque.

Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich said he thinks the campaign is unique in the United States in that state entities and private businesses are teaming up to collectively help the state weather the current economic storm.

"There are lots of reports about people looking for 'staycation' ideas this summer that allow them to economically spend their time off close to home," Rich said. "This initiative fits the bill perfectly by giving folks discounts they can use as they visit sites across Iowa!"

Rich said that the campaign will start May 3 with the lottery's "Big Beepin' Deal" promotion. Through late May, for every 20th $10 Powerball® with Power Play® purchase made statewide, the lottery terminal will make a beeping sound like a car horn and the customer who purchased the ticket will win $20 cash on the spot.

The Iowa attractions that are part of the campaign will make their own special offers to Powerball players in Iowa during the summer. The offers begin May 3 and will change with each Powerball drawing. Players can learn about the latest special deals by visiting www.ialottery.com or www.traveliowa.com.

A lottery "Prize Patrol" team will extend the campaign even further by visiting Iowa festivals, fairs and other local events during May and June to give out free merchandise and other special offers.

Rich said the entire campaign is designed to drive more customers to Iowa attractions and businesses, helping them at a crucial time during this down economy.

"We want our Iowa attractions and businesses to succeed because with the business taxes they produce and the jobs and revenue they provide, they're the backbone of our communities," Rich said. "We hope to drive millions of dollars in new or additional business into Iowa this summer."

Landess and Rich invite Iowa attractions and businesses of all types to join in the campaign by making special offers to Powerball players. They said that for example, grocery stores could offer discounts on staples such as milk and bread; convenience stores could make special offers for drinks or snacks; restaurants could make special meal deals; and movie theatres could offer discounts on ticket prices.

"By working together, we can lift ourselves up," Landess said. "It's a great opportunity for people to get out and explore Iowa - and save money while they're doing it."

Attractions and businesses that are interested in being a part of the campaign can contact the Lottery or the Tourism Office for more information. The contact information is: