IOWA GUIDE MEETING
A LITTLE BIT OF AND A LITTLE BIT OF
More than the meeting.
From riverside gatherings to historic locations and additional chain favorites, large conferences to small corporate groups. Dine alongside stingrays, cruise the Mississippi River, or dream at the iconic Field of Dreams Movie Site.
MEETING OPTIONS ARE ABUNDANT IN DUBUQUE, IOWA. With state of the art facilities featuring 2,000 to 86,000 square feet of space, this walkable and sustainable community welcomes meetings and conventions of 3 to 3,000 to gather along the Mississippi River any time of the year. Let’s connect.
HOW TO GET TO DUBUQUE
The Dubuque Regional Airport offers daily flights to and from Chicago O’Hare via Denver Air with connections on Delta, United and American. Your delegates can also drive in via four lanes on HWY 20 or via HWY 151/61/3. (Large groups make sure to inquire about complimentary motor coach transportation assistance.)
JULIE KRONLAGE VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES
563.845.7698 | JKRONLAGE@TRAVELDUBUQUE.COM
Chelsea Lerud Executive Director
Iowa Travel Industry Partners
WELCOME TO IOWA
We’re so glad you are considering Iowa as a host state for your next meeting or event. Iowa destinations offer many resources and amenities, including a central location, grant assistance, a variety of venue sizes, ground transportation options, off-theclock fun, gorgeous lodging, amazing local food and drink, and site selection and venue familiarization tours. Choosing Iowa for your meeting guarantees your guests will be wowed at every turn by our state and its unique experiences.
Iowa is the only state end-capped by two rivers, the Mississippi to the east and the Missouri to the west. Combine river cities such as Dubuque, the Quad Cities, Council Bluffs and Sioux City with lakefront resort towns like Clear Lake and Okoboji, and Iowa becomes a state rich in waterfront meeting possibilities.
Options stretch from smaller cities with lively downtowns and capable venues like the Amana Colonies, Mason City and Fort Dodge to larger cities with some of the state’s largest venues such as Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. But really, all communities in Iowa can be considered small, which means statewide you’ll find affordability, walkability, eclectic histories and interesting venues, all as our towns shirk small-town stereotypes. You’ll discover that Iowans take pride in their past and tend to preserve and transform historic buildings into unique accommodations and venues that impress through their history, elegance and world-class amenities.
You can turn an Iowa business trip into an excuse to explore, indulge or just get away. From roller coasters in Okoboji, Des Moines or Waterloo and riverboats on the Mississippi River to famed movie locations like The Field of Dreams Movie Site or the covered bridges in Madison County, exclusively Iowa venues symbolize the state’s spirit as they delight visitors. Many of these attractions double as meeting and event venues, perfect for meetings or receptions and offsite tours. And each time you return to Iowa, places to eat, shop and relax can be mixed and matched to create a brand-new experience.
As Iowa’s statewide tourism association, Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) supports its members with their tourism promotions. Meeting planners are encouraged to reach out to iTIP to help find the perfect Iowa destination and venue for their next event. Connections will be created with the right team of our members so your event will exceed every expectation. iTIP members are knowledgeable professionals who are ready to create the best experience for your next meeting and event in Iowa. Enjoy Midwest hospitality as you enjoy authentic Iowa experiences.
OFFICE: 515-207-0009
QC, THAT’S WHERE WE ARE THE CREATIVE CAPITAL OF THE MIDWEST .
Hostyournextevent inthe CreativeCapital ofthe Midwest! The QuadCitiesishometoEvanescentField atthe Figge Art Museum Iowa’slargest publicart display and a world-class light installationbyinternationally-acclaimed artist Leo Villareal It’sa shining e ample o the boldcreativitythatde ines our destination With6,500+ hotel rooms, distinctive venues, and inspiring attractions, the QCsetsthe stage or un orgettable e periences. Withe pertsupport, wemakeplanningeasy. Get started at visitquadcities.com/planners and let’s createsomething extraordinary!
IOWA
MAP MEETING
South Dakota
Sioux City
Council Bluffs
oboji
SIOUX GATEWAY AIRPORT
OMAHA EPPLEY AIRFIELD
Rockwell City
Sioux Center
Carroll
Honey Creek
Spencer
Le Mars
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Illinois Missouri
WHY MEET IN IOWA?
MBy Rachel Crick
eeting planners may not expect to strike gold in the heart of the Midwest, but they’ll find it in Iowa. Two major rivers border the state, and it’s not all flat. Sure there are sprawling plains, but lakes and bluffs are also part of the landscape. Farms are expected, but meeting planners also find cities and towns loaded with arts, history and culture. A mix of capable venues and charming offsites can handle meetings of all sizes, from large-scale expos and national conventions to intimate board meetings. Being in the country’s middle makes Iowa easy to reach and more affordable than many destinations. Tourism organizations that are eager collaborators can mean even greater savings. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what three planners who recently had meetings in Iowa have to say.
“It turned out really well for us financially to hold our event in Iowa.”
— Peter Harris
CAROLYN SLIGHTOM
National Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees Convention 300 attendees
Davenport
PETER HARRIS
National Police Collectors Show 250 attendees
Davenport
DARRIN SCHAEFER
Pony of the Americas Club National Banquet 115 attendees
Dubuque
ACCESSIBILITY
Thanks to its central location and easy access to interstates and international airports, Iowa is easy to reach. We asked planners, “How did accessibility affect your decision to meet in Iowa?”
Carolyn Slightom: We always try and find somewhere that’s easy to get to and that has a nice walkable downtown for people to get around in and that we can really show off. We felt that Davenport and the Quad Cities as a whole were places that we could show off. We recognized that the location made more sense for travel and accessibility than even Chicago.
Peter Harris: Most attendees who flew arrived via the airport in Moline, a quick 15-minute drive across the bridge to the venue. As far as the city goes, it’s right on Interstate 80, so you can get to it quite easily by car as well. It’s very convenient. If you have a national organization like we do, it’s right in the center of the country, so you don’t have people going from one coast to the other.
Darrin Schaefer: We were looking for someplace new to go. We’d never had a national convention or banquet in the state of Iowa. The second thing we always look for is proximity to air transportation. We had the Dubuque Regional Airport or the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids nearby, so getting our people in from throughout the country was very easy.
AFFORDABILITY
From affordable hotel rates to financial incentives like grant programs, Iowa can offer plenty of bargains. We asked planners, “How did Iowa’s price point affect your events?”
Carolyn Slightom: When we’re comparing Chicago to the Quad Cities, there’s no question there, it seemed more affordable. We were also able to receive a lot of grants by hosting in Iowa. Visit Quad Cities assisted us with some grants, and we applied for a Meet in Iowa grant. And then even the city of Davenport had a grant. So definitely, cost wise, there was no question that it was going to be more impactful to host our event in Iowa.
Peter Harris: The city put up quite a bit toward the hall and defrayed much of the cost that it would have been for us. We also got a grant through the state for holding our event there. It turned out really well for us financially to hold our event in Iowa.
