WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Kum & Go Stores LC has partnered with the Iowa Wine Growers Association (IWGA) to create a travel package for wine tourists, The Iowa Wine Companion, designed to help them save money and encourage them to spend their travel dollars with Iowa-based businesses.A Kum & Go coupon book containing $50 in money saving vouchers, which may be redeemed at any Kum & Go location for discounts on merchandise, is included in the publication.
The package also contains discount coupons to be redeemed at participating Iowa wineries, a directory [image-nocss] of Kum & Go locations, a directory of Iowa's wineries, directories for B&Bs throughout the state and other useful information. The Iowa Wine Companion sells for $15 and will be available for the first time at the Iowa Wine Garden at the 2010 Iowa State Fair.
The companion is designed to fit conveniently in a glove compartment.
A recently completed economic impact study has shown that Iowa's wine industry contributes nearly $235 million dollars to Iowa's economy, said Kevin Smith, president of the IWGA. "The data also shows that our wine industry creates almost $28 million in tourist spending annually. With the current recession, many people are taking their vacations closer to home. It makes sense to us that our association should be doing whatever it can to help make travel in Iowa more fun, efficient and inexpensive. We also think it make sense to encourage tourists to spend their travel, food and lodging money with other fellow Iowans," he said.
"At Kum & Go, we are always looking for ways to enhance the quality of life for Iowa citizens," said Kevin Krause, senior vice president of marketing for West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go. "Our relationship with the Iowa Wine Growers Association allows us to support an organization that provides an economic impact to Iowa."
Kum & Go debuted its own private-label wines in 2008. (Click here for previous CSP Daily News coverage.)
The IWGA is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing the crafts of viticulture and enology in the state of Iowa. With more than 80 licensed wineries and nearly 1,200 acres of vineyards, Iowa's grape and wine industry is regaining the strength it once had in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Representing a majority of the grape growers and wine makers in Iowa, IWGA acts as an industry clearing house, provides resources for those considering a vineyard or winery, lobbies for legislation that is responsive to the needs of the industry and works to advance the success of its members throughout the state of Iowa.
Family-owned Kum & Go has 430 convenience stores in 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming). In addition to a wide selection of products, Kum & Go provides customers a proprietary mix of products under the Hiland brand name. Other proprietary product offerings include Java Ridge Premium Coffee, Napa Creek and Sea Ridge wines, Go Fresh Market sandwiches and Nuclear energy drinks.
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