Outside of blogging at Olio in Iowa, Megan Bannister writes for a number of print and online travel publications as a freelance writer. Her work as been featured by Roadtrippers, Time Out and Far & Wide, among others.
She has also been a recurring guest on radio shows like Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa and has spoken at industry conferences about marketing, social media and other relevant topics.
Megan is currently accepting new collaborations with brands and destinations. Interested in working together? Learn more about how you can partner with Olio in Iowa!
PRINT & ONLINE COVERAGE
“Daily Inspiration: Meet Megan Bannister” | Voyage Minnesota | September 2022
“This is How We Go Clubbing: Iowa Supper Clubs by Megan Bannister”| The Iowa Gallivant | April 2021
“Make Your List Now: Shop Iowa Holiday Gift Guides” | Travel Iowa | December 2020
“Archie’s earns Iowa Supper Clubs book distinction” | LeMars Daily Sentinel | September 2020
“Book ‘Iowa Supper Clubs’ available Aug. 17” | Daily Nonpareil | August 2020
“Looking for Travel Inspiration? Check Out These Travel Blogs” | Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau | May 2020
“Support Local, Shop Small for Gifts” | Travel Iowa | April 2020
“Why Wichita restaurateurs are so excited about a visitor from Iowa” | The Wichita Eagle | January 2019
FREELANCE WRITING
“Visit the Volo Museum” | Naturally McHenry County | March 2023
“Hotel Silo: A Q&A With a Missile Silo Renovator” | Fifty Grande | Unplugged issue 2023
Fort Dodge Destination Guide | 2023
“36 Hours in Northwest Iowa” | ia magazine | Spring 2023
“Food truck owners have big choices to make once temperatures dip” | Little Village Mag | December 2022
“El Rey Court” | Fifty Grande | October 2022
“Surety Hotel” | Fifty Grande | September 2022
“Best Things to Do in Santa Fe, NM” | Fifty Grande | September 2022
“Best Things to Do in Medora, ND” | Fifty Grande | September 2022
“Ice cream for every mood in the Des Moines area” | Little Village | June 2022
“LV Recommends: Peace Tree Brewing Co. cracks open some fresh branding in time for summer” | Little Village | April 2022
“17 Incredible Things To Do In Ames, Iowa” | Let’s Go Iowa | February 2022
“7 Easy Hikes Near Des Moines” | Let’s Go Iowa | August 2021
“Best Things to Do in Galena, Illinois” | Fifty Grande | July 2021
“9 Free Things to Do in Des Moines” | Oh My Omaha | June 2021
“6 Of The Best Ice Cream Shops in Des Moines” | Oh My Omaha | May 2021
“6 Best Donut Shops in Des Moines” | Oh My Omaha | May 2021
“10 Awesome Patios in Des Moines” | Oh My Omaha | April 2021
“10 Des Moines Restaurants That You Don’t Know About But Should” | Oh My Omaha | April 2021
“10 Quirky Bars & Restaurants in Des Moines” | Oh My Omaha | March 2021
“7 Date Night Ideas in Des Moines” | Oh My Omaha | February 2021
“8 Great Places for Breakfast in Des Moines, Iowa” | Oh My Omaha | January 2021
“10 Must-Try Restaurants in Des Moines” | Oh My Omaha | February 2020
“Flight Attendant Horror Stories” | Far & Wide | July 2019
“The 12 best things to do in Iowa” | Time Out | July 2018
“10 Hidden Gems for a Shopping Getaway” | Travel Iowa | July 2018
“Shop Iowa’s Occasional Markets” | Travel Iowa | July 2018
“Pro Tips on Getting Your Car Ready for a Road Trip” | Far & Wide | April 2018
“5 Places to Explore Along the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway” | Travel Iowa | October 2017
“Spend a Scenic Night at a Grain Bin Cabin” | Travel Iowa | October 2017
“Discovering Farm-to-Table Dining at Harvestville Farms” | Travel Iowa | August 2017
TV, RADIO & PODCASTS
“Celebrating summer festivals” | Hello Iowa | July 2023
“Iowa secrets, fun travel destinations, and structural popcorn balls?” | The Iowa Podcast | June 2023
“Farm to table travel experiences” | Hello Iowa | June 2023
“Great getaways this summer” | Hello Iowa | May 2023
“Art, Coffee and More in the Quad Cities” | Destinations Beyond Expectations | April 2023
“Cozy staycations in Iowa” | Hello Iowa | February 2023
“Fun items to add to car kit” | Hello Iowa | January 2023
“Plan a scenic road trip” | Hello Iowa | November 2022
“Discovering agritourism in Iowa” | Hello Iowa | September 2022
“Four short road trips” | Hello Iowa | June 2022
“Embracing winter in Iowa” | Hello Iowa | January 2022
“Tips to plan your travel in 2022” | Hello Iowa | January 2022
“Checking out holiday light displays” | Hello Iowa | December 2021
“From Travel Blogger to Author with Megan from Olio in Iowa” | Local to Legend Podcast | November 2021
“Haunted Iowa” | Hello Iowa | October 2021
“Episode 44: Miami, OK” | Route 66 Podcast | October 2021
“Take a drive to see the fall foliage” | Hello Iowa | October 2021
“Offbeat attractions to see in Iowa”| Hello Iowa | August 2021
“Author shares what supper clubs you’ll find in Iowa” | Hello Iowa | August 2021
“Supper Clubs Of Iowa’s Past And Present” | Talk of Iowa | Iowa Public Radio | September 2020
“Olio in Iowa Talks Iowa Supper Clubs” | Midwest Travel Network Live | May 2020
“Places To Visit During Fall and Halloween In Iowa” | Talk of Iowa | Iowa Public Radio | October 2019
“Places to Visit on Iowa’s I-80”| Talk of Iowa | Iowa Public Radio | July 2019
GUEST POSTS & COLLABORATIONS
“16 Must-Try Restaurants in Champaign, IL” | Redfin | March 2023
“11 Midwest Summer Festivals Worth Traveling For” | Dang Travelers | June 2018
“Can’t Miss U.S. Roadside Attractions” | Minivan Adventures | April 2018
“Instagram Stories for Travel Bloggers: A User’s Guide + 10 Essential Tips” | Backroad Planet |December 2017
“Breweries Worth the Trip According to 16 Travel & Beer Writers” | Ems on the Road| September 2017
SPEAKING
Southern Travelers Explore Conference: Irving | 2023
Midwest Travel Network Conference | 2023
Central Iowa Tourism Region Annual Meeting | Keynote Speaker | 2022
Greater Burlington Partnership | 2021
Iowa Tourism Conference | 2019
Plains Safaris: Great Plains Symposium | 2018