Darrin Schaefer: The biggest consideration we use when selecting a place is price point. We’re not a very large organization, so we can’t assume a convention or a banquet that’s going to cost us a fortune. I asked attendees about the value, and everyone thought it was very good value for the money.
CarolynSlightom
“The CVB was really progressive. They were willing to think outside the box and work with any idea or thought that I had to enhance our event.”
— Carolyn Slightom
HANDS-ON PLANNING ASSISTANCE
CVBs and tourism organizations that provide hands-on planning assistance can help planners develop a program that packs a punch. We asked planners, “How did Iowa tourism organizations assist with the planning process?”
Carolyn Slightom: Visit Quad Cities is a progressive CVB. They were willing to think outside the box and work with any idea or thought that I had to enhance our event. They were willing to work with me hand-in-hand and got it done.
Peter Harris: When we started looking into it, we found that it was very feasible for us to hold the show in Iowa. When we got in contact with the CVB, it became even more feasible because they were such a huge help. Our event was a huge success based mainly on the fact that the CVB was so involved in our planning. We started selling our tables at the show the year before in San Bernardino, California. But it wasn’t just us. Visit Quad Cities came out with us so that they could help promote not just the show, but the area. When people had questions about what there is to do around there, we had somebody who was able to give them literature and answer their questions. I had no idea anybody would even do that.
Darrin Schaefer: I used Travel Dubuque, and they took all my information and went out and got me six bids from places in the Dubuque metropolitan area that wanted our business. I was then able to choose what I thought was the best fit for us. I was amazed that they would do that all for us while they were trying to get us there. When we got closer to the event, they called and asked again if there was anything they could do for us. They even got the mayor to come speak to us, which was kind of cool.
ITIP Awards
The annual iTIP Awards recognize excellence in tourism throughout the state of Iowa. The awards are open to all individuals, private businesses, for-profit and nonprofit organi zations offering a tourism and/or hospitality service in Iowa. Nominations occur throughout the spring each year with the iTIP Foundation Board of Trustees scoring the appli cations. All recipients were nominated by their peers.
The 2025 iTIP Award recipients were:
ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE:
DarrinSchaefer
• Small Market: Appanoose County Historical Stitchers, Centerville
• Medium Market: Herky On Parade, Think Iowa City
ONLY IN IOWA:
• Small Market: Johnny Clock Museum, Lockridge
• Medium Market: Hitchcock Nature Center, Pottawattamie County
RISING STAR:
• Small Market: Delaney Evers, Promoting Appanoose & Centerville Together (PACT)
• Medium Market: Hannah Ausenhus, Visit Mason City
• Large Market: Adam Bolander, Cedar Falls Tourism
SERVICE EXCELLENCE:
• Small Market: American State Bank Sports Complex, Sioux Center
• Large Market: Cabin Coffee Company, based in Clear Lake with locations statewide
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE:
• Small Market: Central Gardens of North Iowa, Clear Lake
• Medium Market: Meet Ottumwa and Wapello County Conservation
• Large Market: Principal Charity Classic, Des Moines
• Elected Official of the Year: Mayor Nelson Crabb, Clear Lake
• iTIP Partner of the Year: Kim Grzywacz, CIT
Signature Transportation
• The Abby Kisling Leadership Award: Terry Baker, Visit Fairfield
• The Joe Taylor Vision Award: Greg Edwards, Catch Des Moines and Wes Ehrecke, Iowa Gaming Association
“I heard nothing negative, just that it was a nice place, and they loved the downtown because it was historic. It was like nothing they’d ever experienced.”
— Darrin Schaefer
HAPPY ATTENDEES
When it comes to measuring an event’s ROI, attendee feedback is a great indicator of success. We asked planners, “What did your attendees have to say about meeting in Iowa?”
Carolyn Slightom: We’ve held this event across the country for the last 65 years, and attendees were saying it was the best convention they had been to in a very long time. We really feel like we blew it out of the park. Obviously, the fact that John Deere is there was great, and we went to a ball game at Modern Woodman Park in Davenport. It was just the variety that you could get staying in Davenport. There’s plenty to do no matter what your interests are. We were able to include history, sports, fine arts and agriculture — you know, there was really something for everybody.
Peter Harris: We got a lot of comments about the city. The accessibility to restaurants was big for most of our attendees. Many of our members are older and getting around is kind of a big deal for them. Many were very happy that there were restaurants within a block that they could get to without having to drive. I heard no complaints about the area.
Darrin Schaefer: The other thing that brought us to Iowa was Dubuque. Iowa has a lot to offer besides the meeting. People could snow ski, they could see the river museum. Many didn’t realize that the Mississippi River was right there. I heard nothing negative, just that it was a nice place, and they loved the downtown because it was historic. It was like nothing they’d ever experienced. That’s one of the reasons we’re coming back next year. People are saying, “I’m going to come and spend an extra day because there are things I want to do.”
Cedar Rapids is full of surprises
BY VICKIE MITCHELL
Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city, has never been short on interesting places to have off-site events. Who could resist the dazzle of its lovingly restored 1920s Paramount Theatre, with its half-block-long Hall of Mirrors? Or seeing Iowa’s diversity on proud display at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and African American Museum of Iowa. Awareness of Iowa’s beauty grows during outdoor events at Brucemore Mansion, a Victorian estate blessed with verdant gardens, and Indian Creek Nature Center, known for its net-zero construction and earth friendly approaches, as well as a roomy patio that overlooks a pond and woods and miles of trails. Cedar Rapids also offers some quirky options, like well-mannered llamas from a local farm who can greet guests at receptions.
And new developments in Cedar Rapids’ walkable downtown have added even more options for conferences and conventions.
WHAT’S BREWING IN CEDAR RAPIDS
As visitors immediately notice, Cedar Rapids is awash in breweries, and most welcome social gatherings. At Lion Bridge Brewing, in Czech Village, a beer garden invites get-togethers. Clock House Brewing encourages patrons to snack on duck fat fries from neighboring Black Sheep Social Club. Vintage arcade games entertain at the Quarter Barrel, while bicyclists roll into Iowa Brewing Company. The newest brewer, Big Grove Brewery,
CEDAR RAPIDS TOURISM
Julie Stow Director of Meetings and Conventions j.stow@tourismcedarrapids.com 319-731-4558 tourismcedarrapids.com
is a big presence in Kingston Yard, a retail, residential, entertainment and dining district two blocks from the Alliant Energy Powerhouse, Iowa’s newest convention center. It’s attached to the 267-room Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Complex; together, they offer 81,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 12,000-square-foot ballroom and 19,000 square feet of meeting rooms.
Another Kingston Yard business, Pickle Palace, is three levels of fun. Its ground level is dedicated to indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, with a bar, dining and a sunny patio. On the roof, a bar offers city views. On the second floor, Crown Hall, an open airy space with large windows overlooking the Cedar River, can be booked for events. Nearby, ground has been broken for a 123-room Marriott AC Hotel.
