Speaking at Destination QC! on Accessible Travel as a Panelist in the Quad Cities
It was wonderful to return to the Quad Cities, widely recognized as the Creative Capital of the Midwest! My previous visit was just last November, when I partnered with Visit Quad Cities, the region’s official destination marketing organization, founded in 1990, to create festive holiday content. This time, I was honored to join as a panelist speaker at the Destination QC! conference on Thursday, November 13th, from 3:30 to 5:30PM, where I discussed accessible travel and strategies to enhance accessibility. It was truly inspiring to witness firsthand the energy, creativity, and the innovation that make the Quad Cities such a unique and vibrant place to explore.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Returning to the Creative Capital of the Midwest
Arrival at Rhythm City Casino Resort
My day began at the Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, Iowa, where Visit Quad Cities celebrated its 35th anniversary. The conference venue provided an ideal base to connect with attendees and immerse myself in the excitement of the event.
Breakfast at Draft Day Sports Lounge
After breakfast at Draft Day Sports Lounge, Kayla Morath-Bustamante from Visit Quad Cities guided me through the day’s schedule, ensuring everything was seamless and accessible.
Interview with the Quad-City Times
My first stop was an interview with Gretchen Teske, lead business journalist at the Quad-City Times. Supported by my ASL interpreter, Bambi Suits, this was an excellent opportunity to spotlight the region’s tourism initiatives and community impact.
Rehearsal at Rhythm City Casino Resort
Following the interview, I rehearsed on stage with Lea Nelson, Darley Newman, and Steven Pedigo. Katrina Keuning conducted a thorough review of the setup, checked sightlines, and confirmed that I had clear, consistent visual access to the ASL interpreters.
Lunch at Exotic Thai
After the rehearsal, we ate out for lunch at Exotic Thai, a restaurant that blends traditional Thai staples with more creative, ‘exotic’ dishes before the main event. I tried the Gai Kua (Chicken Noodles) and it was fantastic! Thanks to Bambi Suits for the wonderful recommendation and for introducing me to the owner! I was surprised to learn that she also owns other Thai restaurants in the Quad Cities, including LemonGrass Cafe, where I had dined previously.
Destination QC! Conference 2025: Celebrating 35 Years of Tourism and Community Impact in the Quad Cities
The Destination QC! Conference officially kicked off with an inspiring address from Jennifer Sautter, Board Chair of Visit Quad Cities, setting the stage for a dynamic program centered on community growth and economic development. The event brought together approximately 400 attendees, including local leaders, tourism professionals, and passionate residents, all united by their passion for the Quad Cities and dedication to fostering its continued growth.
Honoring Excellence: The 2025 Award Recipients
The conference paused to recognize the dedication of individuals whose work goes above and beyond to strengthen the Quad Cities community and visitor experience.
Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) of the Year Award
This award recognizes a CTA who goes above and beyond to create exceptional visitor experiences while showing the Quad Cities’ welcoming, service-minded spirit.
- Valerie Kimler, Operations Lead at the John Deere Pavilion, was honored this year for her exceptional leadership, community engagement, and operational excellence. Valerie is passionate about sharing the area’s rich heritage and ensuring that visitors from around the world feel warmly welcomed.
Destination Impact Awards
The 2025 Destination Impact Awards honored individuals making a lasting difference across the Quad Cities region:
- Deb and Dean Mathias (Cycling & Infrastructure): Lifelong Quad Citizens and cycling advocates, they successfully advanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including securing access on the new I-74 bridge and expanding initiatives like Bike to Work Week. Their endowment ensures a lasting legacy of active, sustainable living.
Decker Ploehn (City Leadership): The Bettendorf City Administrator was recognized for decades of dedicated service and leadership. From his early career as a police chief to overseeing major projects like the I-74 bridge, Decker is celebrated for his mentorship, volunteerism, and his signature rallying cry, “Yeah, baby!”
Denise Bulat (Regional Planning): As Executive Director of the Bi-State Regional Commission, she has been a driving force behind regional planning, transportation, and community development. Her leadership has been instrumental in connecting communities and supporting sustainable growth.
