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CATCH Des Moines briefs Urbandale council; group says it generated $150 million in regional economic impact last year
Summary
Representatives of CATCH Des Moines presented to the council about the convention and visitors bureau’s role and recent results, saying the organization generated about $150 million in economic impact to the metro, sent 74 leads to Urbandale hotels and booked dozens of future events.
Greg Edwards, chief executive officer of CATCH Des Moines, and his staff presented an overview of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau’s work and economic impact at the council meeting on May 5.
Edwards told the council that CATCH spends about 15% of its budget on administration and the remainder on sales, marketing and servicing events. He outlined a full events calendar that the bureau promotes — from the USA Academic Decathlon and the National Speech & Debate Tournament to World Pork Expo, Ironman, IndyCar, NASCAR and the Iowa State Fair — and highlighted multi‑day events that bring thousands of visitors to the metro.
Edwards said the bureau generated about $150,000,000 in regional economic impact last fiscal year and that CATCH supplied 74 leads to Urbandale hotels; 31 of those leads turned into events held in Urbandale and 33 were booked for future dates. He emphasized that both large national events and recurring regional or mid‑sized meetings support hotel occupancy and air service and that ongoing weekly groups (100–500 people) sustain the industry.
Local speakers at the meeting — including the mayor and several council members — thanked the CATCH team for its role in promoting the region and supporting local hotels, restaurants and small businesses. CATCH staff offered to return for a lunch‑and‑learn to present statewide economic impact and Safe Routes to School partnership opportunities referenced by other presenters.
The presentation was informational; no council action was required.
