Table Of Contents
1 About Events
The VGM Events Team is your internal partner for planning and executing events that reflect our brand, culture, and commitment to hospitality. We work alongside VGM teams to bring ideas to life, support your goals, and help deliver the hometown hospitality our customers and employees expect from VGM.
We believe employee and customer events play a critical role in supporting engagement, communication, and business growth across every division of VGM. Our approach combines decades of event experience with a strategic, consultative mindset and a strong focus on hospitality—helping turn everything from everyday meetings and gatherings to tradeshows and conferences into meaningful experiences for both employees and customers.
Whether an event is internal or external, large or small, the details matter. Our role is to make the process feel seamless and the experience feel effortless. The Events Team supports VGM business units with corporate meetings, conferences, trade shows, employee engagement events, and live, virtual, and hybrid experiences—so you can focus on your objectives while we handle the planning, logistics, and execution.
Your Events Team
CHRISTA MIEHE CCO
KYLE BROWN Event Planner
MANDI RODGERS VP, Events
KRISTINA JORDAN Event Planner
ROSA MCINTIRE Manager, Events
MORGAN CARPENTER Event Planner
BROOKE WEBER Event
Lead
When to Engage Events
Engaging the Events Team early helps ensure the best experience, the most efficient planning process, and alignment with VGM brand standards. Connect with us when you are:
• Considering an event idea and need help determining scope, format, timing, or feasibility.
• Planning any internal or external event, including meetings, celebrations, customer events, conferences, or trade shows.
• Managing complex logistics such as venues, catering, registration, travel, audio/video, or vendors.
• Hosting customers, partners, or employees and want to ensure a consistent, high-quality VGM experience.
• Looking to elevate an existing event with improved flow, engagement, or hospitality.
• Needing support for live, virtual, or hybrid events.
• Unsure who to contact or where to start—we’re happy to consult early and guide next steps.
The earlier we’re involved, the more value we can provide—helping you save time, reduce stress, and deliver an event that meets your goals and reflects VGM at its best. All VGM Event information can be found here
2 Employee Travel
Depending on the reason and circumstances, Events may or may not assist with travel arrangements. Please review the accommodations, transportation, and flights sections below for more information and our recommendations.
Accommodations*
Events Assistance Available
If you are attending a trade show that Events is helping plan, such as Medtrade, AOPA, NWC, etc., Events will obtain a block of rooms and/or make reservations for all VGM employees attending the show.
New Hires
Human Capital initiates the need of new hire accommodations as part of the hiring and/or onboarding process. Accommodations are booked with support by Management Services. They will be booked at a hotel in the Cedar Valley unless there is interest in staying at the VGM Farm.
Self-service Situations
Individuals traveling to attend client meetings or educational conferences on their own or with a few individuals from your business unit should select a hotel of your choice and make a reservation directly with the hotel or through Concur.
Existing employees who need to travel to the Cedar Valley for work or training purposes should make their own accommodations. Employees can stay at the VGM Farm or a local hotel if the Farm is unavailable. Reserve farm here.
*HOMELINK employees must obtain approval from their manager/director to travel and submit a request here
Hotel Recommendations
Hilton Garden Inn
7213 Nordic Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Call 319-266-6611 and mention you work for VGM to receive a discount of $129/night.
Includes conference space that can hold up to 340 attendees comfortably, fitness center, and free parking. The Hilton features its own restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner: The Garden Grille and Bar.
Holiday Inn & Suites
7400 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Click here to reserve a room for $129+ tax for a double queen or king room, the suites are $149+ tax.
Full-service hotel near the University of Northern Iowa campus. Meeting spaces, fitness center, a bistro, and game rooms are all available to guests.
Best
Western
205 W. 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50701
Call 319-888-1000 and mention VGM to receive a discount of $89+ tax for a double queen or king room, $99+ tax for an Executive Residency King Room.
Includes a 24-hour business center with three meeting rooms available for use. Other amenities include free WiFi, indoor pool and fitness center, game room, and bar. Breakfast available during weekdays for additional fee.
