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A train rumbles past our new Union Station studio as we kick off a candid, future-facing look at what makes the Quad Cities move: river, road, rail and a visitor economy ready to surge in 2026. We walk through the marquee wins already on the books and the quiet engine behind them: high-impact group tourism that fills weeknights, fuels local businesses, and lifts community pride.

From multi-week bowling tournament and the nation’s largest D3 women’s wrestling invitational to the LBAA women’s bass fishing tournament on the Mississippi, we unpack how sports tourism transforms venues and storefronts across the region. Then we stack championship golf, NAIA Men’s at TPC Deere Run, MVC Women’s, and the new NJCAA D1 Women’s at Oakwood, creating a rare doubleheader that cements the Quad Cities as a championship-ready destination. The spotlight widens with SAFECON, the collegiate aviation finals hosted with the Quad Cities International Airport, drawing top talent and industry leaders for weeks of competition while commercial service keeps humming.

We pull back the curtain on how these wins actually happen: relentless sales, trade shows, RFP strategy, and partner alignment in a fiercely competitive market. That’s why a facilities and venues master plan is next. This is an honest audit of event space to modernize aging assets, close gaps, and prevent the costly drip of lost business. Along the way, we tap the power of digital trails to convert meetings into longer stays: the John Deere Trail for heritage lovers and the upcoming Rock Island Arsenal Trail to unlock America 250 stories with tours, events, and self-guided discovery.

Visitor trends show fewer trips but longer stays; we’re ready with authentic experiences, QC-style pizza, local makers, and a vibe that’s world-class yet hassle-free. International travelers find the real Midwest here, supported by partners like Travel Iowa, Enjoy Illinois, and Brand USA. Resident sentiment tells us pride is rising and tourism’s benefits are clear: more tax revenue, better amenities, and a stronger brand. Help us keep the momentum: share the show, rate and review, subscribe for more stories, and Bring It QC—what event or association will you help us host next?

QC, That's Where is a podcast powered by Visit Quad Cities. Through the people, partnerships, and personalities woven throughout the Quad Cities region, you'll meet real Quad Citizens and hear the untold stories of the region.
Follow Visit Quad Cities on social media and never miss an episode of #QCThatsWhere.
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A city can whisper its story before anyone speaks—the curve of a bridge, the hum of a market, the glow of a fourth‑generation soda fountain. We sit down with PBS host and producer Darley Newman of 'Travels with Darley' to explore how travel becomes a public service when it lifts up people, preserves memory, and invites visitors to feel at home in places they’ve never been. From goat trekking in Galena and hand‑built treehouses off the Great River Road to the living history of Rock Island Arsenal, Darley shows how the Midwest’s quiet details reveal big character.

We also pull back the curtain on building a modern travel brand across PBS, Amazon Prime, YouTube, iHeart, and more. Darlie shares practical storytelling tactics—why you don’t need to be everywhere, how to pick the platform your audience actually uses, and how to craft tight, emotional reels that say more in 60 seconds than a brochure says in ten pages. Her lens on makers and small businesses—think Dot’s Pots, Navarro Canoe, Boetje's Mustard—highlights why hands‑on experiences anchor destination marketing: they turn curiosity into connection and visitors into champions.

The conversation stretches beyond leisure to moments that stay with you. Filming along Alabama’s Civil Rights Trail, Darley met women who lived the movement as children—stories that command attention and humility. In Santa Fe, a quiet session with horses reshaped what presence can feel like. Those experiences, and simple plans for Darley’s return to the Quad Cities—walking the bridge, meeting more entrepreneurs, tasting Quad City style pizza—underline a core belief: design for memory, not just metrics. If you care about authentic travel, community storytelling, and finding hidden gems along the Mississippi River and beyond, you’ll feel right at home here. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves regional road trips, and leave a review with your favorite local maker we should feature next.

QC, That's Where is a podcast powered by Visit Quad Cities. Through the people, partnerships, and personalities woven throughout the Quad Cities region, you'll meet real Quad Citizens and hear the untold stories of the region.
Follow Visit Quad Cities on social media and never miss an episode of #QCThatsWhere.
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Discover the remarkable story behind the Mississippi Dragon Boat Festival, a new event coming to the Quad Cities waterfront that blends ancient tradition with a compassionate purpose.

At the heart of it is Lexi Doxsee, Communications and Event Manager at Cancer Support Community of Iowa & NW Illinois at Gilda’s Club. She has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, weaving together cultural celebration and community spirit into an inaugural fundraiser that reflects both her creativity and her passion for helping others.

Dragon boat racing is more than just a spectacle. With teams paddling in unison to the beat of a drummer, it’s a powerful metaphor for the strength found in community and the resilience of those facing cancer. One of the most moving parts of the festival will be the inclusion of a boat of cancer survivors among the competing teams—an inspiring symbol of courage and unity.

Beyond the races, visitors can expect food vendors, craft booths, and family activities at Westlake on September 20th. It’s an event designed not only to raise support for vital services but also to bring people together in celebration, healing, and hope.

Lexi's personal journey in the nonprofit sector reflects her deep love for the Quad Cities and its people. She has seen firsthand how businesses, volunteers, and neighbors consistently step up to ensure no one faces cancer alone. The Mississippi Dragon Boat Festival is the latest example of that spirit in action—and a testament to Lexi's vision and dedication.

Join the fun and fundraising on September 20, 2025 at West Lake for this unique celebration of community, courage, and compassion. As Lexi reminds us, the Quad Cities is a place where community is always stronger than cancer.

Learn more about the Mississippi Valley Dragon Boat Festival here

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QC, That's Where is a podcast powered by Visit Quad Cities. Through the people, partnerships, and personalities woven throughout the Quad Cities region, you'll meet real Quad Citizens and hear the untold stories of the region.
Follow Visit Quad Cities on social media and never miss an episode of #QCThatsWhere.
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