Meeting Planner Guide
W E L C O M E
T O
WAT E R L O O
Bring your next convention, conference, or tournament to Waterloo, where great spaces, vibrant places, and unforgettable experiences come together. With more than 347,000 square feet of meeting space, 1,400+ area hotel rooms, and direct flights to Chicago O’Hare, Waterloo makes it easy to plan an event that runs smoothly from arrival to farewell. Between sessions, attendees can walk to a downtown full of more than 70 locally owned restaurants, craft breweries, nightlife, scenic trails, and the RiverLoop Amphitheater. You’ll also find distinctive venues that tell our story, from the historic John Deere buildings at TechWorks to the Waterloo Center for the Arts, as well as the new Waterloo CourtWorks tournament facility opening in 2027. Grant funding is available too, helping make your event as affordable as it is memorable. Waterloo is a city attendees will remember and want to experience again. Enjoy your Waterloo Experience!
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Experience Waterloo • Meeting Planner Guide
Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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A C IT Y WITH A STO RY TO TE LL Waterloo offers distinctive meeting spaces that bring culture, history, and local character into every event. The Waterloo
FUTURE FORWARD
Center for the Arts provides flexible rooms for conferences, receptions, presentations, and breakout sessions, all within
TechWorks is a manufacturing, research and development,
an inspiring riverfront setting and home to the world’s largest
innovation and educational center— the heart and soul of
collection of Haitian art.
a brownfield redevelopment project that is reshaping the heart of our city. Spread across a 30-acre campus, it houses
The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum also offers
two historic John Deere buildings, several labs and advanced
a memorable backdrop for meetings and group gatherings,
manufacturing businesses. It’s the perfect backdrop for
surrounded by powerful stories of service and sacrifice.
a forward-thinking event, or a convenient home base for
Together, these unique venues give planners an alternative
weddings, reunions and large-scale celebrations.
to the traditional conference room while creating a more engaging experience for attendees.
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Experience Waterloo • Meeting Planner Guide
Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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GRAND OPENING
WAT E R LO O C O U R T W O R KS A new tournament facility is in development downtown Waterloo behind the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo. Waterloo CourtWorks, a 100,000 square foot indoor sports facility, is projected to open in early 2027. This hardwood court facility will feature 8 full-size basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts. In addition to basketball and volleyball tournaments, Waterloo CourtWorks will also be able to host wrestling, gymnastics, pickle ball, and handball tournaments.
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Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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CONVENTION CONNECTIONS Downtown Waterloo is a hub of continuous transformation, packed with locally owned restaurants and vibrant public gathering spaces. It’s the perfect place for your attendees between sessions at the Waterloo Convention Center. They can take a walk along the scenic RiverLoop trail, grab a craft brew and a bite at The TapRoom at WonderBread, or hang our at Anton’s BierGarden. Prepare to be surprised by just how much there is to experience right outside your meeting room doors.
BEST WESTERN PLUS & EXECUTIVE RESIDENCY 205 W 4th St • Waterloo, IA 50701 200 ROOMS 7
Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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N A T I O N A L LY
Ranked
70+
Waterpark* & Themepark
locally-owned RESTAURANTS
347,000+ sq. ft.
OF TOTAL MEETING SPACE.
GR ANTS AVAIL ABLE
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Up to $20,000 in grants available to assist with event costs has been awarded to conventions in the past five years.
PUBLIC
GOLF
COURSES WITHIN
MILES TO WATERLOO
15 MILES
1,400+
AREA HOTEL ROOMS
Regional Airport Direct flights to Chicago O’Hare.
Sioux Falls
Minneapolis
Chicago
Omaha
Kansas City
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Milwaukee
St. Louis
Cedar Rapids ...................................... 55 Amana Colonies .............................. 71 Mason City ............................................ 80 Iowa City ................................................ 85 Dubuque ................................................ 91 Des Moines ........................................... 105 Quad Cities .......................................... 135 Burlington ............................................... 154 Minneapolis, MN .............................. 200 Sioux City ............................................... 229 Council Bluffs ...................................... 232 Omaha, NE ............................................. 242 Milwaukee, WI ................................... 263 Chicago, IL ............................................. 268 Sioux Falls, SD .................................... 287 Kansas City, MO .............................. 310 St. Louis, MO ....................................... 356
Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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AT THE
OF IT ALL The Waterloo Convention Center has recently undergone a transformative multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion, enhancing the ability to host events of any size and creating a truly exceptional experience for every guest. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, conference, wedding, or community gathering, the Waterloo Convention Center provides the
Ph
oto C
ou rte
sy Jo h
nD
ee
re
modern space and top-tier services necessary for a successful event.