Courtyard by Marriott
Waterloo Cedar Falls
250 Westfield Ave., Waterloo 50701
Click here to reserve a room for $119/ night with the VGM Code: V1U
Newly renovated, historic hotel in downtown Waterloo. Includes a built-in restaurant (Starbecks), meeting spaces, and free Wi-Fi. The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum is a short walk from the hotel.
Hampton Inn & Suites
Downtown Cedar Falls
101 W. 1st St., Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Call 319-242-7350 and mention VGM to receive a discount of $119 for a standard room or $129 for a king and sofa bedroom.
Includes business center and multiple meeting rooms, complimentary breakfasts, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is situated near Cedar Falls’ Main Street to enjoy the various local businesses.
Staying At The VGM Farm
• The VGM Farm is an option for overnight stay for employees and customers.
• Employees can check to see availability of rooms here.
• To make a reservation for yourself or a customer, complete the form here.
• Guests should be comfortable sharing common spaces such as the kitchen, living area, and some bathrooms as the house accommodates up to eight (8) overnight guests.
• Common spaces may be used for networking and social events, and a boardroom can be used for meetings.
• To see a tour of the VGM Farm, click here.
GUIDELINES FOR USING THE VGM FARM
• The VGM Farm is for business use only.
• Reservations for overnight rooms and shared spaces must be made ahead of time.
• Prior to your arrival, you will receive an Outlook calendar invite which includes the code to get in and instructions. You will also receive a schedule of events and expected guests during your stay.
• Please clean up shared spaces daily. This helps our cleaning service and provides a welcoming environment for other guests.
• All trash needs to be taken to the dumpster located right in front of the barn.
• Be sure to take any food items with you or throw them away before you leave.
• If you are an overnight guest, you may use any bathroom. If you are not an overnight guest, please use the bathrooms located on the main and lower level of the house.
• Please be mindful of others in the house and keep noise levels at an appropriate level, especially after 10 p.m.
• Standard overnight arrival time is 5 p.m.
• Standard overnight departure time is no later than 11 a.m.
• Early arrivals and late departures should be coordinated ahead of time with Events (events@vgm.com).
Transportation* FLIGHTS
New Hires
Human Capital initiates the need for flights as part of the hiring and/or onboarding process. Accommodations are booked with support by Management Services.
Self-service Situations
If you are attending a trade show that Events is helping plan, such as Medtrade, AOPA, NWC, etc., you are empowered to make your own flight arrangements using Concur. If you do not have Concur access, please contact Suzanne Hampton in Corporate Accounting to get a Concur account set up. If Suzanne is not available, please contact Brittaney Ruport.
Please share your itinerary with Events after you’ve purchased your flight. Individuals traveling to attend client meetings or educational conferences on their own or with a few individuals from your business unit should purchase tickets using Concur.
Existing employees who need to travel for work/training purposes should coordinate their own flights using Concur with leadership approval.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
New Hires
Human Capital initiates the need of ground transportation as part of the hiring and/or onboarding process. Rental cars for new hires are booked with support by Management Services.
Self-service Situations
VGM employees departing from the Cedar Valley can reserve a VGM vehicle for travel purposes.
Upon initial reservation of a VGM vehicle for work travel/work events, you must successfully complete the VGME232-VGM Driver Safety course in Saba (i.e., VGMU). Once this has been completed, please click here to submit your vehicle reservation request.
Employees who need to travel for work/training purposes should coordinate their own ride sharing services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) and/or rental car for travel purposes. Rental cars should be booked using Concur or directly with a rental car provider.
Recommendation For Rental Cars
National/Enterprise Rental Contract ID#: XZ62555
CONTACT FOR TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
Travel Leaders
Standard Hours (7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Central) 1-800-741-4116
After Hours (7 p.m. - 7 a.m. Central) 678-573-9900
*HOMELINK employees must obtain approval from their manager/director to travel and submit a request here.
3 Venues And Spaces
VGM has several spaces that are great for socializing and meetings. We encourage the use of these spaces for your next team event or meeting. We also have contacts at several offsite locations. If you are interested in an offsite location, please let Events know, and we can help you book offsite locations.
