Pair of Allamakee County entities honored by Iowa Travel Industry Partners

Jackie Cooper of Main Street Lansing is a Rising Star honoree; Friends of Yellow River State Forest receives 2026 Sustainability Initiative Award

Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP), the leading statewide association of the tourism and hospitality industry, has announced the recipients of the annual iTIP Awards. The awards ceremony was scheduled to take place at the iTIP annual meeting Tuesday, June 9 in Amana, and two Allamakee County entities are among the recipients of this year’s awards.

Jackie Cooper, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, is being recognized as a Rising Star in the Small Market category. Rising Star is an award recognizing someone new to the Iowa tourism industry within the past five years who has demonstrated leadership, commitment, and passion for the Iowa travel industry.

Friends of Yellow River State Forest also received the Sustainability Initiative Award in the Small Market category. Sustainability Initiative Awards recognize efforts that reduce the impact of human activity on the environment while promoting tourism in Iowa.

Some of the award categories contained subsections based on market size, such as those won by the two Allamakee County entities. Small Market awards included cities with a population under 10,000. Medium Market is a population 10,000-30,000. Large Market is larger than 30,000. Further details of the annual meeting and awards program can be found at IowaTravelIndustry.org.

RISING STAR
Jackie Cooper, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, was recognized for her outstanding leadership and impact on community-driven tourism in Iowa. According to her nomination information for the award, since stepping into her role in 2024, Cooper has led Lansing through a period of revitalization, launching numerous events and initiatives that strengthen the downtown, support local businesses, and draw visitors to the community.

With more than a decade of nonprofit experience, Cooper has combined creative programming, strong partnerships, and a deep passion for place to help build a vibrant, welcoming destination. Her work reflects a strong commitment to strengthening Iowa communities through tourism-led economic development.

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
Friends of Yellow River State Forest was recognized for its outstanding leadership in sustainability and conservation. Through strategic investments and volunteer-driven initiatives, the nonprofit has helped protect the forest’s natural resources while enhancing visitor experiences. Projects include installing a 42-panel solar array that supplies more than 70 percent of the forest’s electricity needs, restoring over 2,000 feet of eroding streambanks, and expanding native prairie and wildlife habitats.

The organization also demonstrates a deep commitment to education and community engagement, offering year-round programs and volunteer opportunities while reinvesting more than $210,000 back into Yellow River State Forest to preserve it for future generations.

Friends of Yellow River State Forest has also planted more than $6,000 worth of trees in the campgrounds, installed an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant fishing area and and lessened the light pollution in the State Forest.

“Everything we do aligns with our Mission Statement of enhancing the use of Yellow River State Forest while protecting the flora, fauna, water and dark skies,” says Friends of Yellow River State Forest Board member Kelli Boylen.

“We raise funds by selling firewood, our May trail run, memberships and donations, and 100 percent of money raised is reinvested into the forest.”

ABOUT THE AWARDS
The iTIP Awards are open to all individuals, private businesses, for-profit and non-profit organizations offering a tourism and/or hospitality service in Iowa. Nominations occurred throughout the spring with the iTIP Foundation Board of Trustees scoring the applications. Recipients were nominated by their peers.

“Tourism is powered by people who care deeply about their communities and the experiences they create for others,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP). “These recipients are the individuals and organizations that consistently go the extra mile, and their work deserves to be recognized and celebrated.”