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Experience Waterloo • Meeting Planner Guide
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WAT E R LO O C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R
1st Floor
Space
2nd Floor
Dimensions*
Ceiling Height#
Banquet^
Classroom^
Theatre^
Exhibit Hall
179’ x 107’
27’
728
561
1,260
Meeting Room 1
27’ x 35’
9’ 5”
32
30
70
Meeting Room 2
20’ x 35’
9’ 5”
16
18
42
Meeting Room 3
36’ x 44’
9’ 5”
48
54
180
Meeting Room 4
19’ x 35’
9’ 5”
16
18
42
Ballroom A
46’ x 82’
11’ 6”
144
144
340
Ballroom B
38’ x 82’
11’ 6”
96
112
312
Ballroom C
47’ x 82’
11’ 6”
144
144
340
Ballroom D
35’ x 25’
11’ 6”
32
24
60
Ballroom E
35’ x 25’
11’ 6”
32
24
60
Conference Room
23’ x 30’
8’
16
16
40
*Dimensions are approximations and are from the biggest point in the room. #Height is at the ceiling height in the Meeting Rooms. In the Exhibit Hall and Ballrooms this represents the soffit height, and the majority of the ceiling is 12”-18” higher. ^Capacity depends on a number of factors. The listed number shows a typical configuration with minimal Audio-Visual equipment set in the more optimal area for lighting. Each Meeting Room and Ballroom are separated by airwalls and can be combined with adjoining rooms to create additional capacities. Your Event Manager can work with you to determine the appropriate room configuration and capacities to meet your need.
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Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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Square Feet
Height
Reception
Banquet
Theater
Classroom
Board Room
4,500
-
180
180
260
260
140
Exhibit Hall
19,080
50’
2,000
1,500
2,000
1,000
-
10
980
10’
100
56
80
48
-
11/13
700
10’
75
32
54
32
-
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1,728
10’
200
80
175
84
-
21/23
3,984
16’
500
264
385
192
-
22
2,988
16’
380
168
288
160
-
24/25
900
16’
100
48
65
40
-
Seminar
1,200
10’
-
-
-
40
-
Board
875
9’
-
-
-
-
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CEDAR VALLEY SPORTSPLEX
Black’s Tea Room • 1,745 Sq. Ft. • 91 - Reception
Classrooms (3)
378
8’
-
-
-
30 ea
-
Conference • 400 Sq. Ft. • 15 - Capacity
56 - Banquet • 91 - Capacity • 91 - Seated
Conference
1,660
9’
70
70
110
-
60
Field House • 30,000 Sq. Ft • Capacity Varies
Ike Leighty Classroom
320
9’
-
-
-
20
-
Gymnasium • 12,750 Sq. Ft. • 500 - Capacity
WATERLOO ELKS LODGE
Lobby
850
25’
100
100
120
-
100
Multi-Purpose 1 • 1,000 Sq. Ft. • 56 - Capacity
Ballroom • 5,050 Sq. Ft. • 350 - Banquet
Lobby with Mess Hall
1,900
25’
220
220
-
-
-
Multi-Purpose 2 • 2,000 Sq. Ft. • 92 - Capacity
Gatsby • 2,300 Sq. Ft. • 100 - Banquet
Mess Hall
1,300
10’
-
120
150
-
100
Multi-Purpose 1 & 2 • 3,000 Sq. Ft. • 148 - Capacity
Lodge • 2,300 Sq. Ft. • 125 - Banquet
Snowden House
2,075
10’
80
80
-
-
30
Pool Party 1 • 230 Sq. Ft. • 30 - Capacity
PAL • 1,900 Sq. Ft. • 150 - Banquet
Theatre
800
10’
-
-
65
-
-
Pool Party 2 • 230 Sq. Ft. • 30 - Capacity
Red Stag • 1,900 Sq. Ft. • 60 - Banquet
Ballroom
5,000
14’
400
270
300
250
-
NATIONAL CATTLE CONGRESS
YOUNG ARENA
Salon A
1,400
14’
120
80
100
70
-
Electric Park Ballroom • 5,103 Sq. Ft.
Arena • 20,000 Sq. Ft. • 3,000 - Seated
Salon B
670
14’
60
40
60
35
-
1,100 - Capacity • 600 - Seated
Meeting • 500 Sq. Ft. • 20 - Seated
Salon C
870
14’
60
40
60
35
-
Estel Hall • 60,000 Sq. Ft.
Salon D
830
14’
60
40
60
35
-
8,500 - Capacity • 8,000 - Seated
Primary Venues
Looking for something less traditional? Consider these unique spaces for your next meeting, event or outing.
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT Cedar Oak Banquet Hall
WATERLOO CONVENTION CENTER
GROUT MUSEUM DISTRICT
ISLE CASINO HOTEL WATERLOO
BROWN DERBY
THE TAPROOM AT WONDERBREAD
Ballroom • 5,500 Sq. Ft. • 275 - Reception • 220 - Banquet
Patio (Outdoor) • 1,100 Sq. Ft. • 14’ Height
Lobby • 1,500 Sq. Ft. • 50 - Reception
135 - Capacity • 110 - Seated Private Room • 1,200 Sq. Ft. • 10’ Height
CEDAR VALLEY ARBORETUM Education Center • 50 - Capacity Garden (Outdoor) • 250 - Capacity Welcome Center • 40 - Capacity
SKY EVENT CENTER Black’s Sky Room • 4,312 Sq. Ft. 359 - Reception 300 - Banquet • 359 - Capacity • 300 - Seated
The Hippodrome • 20,000 Sq. Ft.
WATERLOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS Allbee Room
460
9’
50
24
40
18
18
6,000 - Capacity • 7,000 - Seated
Hope Martin Theatre
2,655
22’
-
-
400
-
-
Pavilion • 11,200 Sq. Ft
Hurwich Room
770
9’
75
48
60
24
30
1,000 - Capacity • 500 - Seated
Law Court Theater
1,035
9’
-
-
100
72
18
Media Gallery
478
9’
50
36
48
18
18
RIVERLOOP VENUES
Petersen Town Hall
2,448
15’
350
120
200
100
-
Boat House* • 160 - Capacity
Riverside Plaza (Outdoor)
10,000
-
1,500
250
200
-
-
RiverLoop Amphitheatre (Outdoor)*
Rotary-Lichty Gallery with Rotary Deck
2,835
15’
300
200
-
-
-
1,000 - Capacity › 600 - Seated
Rotary Room
488
15’
50
36
42
18
24
RiverLoop Expo Plaza (Outdoor)* 5,000 - Capacity
Schoitz River Rooms I-III 1 Room
1,569
12’
200
80
-
-
30
2 Rooms
3,138
12’
400
160
-
-
-
3 Rooms
4,707
12’
600
240
500
-
-
Visual Arts Studio
1,302
10’
120
48
-
-
30
Visual Arts Studio with Hurley-McCoy Deck
3,669
10’
300
200
-
-
-
Watkins Grand Foyer / Longfellow Concourse
3,781
22’
300
144
-
-
-
15
80 - Capacity • 60 - Seated
Experience Waterloo • Meeting Planner Guide
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COURTYARD MARRIOTT 250 Westfield Avenue • Waterloo, Iowa
ISLE CASINO & HOTEL 777 Isle of Capri Blvd • Waterloo, IA
166 ROOMS
195 ROOMS
Experience Waterloo • Meeting Planner Guide
Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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FAIRFIELD INN 2134 La Porte Rd • Waterloo, IA
HAMPTON INN 2034 La Porte Rd • Waterloo, IA
81 ROOMS
101 ROOMS
Experience Waterloo • Meeting Planner Guide
Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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OPENING EARLY
2028! $70 MILLION P R O P E R T Y
SPEND A NIGHT OR
two
BAYMONT INN & SUITES
DAYS INN
MOTEL 6
BEST WESTERN PLUS & EXECUTIVE RESIDENCY
ECONOLODGE INN & SUITES
MOTEL 6
BOARDERS INN & SUITES
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES
1945 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 234-7411 BAYMONTINNS.COM
205 W 4TH ST, WATERLOO (319) 888-1000 BESTWESTERN.COM
1825 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 233-1800 STAYCOBBLESTONE.COM
COUNTRY INN & SUITES BY RADISSON
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 250 WESTFIELD, WATERLOO (319) 233-5531 MARRIOTT.COM
DAYS INN & SUITES
1809 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 235-4461 DAYSINN.COM
QUALITY INN & SUITES
2056 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 235-7000 CHOICEHOTELS.COM
2134 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 233-2500 OPENDOORHOSPITALITY.COM
HAMPTON INN
4025 HAMMOND AVE, WATERLOO (319) 233-2336 COUNTRYINNS.COM
2343 LOGAN AVE, WATERLOO (319) 236-3238 MOTEL6.COM
226 W 5TH ST, WATERLOO (319) 235-0301 CHOICEHOTELS.COM
COMFORT INN & SUITES 2011 LA PORTE RD, (319) 234-5452 COMFORTINN.COM
2141 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO MOTEL6.COM (319) 233-9191
450 EVANSDALE DR, EVANSDALE (319) 235-1111 DAYSINN.COM
SUPER 8
1825 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 233-1800 SUPER8.COM
2034 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 233-2044 HAMPTONINN.COM
2127 LA PORTE RD, WATERLOO (319) 274-7000 OPENDOORHOSPITALITY.COM
Bed & Breakfast
HOWARD JOHNSON
THE HISTORIC WEIS MANSION BED & BREAKFAST 800 W 4TH ST, WATERLOO (319) 493-7271
THEWEISMANSION.COM
3052 MARNIE AVE, WATERLOO (319) 232-7467 HOJO.COM
ISLE CASINO HOTEL WATERLOO
777 ISLE OF CAPRI BLVD, WATERLOO (319) 833-4753, (800) 843-4753 CAESARS.COM/ISLE-WATERLOO
FREE BREAKFAST
FITNESS CENTER
SMOKE FREE
HOTEL SHUTTLE
MEETING ROOMS
IN-HOUSE DINING
SWIMMING POOL
PET FRIENDLY
THE JAMES BLACK BUILDING 501 Sycamore St • Waterloo, IA 120 ROOMS 21
Experience Waterloo • Meeting Planner Guide
Spaces, Places Unforgettable Experiences
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716 Commercial Street Waterloo, Iowa 50701 (319) 233-8350 ExperienceWaterloo.com
@ExperienceWaterloo