Welcome! We invite your application if your small retail or specialty business is located in these cities: Prairie City, Monroe, Pella, New Sharon, Oskaloosa, Otley, Knoxville, rural Leighton (Hwy 163), or on the route between these cities (see map below). So close? Businesses located within one mile of the mapped route may also apply.
We also invite your pop-up business application if your business is located in Marion, Mahaska, or Jasper counties.
The route is designed intentionally with this goal: To provide an interesting mix of retail experiences within a mapped footprint that can attract the most shoppers. The route will be finalized and marketed in virtual map format to the public when all participating businesses are confirmed. The route is not designed to exclude, but to create an event with the strongest possible day trip attraction for travelers, to help revitalize your small business and your local economy.
Retail Business Participation Rules – please read carefully
This is a juried retail event. For everyone’s benefit, all businesses (including pop-up vendors) wishing to participate are required to apply separately and provide product descriptions, to help us promote and place vendors selling similar items at different map stops.
Brick & mortar businesses may invite additional pop-up vendors to your location. This can generate more sales for your own business, as multiple businesses at the same map location motivates more shoppers to stop. Pop-up business names are listed with yours on the map. However, the vendors you host must submit a separate application and be approved for this event. Failure of a pop-up vendor at your location to submit a separate application will disqualify both you and the pop up from future events.
Every participating business (including pop-up) must be open all hours of this two-day event. Pop-up vendors should indicate on the application form if they wish our assistance in finding a location on the event route. Likewise, brick & mortar businesses should indicate in their application if they wish our assistance in adding additional vendors to their location. We will communicate with businesses before assigning pop-up vendors.
Direct sales (such as party-plan and door-to-door) are not permitted during this event. If your business offers direct sale or other MLM (multi-level marketing) products, pull these items during the event hours.
Every event business (including pop-up) will be marketed in several ways:
- Each business will be individually featured on the Great Iowa Road Trip Facebook event page. The photos you submit for this application will be used to promote your business.
- Your business name and direct links to your website or Facebook page will be featured in one convenient location on our event Facebook page, so shoppers easily become more informed and eager to come visit your business.
- Your business will also be a numbered stop on the virtual map created for the event, with a corresponding listing of each business.
- Your business will also be included in event promotion by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, County Extension offices, local Chamber/ economic development organizations and other sponsoring organizations.
Specialty: Attractions, Restaurants and Lodging
This event also accepts applications from specialty businesses, such as restaurants, ice cream and coffee shops, hotels, attractions, and event venues located on this route. These businesses will receive the same event promotions provided to the other businesses; however, specialty businesses may keep their normal business hours, and are not obligated to remain open all hours of the event. Instead, they must list their open hours on the application form. Attractions should also provide any admission/activity fees and times of special note, such as guided tours or live demonstrations. Specialty business names, addresses, and hours are listed with a city, but do not have a pinned location on the map.
Important Dates: Monday, March 15: Application deadline. There is no cost to apply.
All applications go through a jury process, and you will be notified if your application is accepted no later than Monday, March 22.
Your $100 payment and signed contract are due by Friday, March 26.
Questions? Email Diane Van Wyngarden at dvw@iastate.edu, or send a message from the “Great Iowa Road Trip” Facebook page www.facebook.com/ReviveIowaEconomy.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Great Iowa Road Trip - Southern Iowa Edition
Coordinator: Diane Van Wyngarden, Tourism Economic Development Specialist
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
In partnership with:
Jasper County ISU Extension www.extension.iastate.edu/jasper/
Knoxville Chamber of Commerce https://www.knoxvilleiachamber.com/
Mahaska Chamber and Development Group www.mahaskachamber.org/
Mahaska County ISU Extension www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/
Main Street Oskaloosa www.mahaskachamber.org/mainstreet/
Marion County Development www.marioncountyiowa.com/
Marion County ISU Extension www.extension.iastate.edu/marion/
Visit Pella www.visitpella.com/
Community and Economic Development of ISU Extension
www.extension.iastate.edu/communities/programs-and-services