Reiman Gardens Wins Multiple Awards at Iowa Tourism Conference

Reiman Gardens, at Iowa State University, was recognized with two major honors at the 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference, receiving both the People’s Choice Award and a “You Rock” Geode Award for its successful Stink Floyd corpse plant marketing campaign.

The awards were presented during the 2026 conference hosted by the Iowa Tourism Office at Prairie Meadows, where 17 organizations and individuals across the state were recognized for excellence in tourism marketing, collaboration, and innovation. 

A Campaign That Captured Iowa’s Attention

Reiman Gardens earned the People’s Choice Award, a distinction voted on by conference attendees and given to a project that stands out as especially creative and inspiring within the tourism industry. 

The recognition came for the Gardens’ viral Stink Floyd campaign, centered on the blooming of the rare corpse flower that was on loan from the Bessey Greenhouse at Iowa State University. Known for its enormous size and famously pungent odor, the plant became a social media sensation and drew widespread attention from visitors and media alike. The playful campaign parody, which aimed to give the plant a distinct rock-star personality, helped turn the unusual botanical event into a memorable, highly shareable moment that attracted audiences far beyond the Ames community.

A “You Rock” Geode Award for Tourism Excellence

In addition to the People’s Choice honor, Reiman Gardens was also named one of seven recipients of the 2026 “You Rock” Geode Awards. The award recognizes tourism organizations that go above and beyond in creativity, dedication, and positive impact on their destination. 

The Geode Awards highlight organizations that serve as examples for peers across Iowa’s tourism industry. By combining engaging storytelling, creative branding, and a unique botanical attraction, the Stink Floyd campaign demonstrated how innovative marketing can turn a fleeting natural event into a statewide tourism moment.

Celebrating Innovation in Iowa Tourism

According to the Iowa Tourism Office, the annual awards celebrate the creativity and strategic thinking that strengthen Iowa’s visitor economy and highlight the state’s diverse attractions. 

For Reiman Gardens, the dual recognition underscores the power of creative storytelling and community enthusiasm. What began as the bloom of a rare plant became a cultural moment—one that brought visitors to Ames, generated excitement online, and showcased how a botanical garden can captivate audiences through humor, science, and the power of social media.