Jeff Nelson (Public Transit): The recently retired CEO of MetroLINK spent over 40 years advancing public transportation in the Quad Cities. His work in multimodal connectivity and community-focused design has significantly strengthened mobility and economic growth for the region.
Why the Quad Cities Thrives
Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, emphasized just how crucial tourism is to the region:
“Tourism and non-resident revenues are driving the Quad Cities’ growth, strengthening our regional economy and solidifying our competitive positioning. Destination QC! provides a valuable moment to celebrate 35 years of tourism, demonstrate its positive impact on our community, and recognize outstanding leaders who continue to shape and inspire the region.”
The experience reaffirmed why the Quad Cities continues to thrive as a Midwest destination: its rich heritage, innovative spirit, and the dedication of individuals and organizations like Visit Quad Cities, which works tirelessly to create welcoming experiences for both visitors and residents.
Panel Discussion: Tourism, Accessibility, and Community Development
Thought-Leader Insights
The session featured thought-leading presentations from three voices in tourism, accessibility, and community development joined the panel discussion:
Darley Newman: Emmy Award-winning host of Travels with Darley and Equitrekking, shared insights from over a decade of exploring cultures, destinations, and cuisines across more than 50 countries and 40 U.S. states.
Lily Yu (That’s me!): Deaf travel content creator and founder of Deaf Journey, a platform dedicated to promoting accessible and inclusive travel experiences worldwide. I have collaborated more than 50 tourism boards to create stories that celebrate culture, accessibility, and authentic connections.
Steven Pedigo: Educator, entrepreneur, and placemaker, shared strategies for building resilient, inclusive communities. Steven, who contributed to the Quad Cities Destination and Strategic Vision, offered strategies for building resilient, inclusive communities.
The Visit Quad Cities team showcased my reel featuring accessible experiences in Vienna, a project created last September in partnership with Austria Tourism. Following the audience’s warm applause, I shared my personal accessibility journey and emphasized the importance of inclusive travel.
I reflected on my experiences exploring the Quad Cities, including my visit last November during the festive holiday season. Memorable examples of inclusive design included the Figge Art Museum, where a private ASL-interpreted tour made the fascinating exhibits fully accessible, to Bix Bistro, where an iPad menu with visual images of food and drinks made ordering easier and more inclusive.
I also offered ideas on how the Quad Cities could attract even more visitors by enhancing accessibility. A great destination balances friendly locals, a welcoming community, and unique attractions. Beautiful outdoor spaces, engaging activities, and community events bring people together. Deaf-friendly accommodations, inclusive experiences, and small gestures such as knowing basic ASL and fingerspelling, make a place genuinely inviting for everyone. Delicious restaurants where people can savor local flavors also add to the city’s charm.
Accessibility is essential, not optional, especially for Deaf travelers. Many attractions still lack captions, tours often fail to provide sign interpreters or written transcripts, and audio-only announcements in public transportation can leave travelers lost or unsafe. Effective solutions include digital boards with captions for audio-only announcements, sign language interpreters or Deaf-led tours, QR codes linking to written transcripts, ASL video guides for exhibitions, and technology like text-to-speech apps, language translation tools, and large, readable screens. These solutions bridge communication gaps, making travel safer, more inclusive, and welcoming for all visitors.
Authentic travel experiences matter because they help people connect with destinations, discover hidden gems, and support local communities. In the Quad Cities, thoughtful placemaking, inclusive planning, and accessible experiences can transform ordinary places to visit into memorable, engaging, and truly welcoming spaces. By sharing real stories and promoting inclusivity, the Quad Cities community can attract new visitors, boost local businesses, strengthen connections, and leave a lasting impression on everyone who travels there.
Networking and Celebration
Following the panel, I met many professionals from the Quad Cities area and several Deaf community members. The day ended with a VIP Reception and Dinner at Ruthie’s Steaks & Seafood on the 6th floor of the Rhythm Casino Resort – an evening filled with laughter, great food, and meaningful conversations.