VGM Farm
Located in La Porte City, Iowa, the VGM Farm is a large farmhouse that can accommodate a significant portion of VGM’s employee owners with multiple companywide activities being held there (e.g., Spring Fling). The farm can be reserved for team/business unit gettogethers, as well as house out-of-town employees and business partners.
Capacity
• Deck – seats about 20.
• Boardroom – can fit around 12 people.
• Barn (seasonal) – approx. 200 people – bar, restrooms, tables, and chairs set for guests.
Amenities
• Kitchen – well-stocked with beverages, area for sitting and eating, space to serve food buffet style.
• Recreational Room – games, restrooms, bar area.
• Electrical for audio/video.
Reserve here.
Pergola
Located right outside of the VGM café, the Pergola is perfect for any outdoor activities such as a bags tournament or music bingo. When the weather is nice, food days are often held here.
• Tables and chairs available.
• Electrical outlets available.
• Located at VGM’s Headquarters.
• Good for large or small groups.
D4 Boardroom
• Great space for meetings.
• Seats up to 20.
• Audio/video for virtual attendees.
• Side kitchen with fridge, including beverages.
• Separate restroom.
Owners Lounge
Located in B2 at the heart of VGM Headquarters, the Owners Lounge is the perfect gathering spot for any team or business unit.
• Comfortably fits up to 50 people.
• Beverage-stocked fridge.
• Tables and chairs.
• Variety of games and activities.
• Reserve in Outlook.
James E. Walsh Theater
A sizeable theater with two large projectors. Onboarding for new VGM Employee is often held here, as well as guest speakers for continuing education opportunities.
• Good for group of around 50 –classroom seating.
• Audio/video for virtual attendees.
• Fridge in back with water and space to cater food buffet-style.
C2 Loft
Located next to the coffee machine in between C & D buildings – Look for the “Loft” sign.
• Great for retirement parties or small social gatherings of 15 people or less.
Food And Beverage 4
Catering
For groups of 12 or fewer, we ask you to handle ordering food on your own. For groups of 13 or more, Events is available to assist you. Please fill out this form and request assistance with catering orders. We have multiple vendors and we will work with you to select an appropriate caterer and coordinate delivery or pickup and set it up for you.
• These catering guidelines also apply to Farm reservations.
• Events appreciates a two-week minimum notice for catering requests.
To request catering assistance, fill out this form.
• If you need catering for a Farm reservation, please request catering when reserving your space(s) at the Farm.
CATERING RECOMMENDATIONS
• Catering by Dee • deejordan360@gmail.com
• Homemade by Bridget • homemadebybridgetmoroney@outlook.com
• Moment in Thyme • chef@momentinthyme.com
RESTAURANT CATERING RECOMMENDATIONS
• Chick-Fil-A
• Pancheros
• Greenhouse Kitchen
• Noodles & Company
VGM Bar Cart
• Jimmy John’s
• Jersey Mike’s
• Pita Pit
• Panera Bread
The VGM Bar Cart is a traveling beverage station which can be reserved and utilized by any business unit of VGM for an event or team gathering located at VGM’s main campus.
For groups of 12 or fewer, we encourage you to use the Owners’ Lounge space in building B. The fridge in the lounge is stocked with beverages.
Events appreciates a one-week minimum notice for Bar Cart reservations.
RESERVING THE BAR CART
For groups of 13 or more, we ask you to reserve the Bar Cart here.
The Events Team will contact you after your reservation request to finalize reservation details.
Please note: If a business unit chooses to reserve the Bar Cart there will be a charge to the business unit of $8/person to cover the cost to restock the cart.
Example: If VGM Insurance reserves the Bar Cart for a team of 15 people, VGM Insurance will be billed $120.
• Carlos O’Kelly’s
• Rancho Chico
• Olive Garden
• Hy-Vee
5 Hospitality Recommendations
VGM is known for its hometown hospitality. Whether entertaining members of your team or customers, sometimes you’ll need to take guests to local establishments for food, drinks, coffee, and even some fun. To the right are two links for restaurants in the Cedar Valley.
For a full list of options in Cedar Falls, click here.
For a full list of options in Waterloo, click here.