To get a true taste of Iowa, groups can visit NewBo City Market, in downtown’s New Bohemia neighborhood, where local chefs, artists and other entrepreneurs set up shop and sell their products. Outside, the Market’s park welcomes fun and games; inside, future groups will be able to book the Market’s second-floor Rotary Hall, which will be part of a major renovation beginning in September 2025. The Market’s food vendors will do the catering there.
Considering all that this city of 137,000 offers, it’s easy to see why meeting planners are usually surprised as they tour Cedar Rapids. They also can’t stop talking about the genuinely kind people they meet, says Emily Kleitsch, with Cedar Rapids Tourism. It’s proof, she points out, that “Iowa Nice,” is much more than a marketing slogan.
GETTING THERE
Eastern Iowa Airport is served by five airlines with 18 direct flights. I-80 and I-380 intersect in Cedar Rapids; Minneapolis, Chicago and Omaha, Nebraska are about 4 hours away; Kansas City is about 4.5 hours; St. Louis is 4 hours.
CourtesyExperienceWaterloo
Clockwise from top left: Waterloo’s Sullivan Museum; downtown Sioux City skyline; downtown Des Moines during fireworks; a concert in the Quad Cities; visiting Dubuque’s Fourth Street Elevator CourtesyExploreSiouxland
Courtesy Catch Des Moines
MAJOR PLAYERS
IBy Robin Roenker
owa rolls out the red carpet when it comes to meetings and conventions. From small gatherings to large-scale exhibitions, its top meeting venues offer captivating settings and sleek, modern facilities that take the stress out of event planning, so groups can focus on what’s important: networking, sharing ideas and information and, of course, having fun.
TheGrandRiver Center’s River Roomcascadesovertheriver,andhasmultiplemeeting spaceswithfloor-to-ceilingwindowsthat overlooktheriverin Dubuque.
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Left to right: Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center; Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf; a Dubuque mural
CourtesyMarshalltownAreaCOCCourtesyVisitQuadCities
Iowa Events Center
DES MOINES
As Iowa’s state capital and its largest city, Des Moines offers rich opportunities to explore history, science, arts and culture at stops like the Des Moines Art Center and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
The city is also home to the state’s largest meeting venue, the Iowa Events Center. The centrally located downtown facility attracts groups of all sizes, from intimate board meetings to large exhibitions with up to 17,000 attendees. The distinct, three-venue complex includes Casey’s Center, EMC Expo Center and the Community Choice Convention Center and features a 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 28,000-square-foot main ballroom and a newly opened, 10,560-square-foot junior ballroom.
Some 30 customizable meeting rooms are equipped with HD wall projectors to display large-scale videos and images. As a certified sensory inclusive facility, the venue supports visitors with special sensory needs through specialized services and facilities.
An in-house catering company, OVG Hospitality is hands on in designing formal menus and the center’s concessions team specializes in quick meal options.
Groups can stay at the connected Hilton Des Moines Downtown Hotel, which has 14,000 square feet of meeting space. Des Moines’ four miles of climate-controlled skywalk give the Iowa Events Center easy access to several other downtown hotels, including the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel, the Des Moines Marriott Downtown and the Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown iowaeventscenter.com
IowaEventsCenter inDesMoinesisacertifiedsensory inclusivefacility thatsupportsvisitorswithspecial sensoryneeds.
Grand River Center DUBUQUE
Founded in 1833, Dubuque embraces its rich history as the state’s first modern settlement. It’s also a river city at heart, home to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and a paved, half-mile Mississippi Riverwalk.
Sitting on the river’s bank, the Grand River Center, the city’s primary meeting and convention venue, is known for expansive, picturesque views of the storied waterway.
“Our riverfront location is breathtaking; we definitely have something special here,” said Rachel Clisch, the Grand River Center’s director of sales and marketing. “Most people have never seen a venue quite like this. Our River Room cascades over the river, and we have multiple meeting spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the river.”
Sitting at the junction of three states — Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois — the center’s 86,000 square feet of meeting space is spread across three floors. Groups of 20 to 3,333 can choose and customize spaces, from a 30,000-square-foot exhibit hall or a 10,000-squarefoot ballroom to six smaller meeting rooms.
In-house event services include a wide array of rentable A/V equipment and an in-house catering team that offers meal options to fit a group’s needs.
The attached Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark has 193 guest rooms. From there, attendees easily walk to historic downtown Dubuque for post-meeting dining and entertainment options. grandrivercenter.com
Dubuque’s Grand Harbor Resort
Courtesy Travel Dubuque
Mid-America Center
COUNCIL BLUFFS
As a key stop for Lewis and Clark and the starting point of the Transcontinental Railroad, Council Bluffs has long been pivotal in America’s westward expansion. Today, the city’s blend of top-tier amenities and accessibility make it a favorite for meeting planners.
Council Bluffs’ sleek and sprawling Mid-America Center — located four miles from downtown Omaha, Nebraska, across the Missouri River — features more than 70,000 square feet of flexible event space. Its 30,000-square-foot, 9,000-seat arena can be used in several ways with modifications: as an arena, as a reception space for 3,160 or as a banquet hall for 2,500.
The center also has a 24,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 10 small meeting rooms, 12 private suites and 13,515 square feet of pre-function gathering space.
The venue’s catering and convention services teams support groups’ varied dining, A/V and entertainment needs — including providing support with booking onsite live performances or securing group access to local attractions for team building. The center also has 2,600 free, outdoor parking spaces.
At the adjacent Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino there’s round-the-clock dining and entertainment and indoor walkway access to the Hilton Garden Inn Oma ha East/Council Bluffs, which has event space for up to 300 guests.
caesars.com/mid-america-center
Top to bottom: Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs; a Mid-America Center event setup; Hilton pre-function space in Des Moines; the exterior of the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines; Iowa Events Center interior
CourtesyCatchDesMoines
CourtesyCouncilBluffsCVB
CourtesyCouncilBluffsCVB
CourtesyCatchDesMoines
CourtesyCatchDesMoines
Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza WATERLOO
A longtime industrial hub for the state, Waterloo remains a center of manufacturing and innovation. It’s also home to family attractions like the interactive Bluedorn Science Imaginarium and Lost Island Waterpark, rated among the country’s best.
The city’s newly renovated Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza skillfully incorporates modern architectural elements like colorful LED lighting and lots of natural light. Its more than 40,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space includes a 19,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a large-scale conference room, four meeting rooms and a ballroom that can be divided into five spaces.
The facility’s two floors of flexible meeting spaces allow for banquet, classroom or theater seating for groups from 10 to 2,000 attendees. On-site food and beverage staff handle every program’s culinary needs.
The center’s A/V and equipment team can provide full-service A/V support plus draping, table decor and staging services. Paid parking for the convention center is available at multiple downtown public lots and garages nearby.
