2019 SPG's State Guide to Sports in Iowa

SPG

2019

IOWA GUIDE

More than Just a Sport

Wrestling is an institution in Iowa

Craft breweries surging onto the scene

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Site InSpections

of Event-Ready Destinations and Their Top Venues A Premier Travel Media publication • www.SportsPlanningGuide.com

Cover Photo Doug Wells/Grand View University

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Des Moines, IA Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Burlington, IA Dubuque, IA Iowa City, IA Quad Cities, IA

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Iowans embrace wrestling with an unmatched passion

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o state in the country can match Iowa’s enthusiasm for the sport of wrestling. Just as Texas adores football and Indiana is devoted to basketball, Iowa residents embrace wrestling with the fervor of a well-executed arm bar. And if you aren’t familiar with that term, you’re clearly not from Iowa, a state whose wrestling lineage is akin to royalty.

For starters, the University of Iowa has produced 23 NCAA national championships, second in history behind Oklahoma State’s 34 titles. The Hawkeyes’ rival, Iowa State, has captured eight championships, tied with Penn State for third all time.

While Iowa State may trail their state adversaries in championships, the Cyclones are second-to-none when it comes to producing incredible wrestlers, as two of the greatest wrestlers of all time (Cael Sanderson and Dan Gable) plied their trade at Iowa State, combining to win 276 matches while losing only one, and recording six national titles between them.

Once Gable was through pummeling his opponents for the Cyclones, he moved across the state to the University of Iowa where he became one of the greatest coaches in NCAA history, as his teams won 21 Big Ten Conference championships and 15 NCAA Division I titles, and he coached 152 All-Americans, 45 national champions and 12 Olympians.

Not surprisingly, the success of the state’s two major universities has spawned generations of grappling fans, resulting in wrestling tourna4 146

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ments drawing sizable crowds across the state. In 2015, Iowa beat topranked Oklahoma State 18-16 in the first wrestling meet held in a Division I football stadium, the Hawkeyes’ Kinnick Stadium, a meet that shattered the NCAA wrestling attendance record by drawing 42,287 fans. The previous mark was 15,996 set by Penn State in 2013. The crowd is believed to be the largest to ever witness a wrestling match in the United States.

While that event is an outlier with regards to its mammoth crowd, it isn’t a deviation from the norm in Iowa, which hosts some of the biggest wrestling tournaments in the country. Here are some of those events:

Cedar Falls

USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals The USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals is the first leg of USA Wrestling’s national Triple Crown (which is awarded to any athlete who wins a USA Wrestling national title in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle in the same year). It has become one of the most prestigious honors in youth and high school wrestling. The nationals in Cedar Falls features a number of the top youth wrestlers in the country, annually showcasing top-ranked wrestlers in each weight class. In 2017, the event attracted more than 2,800 competitors from 40 states.

“In the Cedar Valley, wrestling events make up approximately 20 to @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

25 percent of all events on our calendar,” said Ashley Johnson, executive director of the Cedar Valley Sports Commission. “Each brings more than $750 thousand in economic impact.”

Cedar Rapids

NCAA DII National Wrestling Championships The U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, a city in eastern Iowa with a population of 126,326, hosted the 2018 edition of this tournament. The event featured 160 wrestlers representing 52 institutions, a new high for the NCAA Division II Championships. St. Cloud State won the 2018 national championship, edging out 2017 champions Notre Dame College.

Council Bluffs

Heartland USA Elementary & Middle School National Folkstyle Duels This USA Wrestling event draws in the vicinity of 40 elementary teams and 40 middle school teams annually to Council Bluffs, a city in southwestern Iowa. Council Bluffs is a part of eight counties in the OmahaCouncil Bluffs metropolitan area, which features a population of 865,350.

The Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic Thirty-nine teams competed in the 2017 edition of this high school tournament, with five states represented. The event took place at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, a 30,000-square-foot pillar-free, multi-use arena.

Des Moines

IHSAA State Championships Held annually in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena, the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s wrestling finals has sold out for 30 straight years with more than 17,000 fans in capacity. More than 74,000 have attended the event during the last 10 years and 672 wrestlers have competed with 230 different schools represented.

Iowa’s enthusiasm for wrestling is unmatched, as the state hosts numerous high-profile state and national events.

NAIA Wrestling National Championships Held in Des Moines in 2012, 13, 18 and 19, the NAIA Wrestling National Championships feature more than 200 athletes competing at the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

College athletes from across the country compete in the competition, filling nearly 2,000 room nights. The event won the 2018 NAIA Best Athlete experience by having athletes check in at the Iowa Hall of Pride, where they were able to meet Gable.

USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals This event, which was held in Cedar Falls in recent years, moved to Des Moines’ Iowa Events Center in 2018. The USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals is one of the sport’s premier preseason wrestling tournaments, as it annually features some of the best youth wrestlers in the country and brings 3,000 athletes to the city. With grade school, middle school and high school wrestlers using the meet as a tuneup for the regular season, the event regularly sells out.

