Executive Director
American Trails Redding, Calif.
Describe your event.
American Trails held the 18th National Trails Symposium October 19-22, 2006, in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. The theme was “Trails for America: Every Where, Every Way, Every Day.” The symposium was held at the beautiful RiverCenter in downtown Davenport.
What surprised you the most?
How well everyone worked together. We were very struck by how four communities and two states and several counties could all work together to promote themselves and to provide services. They also had a seamless and beautifully constructed trail system. Our attendees could hop on a bicycle and ride for 500 miles starting right from the Quad Cities! This is a major crossroad for trails.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
I think our attendees enjoyed the sincere and enthusiastic hospitality of the community.
Was anybody particularly helpful at a venue or property?
Joe Taylor, president of the Quad Cities CVB, and his staff were the perfect partners. Rick E. Palmer, executive director of the RiverCenter, made his staff very available to us and rolled out the red carpet for us. Our four host hotels were also great: the Radisson in Davenport, the Radisson on John Deere Commons and Stoney Creek Inn in Moline, and the Four Points by Sheraton in Rock Island.
What were some of the unique off-site venues that you used for events or meetings?
Black Hawk State Historical Park was a lovely meeting site for some of our smaller workshops.
Did you incorporate any interesting activities into the agenda?
Our people loved our party aboard the Celebration Belle riverboat.
Would you return?
Absolutely!