A connected skywalk makes staying at the adjacent Best Western Plus Executive Residency Waterloo and Cedar Falls weatherproof and trouble-free. During their downtime, attendees can explore the Cedar River waterfront on miles of paved trails or head to the visitor-favorite John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum for handson exhibits at the site of the company’s first factory. waterlooconventioncenter.com
Awatertaxicalled theChannelCat,whichdocksnear theconventioncenter,offershop-on, hop-offaccesstomultiplelocationswithinthegreater QuadCitiesarea.
Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center BETTENDORF
Conveniently connected by skywalk to the largest hotel in Iowa — the 509-room Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf — the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center offers 25,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 14,000-square-foot ballroom and eight smaller meeting rooms. The center’s walls of windows let in plenty of natural light and views of downtown Bettendorf.
“It’s a very flexible, versatile, multi-functional space,” said Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “The facility can easily accommodate groups of up to 1,800 people, so it’s a wonderful place to host a largescale meeting or event.”
Thanks to its location on the Mississippi River, the convention center also delivers many after-meeting exploration options. “You can literally walk out of the hotel and walk or bike for miles along the Mississippi River on pathways or even travel across the river via pedestrian access on the I-74 Bridge. People love to stop in the middle of the bridge, over the water, for a great Instagramable photo moment,” Herrell said.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, a water taxi called the Channel Cat, which docks near the convention center, offers hop-on, hop-off access to multiple locations within the greater Quad Cities area, including shops and dining in the historic Village of East Davenport
Staff at the convention center provide A/V, security, decorating and catering, while the adjacent Isle Casino delivers all-day gaming and entertainment. caesars.com/isle-bettendorf
Waterloo Convention Center
Courtesy Travel Iowa
1,500
Rural Charm
State-of-the-art, metropolitan convention centers offer exemplary meeting amenities, but so do venues that are smaller and off the beaten path. For meeting spots with one-of-a-kind charm, Iowa delivers a fun mix of options, from cozy lodges to fairgrounds and more.
Facilities like the River Valley Lodge and Campground of Farmington, in Iowa’s southeastern corner, accommodate midsize groups of roughly 125 guests in a setting with Western charm.
For a midcentury modern, artsy aesthetic, the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center in Marshalltown, 40 miles from Ames, welcomes groups from 48 to 764. The North Iowa Events Center in Mason City, 84 miles from Waterloo, has multiple large-scale meeting rooms of up to 26,000 square feet, including an indoor arena and two dedicated climate-controlled buildings that can seat 250 or 650 guests. The Calhoun County Expo Center in Rockwell City, 25 miles from Fort Dodge, has an event space for 300.
The Eagle Point Park Lodge in Clinton, about 30 miles from the Quad Cities, also seats 300 in a modern, cabin-style gathering hall that opens to stunning views of the Mississippi River.
Sioux City Convention Center
SIOUX CITY
Situated in Iowa’s upper west corner — where the Missouri River separates Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa — Sioux City embraces its role as a tri-state gathering point. The city is home to vibrant shopping and historic districts plus interactive attractions, including the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Sioux City Public Museum.
For meetings, the Sioux City Convention Center, located downtown and connected to the 150-room Courtyard by Marriott Sioux City Downtown, offers 56,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space in three spacious halls and 10 smaller meeting and exhibit rooms.
“We’re able to accommodate groups of up to 700 guests down to meetings of 10 people,” said Amada Contreras-Sappingfield, director of marketing for the Oak View Group, which oversees the facility.
An on-site catering team that includes an executive chef and catering manager can curate menus. “We can match any dining vision a group has in mind, from a customized, formal plated meal to a fun buffet,” Contreras-Sappingfield said. Other services include A/V assistance, set-up and tear-down support, and food and beverage service.
Between meetings, attendees can walk to downtown Sioux City to dine and drink at local restaurants, attend sporting events and concerts at the Tyson Events Center or see a Broadway show at the Orpheum Theatre. siouxcityconventioncenter.com
Sioux City Convention Center
PhotoscourtesyExploreSiouxland
Courtesy Grow Clinton
Eagle Point Park Lodge
ExploreSiouxland.com FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT IN
Conveniently located in the heart of the Upper Midwest, Siouxland sits at the crossroads of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, making it accessible to attendees from across the country. From top-tier facilities and one-of-a-kind venues, Explore Siouxland sets the stage for successful events of all sizes. But the experience doesn’t end in the meeting room. Attendees can immerse themselves in Siouxland’s dynamic arts and culture scene, catch thrilling sports, and savor delicious dining. Plus, with vibrant shopping and entertainment around every corner, there’s plenty to keep them inspired and engaged throughout their stay. Make your next meeting not just productive— but memorable. Start planning today at ExploreSiouxland.com
Clockwise from top left: A shop in downtown Cedar Falls; Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake; art in Fairfield; Eldon’s American Gothic House; the Refocus Film Festival at Iowa City’s Englert Theatre CourtesyCedarFallsTourism
Courtesy Visit Fairfield
CULTURAL CAPITALS
IBy Robin Roenker
owa’s culture-savvy cities embrace their creative side, with venues that showcase the best in local and national music, art and performance. In addition to giving groups ample options for post-meeting entertainment, these art-rich spots also do double duty as engaging meeting venues.
IowaCityisthefirst cityintheUnitedStatestobenameda UNESCOCityofLiterature,thanksinlargeparttotheIowaWriters’WorkshopattheUniversityofIowa.
Left to right:
Late Harvest Brewery in Sioux Center; Figge Art Museum in Davenport
Iowa City
The first city in the United States to be named a UNESCO City of Literature, thanks in large part to the world-renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, Iowa City is a haven for art in all forms.
“In 2022 the state of Iowa designated our downtown as a cultural and entertainment district,” said Stacey Houseman, vice president of sales for Think Iowa City. “Our community stakeholders are deeply committed to prioritizing arts and culture in our community.”
Visitors can explore the city’s rich literary tradition through a self-guided “Lit-Walk” tour, which features bronze-engraved quotes celebrating authors with ties to Iowa City and/or the University of Iowa. Highlights include the Iowa Writers’ House and Prairie Lights Books, one-time hangout of Carl Sandburg, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost and other literary greats. The 231room Graduate by Hilton Iowa City plays on its location with a literary theme throughout, including its 12,000 square feet of meeting space.
IowaCityhighlightsinclude PrairieLightsBooks,one-timehangoutofCarlSandburg,Langston Hughes,RobertFrostandotherliterarygreats.
Downtown, the 740-seat Englert Theatre and the University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium offer a steady calendar of concerts, performances, and Broadway-series plays and musicals. Both also double as meeting spaces.
A host of bars and smaller performance venues offer live music every weekend, and the city’s many local art galleries make it easy to enjoy the work of area artists.
The city is also home to Refocus Film Festival, a celebration of the art of adaptation — transforming one creative medium into another. With films inspired by literature, journalism, music, visual art and even podcasts, the festival shares the spotlight with the Iowa City Book Festival, tying back to the community’s enduring love of the written word.
Iowa City’s new X Marks the Arts campaign promotes its thriving downtown arts scene.
