Iowa League of Cities holds conference in Bettendorf

The Iowa League of Cities held its annual conference and exhibit in Bettendorf for the first time this week. From Wednesday, September 23 through Friday, September 25. Hundreds of city officials from across the state traveled to the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf for the three-day event from Sept. 23 – 25, the League’s largest educational offering of the year.

"The innovative leadership and can-do spirit of our hosts in Bettendorf was evident throughout the week,” said League Director Mickey Shields. “The City of Bettendorf, Visit Quad Cities, and the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf made everyone feel welcome, and the attendees had an amazing experience. Planning for this conference began nearly a year ago, and our Quad Cities partners were incredible to work with. The pride they have in Bettendorf and the entire region came through in all our discussions.”

City officials attended sessions on municipal government issues during the conference and networked with colleagues at several events, including one featuring a special appearance by Rob Wolfe from American Pickers. Attendees took buses and golf carts to learn about a wide variety of local amenities, developments and community partnerships, including the TBK Bank Sports Complex, Iron Tee Golf, The Plex, The Oculus on the I-74 Bridge, The Landing, The Learning Campus, Downtown Bettendorf, flood mitigation infrastructure along the Mississippi River and outreach vehicles from the Family Museum, the Bettendorf Public Library, STEAM on Wheels and the Quad City Botanical Center.

“This event is really about building relationships and learning from experts as city officials come together in one place to talk through the issues we’re all facing and try to find common ground as well as solutions that best fit our communities,” said Mayor Bob Gallagher. “This is an awesome conference, and we’re so proud we were able to host it and showcase this part of the state.”

“This week, we were able to reinforce to our guests that we are a region on the move and that there is a tremendous amount of positive momentum happening here in Bettendorf and the entire Quad Cities region,” said Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell. “We were thrilled that the Iowa League of Cities selected the City of Bettendorf for their Annual Conference & Exhibit, and we can’t thank the City of Bettendorf elected leaders and professional staff enough for embracing the Iowa League of Cities opportunity to ensure that we deliver our world-class hospitality to all attendees. It’s been a privilege to work alongside them and the team at the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf in the planning and execution of this major even.”

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