Y receives Chamber Tourism Champion Award

Pictured from left: Brittany Sichra from the Chamber, Y CEO Kim Jass-Ramirez, Y Aquatics Director Shelley Lechnir, Y Board Member Todd Stanley, Y Board Member Fr. Michael McAndrew and Chamber Board Chair Zach Stahlin. 

The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA received the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism Champion Award during the Chamber’s Annual Banquet held on June 18, 2026.  

The following is the introduction to the award from the Chamber:

“This year’s Tourism Champion has shown up for Marshalltown time and time again. From decades of hosting State Swim and continuing to host the State YMCA Meet, they’ve welcomed athletes, families, coaches, and spectators from across the region and made every one of them feel at home. They’ve opened their doors for District Conference Swim and have been an essential partner in making AAU Volleyball a success here. And these are just to name a few events they host throughout the year.

Beyond hosting events, they understand something bigger: tourism is about people. It’s about creating experiences that leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a young athlete competing for the first time, or a family spending a weekend in Marshalltown. They help create the kind of experience that keeps people coming back.

For the many events we host, they continually go the extra mile. They’ve supported the Red, White & Blue Celebration, stepped up their hospitality efforts, and consistently been the kind of partner you know you can count on. For families or hires who are new to Marshalltown, they’ve often been one of the first welcoming faces that we choose for these groups to visit.

Their impact extends far beyond their walls. Through their partnership and commitment, they are currently helping with our tourism efforts and supporting an event that will be bringing over 20,000 visitors here in July. That matters more than we can measure.

When we want to show people what Marshalltown is made of, they are the people we turn to.

It brings me great joy to announce that the recipient of the 2026 Tourism Champion Award is the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA!”