“We want to capture and share just how much art and entertainment there is to experience right here in Iowa City,” Houseman said.
thinkiowacity.com
Top to bottom: The James Theater Lobby in Iowa City; a book festival at the Old Capitol Museum; the Englert Theatre sign; the Hancher Auditorium exterior
Photos courtesy Think Iowa City
Ottumwa
With residents who represent more than 40 nation alities, Ottumwa boasts an uncommonly rich blend of international culture, a fact trumpeted by the city’s tag line: “Where Iowa Meets the World.”
At the state-of-the-art, 92,000-square-foot Bridge View Center, a 664-seat theater, meeting rooms, an expo hall and a grand lobby with panoramic views of the nearby Des Moines River serve both performing artists and meeting groups.
“At certain times of the year, you can watch several dozen American bald eagles nesting from the center’s grounds, which is so fun,” said Laura Carrell, executive director of Meet Ottumwa.
The city of Eldon, 20 minutes from Ottumwa, claims fame as home to the house that inspired Grant Wood’s painting, “American Gothic.” Guests flock to the American Gothic House Center to re-create the iconic image, and this year, the city has special events planned to commemorate the artwork’s 95th anniversary.
Each Labor Day, Ottumwa attracts hundreds of antique airplanes from throughout the nation for its Antique Airplane Association’s Air Power Museum flyover, a favorite for aviation buffs.
Fans of the TV series “M*A*S*H” will appreciate the city’s Radar O’Reilly M*A*S*H Exhibit. Ottumwa was fictional character Radar O’Reilly’s hometown, and ex hibits feature quotes about Ottumwa from the series and insights into the inspiration behind the stories.
“The author of the M*A*S*H novel, Richard Hooker, based the character of Radar on a real person named Don ald Shaffer,” Carrell said. “He actually was from Ottumwa.” meetottumwa.org
Top to bottom: Ottumwa’s Bridge View Center (outer) and the Bridge View Center interior (middle); a performance in the Bridge View Expo Hall; American Gothic House photo-op; a M*A*S*H photo-op
PhotoscourtesyMeetOttumwa
Davenport
As the largest metro area in the Quad Cities, Davenport — population 103,000 — plays a central role in the region’s thriving arts community.
“We are very arts and culture-centric in the Quad Cities, from live music and theater to our 20-plus museums, which are very diverse in their focus and what they have to offer,” said Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities.
Davenport museum must-stops include the Figge Art Museum, a striking glass artwork itself, next to the Mississippi River. More than 4,000 works date from the 15th century to the present and include works by American, Colonial Mexican and Haitian artists. The museum is also an elegant setting for corporate meetings, events and weddings.
The German American Heritage Center highlights the region’s German immigrant experience and features a fourth-floor event venue that can accommodate 150 guests. The Putnam Museum and Science Center is family friendly, with hands-on exhibits on history and the natural world and event space for 250 attendees.
Davenport is also home to the Quad City Symphony Orchestra — one of the longest-running symphony orchestras in the country — and two vibrant live performance venues like the Capitol Theatre and the Adler Theatre, the Art Deco-inspired, nearly 2,500-seat theater that’s part of Davenport’s RiverCenter.
Downtown at the newly opened Last Picture House, a boutique independent theater, groups can book event spaces and watch movies and enjoy views of the city and the Mississippi River in a rooftop cinema.
“Our downtown is just so vibrant, and we have a wonderful nightlife scene here with great restaurants and so many interesting places to connect,” Herrell said. visitquadcities.com
CedarFallsIceHouseMuseumistheonlymuseum dedicatedtoiceharvestingintheU.S. Groupscanrentthe museum’shistoric icehouseasameetingvenue.
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls’ vibrant downtown district includes oneof-a-kind stops like the Behrens-Rapp Filling Station, a historic gas station turned visitor center with old pumps still in place, and the Cedar Falls Ice House Museum, the only museum dedicated to ice harvesting in the U.S. Throughout the year, groups can rent the museum’s historic ice house as a meeting venue.
“During specific years, the Cedar Falls Historical Society hosts an early February Ice Harvest Festival,” said Adam Bolander, sales and marketing coordinator for Cedar Falls Tourism. “They bring in people to harvest ice directly out of Big Woods Lake, so visitors get to see how all that is done.”
The city-run Hearst Center for the Arts offers arts and cultural events, including educational programming and live performances. The center’s Hearst Sculpture Garden is among the stops on the self-guided Cedar Falls Public Art Tour, which incorporates some two dozen colorful, three-dimensional pieces that are peppered throughout downtown.
The Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, on the University of Northern Iowa campus, seats 1,600 guests and offers a full schedule of performances, from Broadway touring shows to classical music, dance and comedy. A recent $14 million renovation updated the lobby and added a VIP lounge.
“The facility is a performing space that doubles as a high-end meeting space, where all the lighting, sound and visuals are handled by a professional team,” Bolander said. “The lobby has a beautiful grand staircase and is an ideal space for receptions.”
cedarfallstourism.org/builtforbusiness
The Last Picture House Sign in Davenport Courtesy Visit Quad Cities
Clear Lake
True to its name, Clear Lake is big on water fun of all types, from boating and fishing to jet skiing. Visi tors can catch some sun or swim at Clear Lake State Park Beach, explore the 14-mile path around the lake on rented e-bikes, or tour the lake in style on a dou ble-decker boat with Lady of the Lake Cruises, whose boat can also double as an event venue.
“The lake, which our town is named after, is definitely our number one attraction,” said Libbey Hohn, director of tourism for the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
The city’s famed Surf Ballroom — etched in history as the last concert location for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper before their tragic plane crash in 1959 — is still in operation, with a steady calendar of live performances and plans to expand.
Clockwise from left: Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls; bicycles in front of Clear Lake’s Lady of the Lake; winter dance at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
Cedar Falls is Built For Business
BOOK THIS VENUE
Raise a Glass
Who says meetings and happy hour can’t coexist? Many of Iowa’s most beloved breweries, wineries and distilleries have meeting spaces that let groups mix and mingle with a beverage of choice in hand.
Big Grove Brewery, with locations in Iowa City, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, is home to favorites like Easy Eddy IPA and elevated pubstyle dining. It offers both indoor and outdoor meeting areas for group gatherings.
In Sioux Center, Late Harvest Brewery’s Bushel Room is a sleek, light-filled space with floor-to-ceiling windows and easy access to the brewery’s craft brews and made-to-order brick oven pizza.
To the east, Decorah’s Toppling Goliath Brewing Company makes meeting planning simple, with three event space options — a semi-private upper level, a VIP room or an outdoor event tent — plus a full catering menu.
Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, located between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, is home to award-winning whiskeys and wines plus a picturesque event venue among its vineyards. Its primary events center seats 200 guests, while its more intimate Vineyard Room seats up to 40, both in settings that offer sweeping views of the property.