My marketing manager, Daniel Heidemeyer, provided essential support throughout the day. His guidance and encouragement helped me maintain confidence from morning to night.
New Adventures in the Quad Cities
Breakfast at Egg Parlor
The next day, we started with a hearty breakfast at Egg Parlor, a local favorite specializing in classic American breakfast and lunch. It proved to be the kind of traditional, reliable breakfast experience beloved by Quad Cities residents. Daniel ordered the Breakfast Burrito, and I chose the Egg Parlor Skillet, served with pancakes. Yummy!
A Visit to the John Deere Pavilion
After breakfast, we headed to the John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline, Illinois, the official visitor center for the global agricultural giant. The Pavilion is packed with massive, climbable equipment and fascinating, hands-on exhibits. We explored the company’s 200-year history, learning how John Deere’s precision agriculture technology impacts the world. It was a pleasure meeting Valerie Kimler, the Operations Lead and the recent winner of the CTA of the Year!
Right next door is the John Deere Store, the largest retail center for John Deere merchandise, stocking an extensive collection of officially licensed clothing, toys (including the largest collection of John Deere Ertl toys), collectibles, and novelties.
Coffee Break at The Atlas Collective
Craving a chai latte, we next visited The Atlas Collective. This cozy bookstore cafe is a Women & LGBTQIA+ owned business that serves as a safe and inclusive “third space” for the community. I had a wonderful chat with the owner, Kara Taghon, who is incredibly kind and even knows a bit of ASL, which made the experience feel even more welcoming. Her bookstore is truly a gem, featuring a curated selection of new and used books, a full menu of coffee and tea, and local Quad Cities vendor goods. The Collective also strengthens the community by regularly hosting events like book clubs, game nights, and author readings.
Dessert Time at Lagomarcino's
Our sweet treat stop was the legendary Lagomarcino’s, a true Quad Cities institution and a delightful step back in time! This beloved, fourth-generation family-owned confectionery and soda fountain has been serving sweet treats and lunch since 1908. Now proudly carried on by Daniel Otten and his sister, Katie, the shop transports visitors back to the early 1900s with its beautifully preserved interior, featuring custom mahogany booths and Tiffany-style lamps. Famous for its delicious homemade ice cream and handcrafted chocolates, Lagomarcino’s earned the prestigious James Beard Foundation America’s Classic Award in 2006. If you’re looking for a taste of regional culinary history, it’s a must-visit in the Quad Cities.
Exploring the I-74 Bridge on Foot
We made one last stop – Dave Herrell guided us to the stunning I-74 Bridge (the Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge). Opened in late 2021, this beautiful basket-handle arch bridge replaced a notoriously congested crossing and quickly became a symbol of regional connectivity and pride between Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois. As you can see in the picture of me and Dave, we were communicating using the ‘Big’ text-to-speech app on my iPhone.
The bridge is famous for its multi-use path, a feature separated from interstate traffic and one of only three interstate pedestrian bridges in the U.S. This path provides a vital connection for pedestrians and cyclists, linking major regional trails like the popular Great River Trail in Illinois.
I was standing on the Oculus, the most distinctive architectural element located on the Illinois side near the midpoint of the arch. This large, circular glass viewing platform juts out high above the Mississippi River. The experience is incredible – you get a stunning, nearly 360-degree view of the Mississippi River, the historic cities of Moline and Davenport, and the immense bridge structure itself, offering an unparalleled vantage point for watching barges and sunsets. The I-74 Bridge and its accessible path are celebrated for creating a remarkable destination to experience the Mississippi River up close.
These meaningful encounters from the historic legacy of John Deere and Lagomarcino’s to the vibrant inclusion found at The Atlas Collective and the thoughtful accessibility of the I-74 Bridge show how much this region values community, history, and inclusion, all supported by the heartfelt hospitality of Visit Quad Cities.
What are your thoughts on the Destination QC! Conference and the future of tourism in the Quad Cities?
Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
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