Several businesses and individuals were recognized Wednesday evening for their work in support of the Central Iowa tourism and hospitality industry during Catch Des Moines’ annual celebration. The awards recognized businesses and individuals for their work in making Greater Des Moines a better place to visit, live and work from July 2021 through June 2022. Three additional businesses were recognized with Visitor Choice Awards, chosen through online voting. At the event, held at Toast in the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny, Catch Des Moines also rolled out updated branding with the evolution of its “The S’s Are Silent” campaign into a tagline of “Only the S’s Are Silent.” It also introduced a new 30-second commercial and updated color and look. Greg Edwards, president and CEO of Catch Des Moines, said the event offered an opportunity to celebrate all that was accomplished over the past year. “If this last year has taught us anything, it’s that people missed the personal connections and communal nature of everything from going out to restaurants to attending big events,” he said. “And when it comes to hosting visitors, no one does it better than Greater Des Moines.” The award winners were:

• Catch Des Moines Champion: Blake Jensen.  
• Community Champion: Sgt. Chip Beardsley with the Des Moines Police Department.
• Corporate Champion: MidAmerican Energy.
• Partner Champion: Full Court Press.
• Spirit of Hospitality: Des Moines Marriott Downtown.
• Tourism Champion: Sen. Carrie Koelker.
• Spirit of the Community: Gary Slater.

Visitor Choice Awards

• Attraction of the Year: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
• Hotel of the Year: Hotel Fort Des Moines.
• Restaurant of the Year: Centro.