Grape vines — and the Iowa wines they make — are the stars at Carroll’s Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery. Two banquet halls can each host 150 people, and a charming tasting room and outdoor courtyard are other options for gatherings.
“The Surf is undergoing a $35 million project to add a new Music Experience Center, where they will hold immersive events similar to The Van Gogh Experience,” Hohn said. “It will be very high tech and focus not just on rock or music of the 1950s but all genres.” The new center will also have event space, capitalizing on the Surf Ballroom’s popularity with groups.
The city’s downtown, about five blocks from the Surf district, includes the Clear Lake Arts Center, with meeting space, a public garden, and shops and dining. “We’re a small town, so everything’s very walkable here,” said Hohn.
clearlakeiowa.com
Fairfield
Though small in size, with a population of under 10,000, Fairfield is home to a vibrant community of creatives, from musicians and painters to writers, actors and poets.
“Our creative community is over 300 people strong, and they have really put a positive stamp on our town,” said Terry Baker, executive director of Visit Fairfield. “That has led to a wonderful mix of galleries, like the Icon Gallery and Freeform Art Gallery, which have popped up to support and promote local artists. These spaces — a little unexpected for a community our size — have expanded people’s access to and experience with art in a beautiful way.”
Downtown, the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center is home to the Fairfield Art Association Art Gallery and doubles as a 500-seat performance venue and a convention and meeting space. The facility brings in national and international touring musicians and performers, including a Broadway series.
Once a month, the First Fridays Art Walk, a themed, guided art tour, often highlights student art at local schools.
Left: Clear Lake State Park Beach
Below: A dock on Clear Lake PhotoscourtesyClearLakeAreaCOC
Courtesy Visit Decorah
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Pop-up musical performances — from folk and Celtic to hip hop — are often on the menu at Café Par adiso, a local coffee shop that also hosts poetry and spoken word exhibitions. Throughout the summer, free musical performances entertain during Live on the Square events and occasional street concerts outside the convention center.
“We’re all about offering places for everyone to come together here,” Baker said.
visitfairfieldiowa.com
performances—fromfolkandCeltic tohiphop—areoftenonthemenu atCaféParadiso inFairfield.
CourtesyCouncilBluffsCVB
Clockwise from top left: The Loess Hills at Hitchcock Nature Center near Council Bluffs; an aerial view of Amana’s Hotel Millwright; Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing; Reiman Gardens in Ames; a farm-to-table dinner at the Indian Creek Nature Center outside of Cedar Rapids
CourtesyHotelMillwright CourtesyCedarRapidsTourism
Courtesy Main Street Studios CourtesyTravelIowa
ECO-CONSCIOUS IOWA
By Robin Roenker
Attendees are more eco-conscious than ever, so they’ll enjoy exploring all of Iowa’s green venues. The state, with its focus on agriculture and abundant natural areas, has made great strides in sustainability. From picturesque gardens to nature-focused exhibit halls to living buildings, Iowa’s sustainable meeting spaces let attendees feel good about gathering.
Historiccharmand moderncomfortcombineatHotelMillwright,aboutique hotelandmeeting venuethatwasoriginallya19th-centurywoolenmill.
Left to right: A meeting space in Indian Creek Nature Center; charcuterie at Taste Osage
CourtesyIndianCreekNatureCenter
Indian Creek Nature Center CEDAR RAPIDS
Indian Creek Nature Center is a perfect nature escape; with seven miles of nature trails that weave through 400 acres of restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands, it’s just five miles from downtown Cedar Rapids.
The center’s 12,000-square-foot main facility, built in 2016 and known as Amazing Space, is bright, airy and modern with exposed wood beams and windows that look out on the picturesque property. On one side, the facility opens onto a patio with multiple pergolas and seating areas.
The building is Living Building Challenge Petal-Certified, meaning it met rigorous criteria for sustainable building design and performance, including net-zero energy and water use.
“That certification signals to everyone that this building is one of a kind in Iowa,” said Sarah Botkin, Amazing Space manager. “Our design mirrors the ideals that we try to promote at the nature center, including being champions of nature.”
All Amazing Space rooms are equipped with A/V, and chairs and tables are provided. The largest room, the auditorium, seats 120 at round tables and includes access to a catering kitchen. Other meeting spaces include classrooms and conference rooms and an exhibit hall.
The building’s idyllic setting makes it a favorite.
“We’re in such a beautiful natural area,” Botkin said. “People say that even though we’re just minutes from the city, there’s such a relaxing, peaceful feeling here.” indiancreeknaturecenter.org
IndianCreekNature Center’sAmazing SpaceisLivingBuildingChallenge Petal-Certified,
meaningitmetrigorouscriteria forsustainablebuildingdesign.
Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center LANSING
Nestled on limestone bluffs on the outskirts of Lansing, the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center is both an educational center and headquarters for the Allamakee County Conservation Board.
The 10,500-square-foot building is bright and inviting, with windows and observation decks that overlook the nearby Mississippi River. Its interactive exhibits explore the Native peoples and natural history of the Driftless Area, a rugged American Midwest region marked by steep hills and deep river valleys. Live animal exhibits display native fish, reptiles and amphibians.
Opened in 2017, the facility dedicates two floors to exhibits. The third is dedicated meeting space for groups of 40 to 50.
Staff can connect planners to local caterers, and a projector is provided for A/V presentations.
While there is a trail near the facility, it isn’t an easy stroll.
“It’s steep, and it’s rough. I like to say it’s the hardest half mile in Iowa,” said conservation board director Ross Geerdes. He suggests attendees may wish to turn instead to the trail system in Lansing, including at Mount Hosmer Park, for more accessible nature walks.
Reaching the center is easy, as it sits 40 miles south of La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the Great River Road, a national scenic byway that runs along the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana. allamakeecountyconservation.org/driftless-center
Amazing Space at the Indian Creek Nature Center
Courtesy Indian Creek Nature Center
Hotel Millwright AMANA
Historic charm and modern comfort combine at Hotel Millwright, a 65-room boutique hotel and meet ing venue that was originally a 19th-century woolen mill.
A portion of the property continues to be a working textile mill, producing high-quality woolen pieces, in cluding the blankets and sheets used in the hotel guest rooms. Sustainable design principles guided the property’s transformation to hotel and event center, from the use of eco-friendly, methane-powered electricity to landscaping with water-conserving native plants.
The 7,000-square-foot Merino Loft occupies the second floor of the property’s historic weaving building. With room for up to 225 guests, it features exposed brick, hardwood floors and a wall of elongated windows that flood the room with natural light.
Left to right: An event setup in Hotel Millwright’s Merino Loft; the interior of the Driftless AEVC; a meeting room in the Indian Creek Nature Center
CourtesyMainStreetStudios
CourtesyHotelMillwright
CourtesyIndianCreekNatureCenter
“We kept everything we could keep, from the original walls and windows to the original beams,” said Keeley Degel, Hotel Millwright’s director of sales. “There was a really catastrophic fire on the property in 1923, and in some places, you can still see the soot from that fire on the beams.”