“Wrestling has a big impact on Greater Des Moines,” said Ryan Vogt, national sales manager (sports) for Catch Des Moines, the area’s CVB. “We host annual state wrestling, which is the largest high school championships in the country and we have hosted NCAA Wrestling National Championships and the NAIA Wrestling National Championships. Our wrestling venues at both the Iowa Events Center and the Iowa State Fairgrounds contribute to the continued success of wrestling events in Greater Des Moines.” SPG SportsPlanningGuide.com

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BREWING in Iowa

Hawkeye State’s

craft brewery scene continues to grow Since the early 2000s, Iowa’s craft beer industry has seen substantial growth.

Justin Zerfas/Catch Des Moines

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Singlespeed Brewing Co.

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Des Moines offers a mobile application that rewards craft beer enthusiasts.

Justin Zerfas/Catch Des Moines

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owa may be best known as a state that produces quality agricultural products, but with each passing year, it is also earning a standout reputation in another category: craft brewing.

Since the early 2000s, Iowa’s craft beer industry has seen substantial expansion on a commercial and private level. In 2011, the state was home to 27 craft breweries, but by 2016, that number had grown to 70. Travel Iowa, the state’s Destination Marketing Organization, notes that nearly 40 new breweries have opened in the state in the last three years alone.

An economic impact report regarding Iowa’s craft beer industry was prepared and funded by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. The report stated the economic impact of the Iowa craft brewing industry in 2014 resulted in an increase in the industrial production of Iowa by more than $100 million, which generated more than 1,500 jobs and increased personal income by nearly $42 million for Iowans. The report projected beer production by the state’s craft breweries and brewpubs would increase from the 2014 level of 40,786 barrels to more than 146,000 barrels by 2019, a more than 500 percent increase. Also, the in-state consumption of craft beer was expected to increase over the same period from 33,446 barrels to more than 120,000 barrels.

According to the most recent data collected by the national Brewers Association, those initial reports are spot on as Iowa produced approximately 61,200 barrels of craft beer in 2016, or 0.9 gallons of beer per adult aged 21 years and older annually. That was a 20 percent increase in the number of brewing establishments from 2015.

The Brewers Association also noted craft brewing in Iowa made a total economic impact of $861 million that year. That impressive number is no surprise given the Brewers Association compared Iowa to similarly sized states (based on electoral vote numbers) and determined the Hawkeye State ranked second in that group in the number of breweries residing in state lines (behind only Oregon) and fifth in the group in beer production.

One locale that is reaping the benefits of the craft beer boom is Iowa City, which is home to six breweries and one cidery.

“The Iowa City area is in a Renaissance in the craft brewing industry,” said Nick Pfeiffer, director of marketing and communications for the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “With the beer comes great dining and entertainment options that serve a multitude of visitors seeking a unique experience. The collaboration our breweries have with local farmers, restaurants, and entertainers creates a synergy that everyone benefits from.”

Like Iowa City, Des Moines, the state capital and most populous city in the state, has embraced the recent swell of breweries.

One such way Des Moines is capitalizing on the brewery influx is by creating Brew Moines, a mobile application curated by Catch Des Moines,

the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, which rewards craft beer enthusiasts for visiting breweries and beer bars in the metro.

Brew Moines lists 15 local breweries and taprooms, and those who have downloaded the app can check in at these establishments. Some of the perks that accompany checking in include getting a buy-one-getone-free beer at certain establishments, discounts from participating breweries, free T-shirts and more.

Brew Moines promotes local beer events and sends push notifications for brewery specials. The app also provides descriptions and directions to each brewery and keeps a list of which establishments a person has visited.

“Since 2010, the number of breweries in the state has tripled and the craft brewing industry has a $100 million impact on the economy in Iowa alone, supporting 1,500 jobs,” said Greg Edwards, president and CEO of Catch Des Moines. “Our job at Catch Des Moines is to bring more visitors to the area, which is why the Brew Moines beer passport app made perfect sense.”

While the Brewers Association report shows there is a higher concentration of breweries in larger cities and metropolitan areas such as Des Moines and Iowa City, the distribution of breweries ranges widely throughout the state. Smaller cities and rural areas are also home to some of Iowa’s finest breweries. Evidence of this can be found in a list released by the Brewers Association, showcasing America’s 50 fastest growing craft breweries of 2017. One brewery from a small city on the list, Keg Creek Brewing Co. (ranked 18th), is based in Glenwood, a city with a population of 5,269.

Another example of this is Clive, a city sporting 15,447 residents, which is home to 515 Brewing Company, the winner of the 2016 Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the Fruit Wheat Beer category. Another top-notch brewery, Toppling Goliath Brewery, which placed five beers on the Top Beers of the Year list by RateBeer – a connoisseur-focused beer review site – in 2016, is located in Decorah, a city with a population of 8,127.

Because the state has so many quality breweries, the Iowa Brewers Guild, a nonprofit organization working to showcase and improve the quality of beer brewed in Iowa, created six Iowa Beer Trails (the maps are updated annually in May) featuring more than 70 participating Iowa Brewers Guild member breweries from across the state. The six trails cover Western Iowa (six trails), Des Moines Metro (15 trails), Central Iowa (11 trails), Northeast Iowa (16 trails), the Corridor (15 trails) and Southeast Iowa (nine trails).

