Emily Starnes, Executive Director of the Villages of Van Buren, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP), a statewide organization committed to advancing Iowa’s tourism industry through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
Starnes, who has led the Villages of Van Buren since 2019, brings with her a strong passion for rural tourism, economic development, and the promotion of small communities. She will serve as one of eight new board members selected for the 18-member board. Her appointment brings a strong rural voice to the table—representing not only Van Buren County, but also the broader tourism and economic development needs of southern Iowa’s small communities.
“I’m honored to serve on the iTIP Board of Directors,” said Starnes. “Tourism is absolutely vital to the sustainability of our rural towns, and I look forward to bringing that perspective into the statewide conversation. This is a valuable opportunity to work with leaders from across the state to help strengthen Iowa’s tourism industry and ensure small communities like ours are included in its future.”
iTIP recently entered its fifth fiscal year with a strengthened focus on advocacy, professional development, and promotion of Iowa as a premier destination. In FY25 alone, the organization connected with over 500 tourism professionals through statewide events, launched a new tourism education scholarship, and represented Iowa nationally through a targeted marketing campaign.
With 130 members and growing participation across all sectors, iTIP continues to unify Iowa’s tourism industry under one collaborative voice.
“Since the formation of iTIP, we’ve remained focused on building an organization that serves Iowa’s tourism professionals with purpose and impact,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of iTIP. “Entering our fifth year, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together—and we remain committed to equipping our members with the resources and relationships they need to keep Iowa competitive on the national stage.”
As iTIP enters FY26, the association is poised to build on its momentum with a continued emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and strategic advocacy. With a strong and engaged membership, dynamic leadership, and a unified vision, iTIP aims to deliver meaningful impact to communities across Iowa—both large and small.
