A Letter To The Quad Cities

March 31, 2020

There are a few lyrics in Lord Huron’s song “Ends of the Earth” that are sticking with me right now.

Oh, there’s a river that winds on forever, I’m going to see where it leads

Oh, there’s a mountain that no man has mounted, I’m going to stand on the peak

Out there, there’s a land that time don’t command, wanna be the first to arrive

No time for ponderin’ why I’m-a wanderin’

To the ends of the earth, would you follow me

There’s a world that was meant for our eyes to see

We will travel again. This much I promise.

There is no doubt we have all been upended by this situation and its wide-reaching impact.  What’s important right now, in this moment, is that we listen, work together, show compassion, have empathy, and unify to support the common good.  Protect one another and follow the guidelines set forth by our health departments and government.  To the medical community and first responders, we cannot begin to thank you enough for all you are doing to take care of others during this difficult time.  You are truly on the front lines of this battle and our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. 

Visit Quad Cities feels deeply for the people we see and reach every day.  People that make the Quad Cities regional destination shine.  The travel, tourism, and hospitality industry has never faced a challenge like this before.  It is extremely difficult, upsetting, and frustrates us all because we live to serve others.  

Serving others and serving our communities is in our DNA and always will be.  It is why we do what we do. Creating moments and unforgettable experiences, I would argue, is one of the most important things people do. It is the feeling that we all have when we see the look on someone’s face when we know we touched them in a meaningful way.  Emotional connections simply make us better human beings. 

To the Quad Citizens that are on the front lines of creating and making these moments happen we have always stood by you, are standing by you now, and will be in the future.  To the curators, artists, hoteliers, musicians, museum staff, restauranteurs, first impressionists, attraction & venue operators, craft specialists, chefs, kitchen crew, bartenders, docents, retailers, salespeople, event owners & producers, ticket takers, waiters & waitresses, promoters, winemakers, vendors, ushers, storytellers, volunteers, and concessionaires, we are grateful for you. We are tough, gritty, caring, resilient and, one thing is for sure, we are one team.  Thank you for always inspiring us and for making the QC the authentic and quirky place we love.

For now, I ask that you keep dreaming about your next experience.  Dream of where you want to travel next. Dream of those moments that you can share for a lifetime with who you love the most.  I promise that we will come out on the other side.  And, when we do, please remember those that are serving, caring, and loving what they do to give you something that you will always cherish.

Thanks for loving the QC.  It’s a privilege to serve as one of the Quad Cities’ biggest cheerleaders.  Please stay safe, be well and we will welcome the world back to the Quad Cities when the time is right.

Thinking and praying for everyone’s families, friends, communities, and what people love the most in their daily lives.  Friends, there’s a world that was meant for our eyes to see.

Together is better,

Dave Herrell

President and CEO

Visit Quad Cities and Proud Quad Citizen