Smaller groups can also gather at the more intimate Carding Studio, housed in the former millwright workshop, with space for up to 50 people.
The property includes a full catering service plus the Indigo Room, an on-site restaurant that serves upscale cuisine and house-baked pastries. The Electric Thread, the property’s bar and lounge, encourages downtime socializing at its creekside beer garden patio.
hotelmillwright.com
where natural stone and wood accents mix with floorto-ceiling windows that provide unimpeded views of the property.
The 2,400-square-foot Garden Room accommodates up to 250 attendees, while the 1,296-square-foot auditorium can fit up to 100. Renting the 960-square-foot Speer Room, with space for up to 80 people, also includes access to a patio. There are smaller classrooms and conference rooms for groups of 50 or fewer. Outside the main building, the Hunziker House, with a capacity for 80, includes a modern meeting room with stunning garden views.
On-site teams can connect groups to approved caterers, and the facility offers rentals for all A/V needs.
When groups meet on property, admission to Reiman Gardens is free.
Reiman Gardens AMES
Part of the Iowa State University campus, Reiman Gardens is known for its 17 acres of botanicals, including elaborate displays of roses and native prairie flowers and plants.
In operation since 1995, the gardens host special events throughout the year, from art workshops and trivia nights to seasonal events like Orchid Fest, Spring Enchantment — timed for the arrival of spring bulbs — and the Halloween-themed Spirits in the Gardens festival.
Groups can meet in its six meeting rooms, including in its largest room, the main Conservatory Complex,
“I think groups enjoy that they can walk in the gardens during breaks and just enjoy the beauty that we have here,” said Reiman Gardens private event coordinator Saylor Upah.
reimangardens.com
PartoftheIowaState
Universitycampus
inAmes,ReimanGardensisknown forits17acresofbotanicals,including …nativeprairieflowersandplants.
Above: Conference room at Reiman Gardens
Right: Reiman Gardens Auditorium
Photos courtesy Reiman Gardens
From Farm To You
As one of America’s leading agricultural states, Iowa has no shortage of farmfresh dining options.
From shifting seasonal menus that employ local harvests to chef-curated events, these restaurants offer some of Iowa’s best farm-totable experiences.
At Wallace Centers of Iowa in Orient, “Fresh from the Farm Dinners” are multicourse events centering on a specific Wallace Farm-grown ingredient. At the farm’s “Know Your Farmer Dinners,” guests can chat one-onone with Iowa growers.
In Osage, chef Jessica Baldus creates a seasonal menu and monthly progressive dinners that emphasize locally sourced ingredients at her reservation-only restaurant Taste Osage.
The “Feed and Field” dinners at Three Pines Farm in Cedar Falls are private dining experiences that use locally sourced ingredients. Dinners are held in the farm’s barn. After the meal, diners can tour the property and meet and feed the farm’s goats, pigs and other animals.
In Spencer, Century Farms Distillery’s “Corn to Whiskey” program names bottles of whiskey and bourbon after the farm that grew the corn used in their production.
Each August, Iowa City Downtown District joins forces with local partners to host the annual Farm to Street Dinner, a multi-course meal prepared by resident chefs and sourced from nearby farms and producers. Its goal is to help attendees connect with the sources of their food.
Heartwood Pavilion at Hitchcock Nature Center
HONEY CREEK
The Hitchcock Nature Center, a 1,268-acre prairie and forest preserve, sits near the Missouri Valley within the unique Loess Hills of Iowa, so named for their formation from deposits of loess — fine, windblown soils — at the end of the last ice age.
“Western Iowa is one of only two places in the world that have a Loess Hills landform — the other is in China,” said Jeff Franco, executive director of Pottawattamie County Conservation, which oversees the area.
Located 15 minutes north of Council Bluffs, the nature center’s lodging includes cottages, RV sites and tent camping spots. Its newly opened Heartwood Pavilion sits near the south entrance to the nature center. The open-sided, outdoor, covered meeting area has a concrete floor, a fireplace, electricity, a refrigerator and microwave, and access to restrooms and picnic tables.
The pavilion uses natural edge timbers — which still retain the look of live trees — as its vertical support timbers, while the overhead beams and pavilion siding are also made of timber harvested from the area.
“All the timber was felled at the nature center as part of our ecological restoration process to preserve and support the natural prairie here,” Franco said.
Signage in the building details the pavilion designers’ commitment to construction in harmony with nature and the surrounding landscape.
Nearby, the nature center’s Moonseed Trail, part of its 10-mile trail system, is a two-mile trek perfect for seeing wildflowers in bloom. pottconservation.com/facilities/ heartwood_pavilion
Heartwood Pavilion
Photoscourtesy PottawattamieCountyConservation
Courtesy Three Pines Farm
Three Pines Farm
Clockwise from top left: Art at Fort Dodge’s Blanden Art Museum; Arnolds Park in Okoboji; a group in a dragon boat at Kennedy Memorial Park in Fort Dodge; LeClaire’s Riverboat Twilight; a mural at the Iowa State Fair; Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars CourtesyVisitFortDodge
Courtesy Visit Fort Dodge
Courtesy Vacation Okoboji
BLEISURE ABOUNDS
IBy Robin Roenker
n 2025, as many meeting attendees extend their business trips and even bring their families along, there’s increased demand for destinations that boast opportunities for business and leisure — also known as “bleisure.” Iowa’s multi-faceted towns and cities offer dining, shopping, museums, lakes, parks and attractions — more than enough to fill pre-meeting and post-meeting days with fun. Whether they’re traveling to an Iowa-based event alone or bringing the whole family, attendees will want to block extra time to enjoy these and other Iowa cities.
ArnoldsPark—oneofthelongest-operatingamusement parksintheworld— featuresarollercoaster,aswellaseventspaceinOkoboji.
Left to right: Fishing in Decorah; Indianola’s National Balloon Classic CourtesyVisitDecorah
Okoboji
The Iowa Great Lakes Region is a water-lover’s paradise, with dozens of fun ways to explore and enjoy its chain of interconnected lakes.
The city of Okoboji offers an ideal vantage point to take in the area’s highlights, from water sports on West Okoboji Lake or East Okoboji Lake to fishing at Spirit Lake.
“No matter what time of year you come, there are lots of lake-based recreational activities to enjoy,” said Kiley Zankowski, Vacation Okoboji’s executive director. “We offer private boat tours of the lake, as well as boats, jet waves, paddle boards, kayaks and canoes to rent.”
Area parks, like Gull Point State Park and Pikes Point State Park, offer more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus opportunities to camp and swim.
Downtown, local shops are joined by an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. There are free concerts — plus fireworks — every Saturday, all summer long, at Preservation Plaza, a lakefront park and pavilion.
Thirteen museums supply indoor fun, including the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum and Okoboji Classic Cars, a vintage car museum that’s also a top off-site venue.
