Neapolitan Labs

Congratulations to our client, Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa, on receiving a 2026 Service Excellence Award and to Executive Director Emily Starnes on receiving the Abby Kisling Leadership Award from Iowa Travel Industry Partners! We are so proud to work with Emily and her team member, Megan, on the Villages of Van Buren website and to see firsthand how much community pride and dedication go into all they do!

Congratulations to Emily Starnes, Executive Director of the Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa, recipient of the 2026 Abby Kisling Leadership Award! 🎉

Since stepping into her role in 2019, Emily has helped elevate the Villages of Van Buren from a beloved rural destination to one with statewide, national, and even international reach. Through innovative marketing, regional partnerships, and a passion for showcasing authentic Iowa experiences, she has helped demonstrate the power of tourism in rural communities.

Emily's leadership has contributed to record visitor growth, strengthened collaboration across southeast Iowa, and ensured rural destinations continue to have a strong voice within Iowa's tourism industry.

The Abby Kisling Leadership Award honors leaders who share a commitment to advancing rural tourism, making Emily a fitting recipient of this recognition.

The Abby Kisling Leadership Award is sponsored by Meet Ottumwa.

Happy first anniversary to Gordana, our client services coordinator! We're so grateful for your keen eye for details and excellent client support skills, and are looking forward to celebrating many more milestones with you!

Katie, our business manager, celebrated her birthday over the weekend! We hope she had the best day doing the things she loves — golfing, playing with her dog, Harley, and enjoying a scoop of cookie dough ice cream! ⛳