Families can find fun, interactive exhibits about wildlife of the region at the Dickinson County Nature Center. Nearby, Arnolds Park Amusement Park — one of the longest-operating amusement parks in the world — features a roller coaster, a raceway and more than 20 other kid-friendly attractions, as well as event space.
vacationokoboji.com
Decorah
Downtown Decorahishometothehistoric,34-roomHotelWinneshiekandadjoiningSteyer OperaHouse.
Nestled in Iowa’s Driftless Area — characterized by picturesque hills, river valleys and limestone bluffs left untouched by glaciers — Decorah is big on outdoor fun.
There are plenty of ways to be immersed in the natural beauty, from waterfalls at Dunning’s Spring Park to biking on the 11-mile Trout Run Trail or paddling along the Upper Iowa River, which runs through town.
“We are not the flatlands that people might expect from other portions of the Midwest,” said Alyssa Ritter, marketing and community engagement specialist for Visit Decorah. “Our topography is perfect for hiking and biking or, during the winter, for cross-country skiing.”
The city’s 12-block, walkable downtown is the true heart of the community. It’s where visitors can shop for their next favorite novel at Dragonfly Books or find local handmade crafts at Agora Arts before they explore the world’s largest collection of Norwegian-American artifacts at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, which can host events in multiple indoor and outdoor spaces. Downtown is also home to the historic, 34-room Hotel Winneshiek and adjoining Steyer Opera House, which offer an elegant backdrop for every event from business meetings to banquets.
“Our downtown community is so vibrant,” Ritter said. “In addition to shops and dining, we offer more than 500 arts events downtown each year, from poetry slams and live music to lectures and workshops.”
Visitors can enjoy a tour of Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, sample its multiple award-winning beers and host an event at its upstairs venue. For dinner, Luna Valley Farm — a working farm 15 minutes from downtown — serves wood-fired pizza with local ingredients on an outdoor pavilion that overlooks its picturesque grounds.
visitdecorah.com
Trout Run Trail in Decorah
Courtesy Travel Iowa
LeClaire
History in LeClaire runs deep, thanks to its pivotal role as a crucial port along the Mississippi River during the river’s shipping heyday.
Visitors can view the Mississippi by car along the Iowa Great River Road Scenic Byway or cruise along its storied waters on the Riverboat Twilight, a LeClaire-based riverboat with cruises from 90 minutes to two days in length.
Bird lovers flock to the area to see bald eagles and pelicans, while history fans find plenty to explore at attractions like the Buffalo Bill Museum, which shines a light on the life of the famed rodeo entertainer and LeClaire native. The museum also houses The Lone Star, the last wooden-hulled paddlewheel tugboat to operate on the Mississippi River.
Vintage shoppers can spend an hour or more browsing Antique Archaeology, run by Mike Wolfe of “American Pickers” fame.
Downtown’s Cody Road District is a nine-block area of 60 historic structures that house restaurants, boutiques and gift shops. Meanwhile, the area’s wineries and breweries, including Wide River Winery and Green Tree Brewery, are inviting spots to sip a locally crafted drink among friends. Mississippi River Distilling Company doubles as an event venue and a place to sip spirits.
Every January, the city hosts the LeClaire Eagle Festival, with eagle watching, wildlife presentations and ice-carving demonstrations. Christmas in LeClaire, another popular annual event, is three days of holiday themed festivities each December. Planners will find capable meeting and event venues at the LeClaire Civic Center and the River View Lodge. visitleclaire.com
LeClaire businesses, left to right: Mississippi River Distilling Company; Antique Archaeology; shopping at Dwellings
PhotoscourtesyTravelIowa
Mark Your Calendar
Planners can make the most of their time in Iowa by syncing meeting dates to marquee annual festivals and events — think of it as built-in entertainment and team building.
The beloved Iowa State Fair, one of the largest and longest-running state fairs in the country, packs the fairgrounds in Des Moines with classic fair foods, midway rides, live performances, agricultural competitions and blue-ribbon recipes each August.
The annual National Balloon Classic dots the sky above Indianola with more than 100 colorful hot-air balloons for nine days in mid-summer. In addition to daily balloon competitions, there are also nightly balloon glows, fireworks, food vendors and live music.
Le Mars showcases why it’s the Ice Cream Capital of the World with a carnival, parade, live entertainment and, of course, ice cream tastings during Ice Cream Days, the city’s annual peak-of-summer party.
Dubuque welcomes spring each year with its Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, an internationally recognized indie film fest that spotlights emerging cinema talent with a week of movie screenings and talks with film creatives.
Iowa’s largest annual Irish cultural celebration, the Iowa Irish Fest is held in Waterloo on the first weekend in August and includes a 5K run/walk, Celtic music and dance, Highland games and authentic Irish cuisine.
Fort Dodge
With more than 30 locally owned restaurants, public art and opportunities for golfing, kayaking and other outdoor recreation, Fort Dodge naturally blends work and play.
The Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy is a perfect example of this. The entertainment complex is home to activities like laser tag and mini golf, while its largest event spaces can accommodate up to 400 attendees. Fort Dodge’s eight branded hotels with 800 guest rooms make lodging a breeze for attendees.
“Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions in Fort Dodge,” said Tiffany Conrad, community sales manager for Visit Fort Dodge. “From miles of outdoor water and land trails to a diverse range of indoor activities, there are many options for fun and relaxation, all within a 15-minute drive.”
The Blanden Memorial Art Museum offers tours of its expansive collection of American, European and Japanese paintings, sculpture and photography. Also downtown, the Laramar Ballroom, a restored historic event venue, frequently hosts live performances, dances and other social events.
Visitors can explore Fort Dodge’s early history through exhibits at The Fort Museum and Frontier Village or take in a live comedy or music performance at Crossroads Hotel and Events Center.
In addition to restaurants and shops, downtown Fort Dodge is home to Shiny Top Brewing and River Hops Brewing, where guests can enjoy local craft brews and listen to live music.
Solider Creek Winery also frequently hosts live events at its 6.5-acre vineyard. Nearby, The Community Orchard, an apple orchard and café, offers a retail shop, an outdoor playground and seasonal events, including an annual apple festival.
dodgetheordinary.com
Left: Appetizers at Shiny Top Brewing
Below: Fort Frenzy
PhotosCourtesyVisitFortDodge
Courtesy Travel Iowa
Iowa State Fair
THIS COULD BE YOUR CAMERA ROLL.
ARE YOU HUNGRY?
MEET IN THE MIDDLE!
Selecting Iowa for your meeting guarantees your event will be accompanied with unique experiences and guests will be wowed at every turn! Transform an Iowa business trip into an excuse to explore, indulge, or just get away. Enjoy the Midwest hospitality as you explore a range of authentic Iowa experiences.
Courtesy Explore Siouxland
Convivium restaurant in Dubuque
The Hilton Coliseum in Ames
Courtesy Discover Ames
An event in Ottumwa
Courtesy Meet Ottumwa
Siouxland’s Veterans Memorial Bridge
Courtesy Travel Dubuque
Hotel Millwright in Amana
Courtesy Hotel Millwright