Regardless of where one’s travels transpire, visitors to the Hawkeye State will find an assortment of Iowa-brewed beers and award-winning favorites that will assuage anyone’s palate. SPG Sports Planning Guide

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Des Moines, IA

Host your sports event in Des Moines, and you’ll find elite sports facilities, affordable accommodations, a team of helpful experts and authentic experiences.

In between playing in games and cheering on the teams, visitors to Greater Des Moines have plenty of attractions to keep them entertained. Children of all ages will love Adventureland Amusement Park and Adventure Bay Waterpark. They contain more than 100 rides, shows and attractions to suit everyone’s fun level. Thrill seekers can scream their lungs out on The Dragon, Iowa’s only upside down-double looping roller coaster; or Sidewinder, a ride that combines spinning and swinging. Less adventurous souls can test their driving skills on the Frantic Freeway bumper cars, take a spin on the carousel or float down the Caribbean Cruise lazy river.

Located in downtown Des Moines, the Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires guests through hands-on exhibits and special programs. Visitors can experience live science demonstrations and a 50-foot planetarium. Animal lovers can head over to Blank Park Zoo to see creatures from the tropical rainforests to the plains of Africa to the Australian Outback.

Make a stop at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and get in on the action with more than 2,000 slot machines, table games and live horse racing from April to October.

Or give yourself retail therapy at the Outlets of Des Moines, featuring over 40 stores, including some of the most well-known names in fashion and retail.

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How to get to Des Moines Located at the intersections of I-80 and I-35, Des Moines is a one day drive for one quarter of the U.S. population.

These major metropolitan areas are less than five hours away: Minneapolis, Chicago, Omaha and Kansas City. For those teams located a little further away, there’s the Des Moines International Airport, with direct flight from 22 cities.

Planner Perspective “Catch Des Moines helped to provide a first-class event for all of the tournament participants. From pre-planning through the end of our event, Catch Des Moines helped us facilitate two very successful tournaments for our friends at the NCCAA. We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the Sports Commission on this event and look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with them in the future!”

– Brian Fincham, Athletic Director at Faith Baptist Bible College 2016 & 2017 NCCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball DII National Championships.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT 1. Drake Stadium

Sports: Football, soccer, track & field

Ryan Vogt, CSEE

National Sales Manager Phone: 515-699-3434 Email: ryan@catchdesmoines.com Website: www.catchdesmoines.com

Located on the Drake University campus, Drake Stadium is home to the school’s football and track teams. It also hosts the annual Drake Relays. The stadium underwent a renovation a few years ago, changing the track surface to Mondo and widening the lanes from 42 inches to 48 inches. Many major events have been held here, including the USA Track & Field Championships. The stadium has a capacity of 14,557, permanent lights, a digital scoreboard and state of the art artificial turf for soccer and football.

2. Iowa Events Center

Sports: Multi-sport, basketball, volleyball, wrestling This state-of-the-art multi-purpose complex is located in downtown Des Moines and has hosted events of all kinds. The Iowa Events Center features the Wells Fargo Arena, boasting seating for 17,000 people. It is home to the NBA G-League Iowa Wolves, the AHL’s Iowa Wild and the IFL’s Iowa Barnstormers.

It is also where the Iowa High School State Wrestling and Girls and Boys Basketball Tournaments are held annually.

3. Cownie Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer

The Cownie Soccer Complex opened back in 1998 and has been a popular venue for soccer events of all sizes. It features 12 professionally maintained full-size soccer fields and a 1,500 square foot concession stand with indoor bathroom facilities. The facility has seating for 2,000 spectators, a paved parking lot and a playground area.

4. MidAmerican Energy Company Aquatic Center & Prairie Meadows Pool Sports: Swimming, water polo

The latest addition to the Des Moines sports scene, the MidAmerica Energy Company Aquatic Center and Prairie Meadows Pool is the premier place in Iowa to host a swimming competition. The new facility opened at the Wellmark YMCA Downtown. The 50-meter pool is the centerpiece of the venue, as it’s the only indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool in Des Moines. It can accommodate eight long course lanes or 19 short course lanes and also includes a 4-lane warmup pool.

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Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA The Cedar Valley brings the power of two cities together, giving tournament organizers even more resources for a winning sports event.

Made up of Cedar Falls and Waterloo, the Cedar Valley has been recognized as a top place to visit in Iowa. It’s won several awards for its attractions, lodging properties and welcoming community. On top of all that, it boasts a stellar collection of sports venues that can accommodate a range of different athletic events.

How to Get to the Cedar Valley

Things to do in the Cedar Valley

Planner Perspective

The Cedar Valley has some of the top attractions in the Midwest. Teams and their families will have a fun-filled day at Lost Island Waterpark, Iowa’s largest waterpark.

The park has 14 slides, a lazy river, wave pool, and three children’s play areas. Also located at the waterpark is Manaleo’s Speedway, one of the longest go-kart tracks in the Midwest, and two 18-hole miniature golf courses.

Spend the day bouncing around at the Get Air Trampoline Park in Waterloo. The venue features thousands of square feet of trampolines, ropes courses, foam pits and more.

For those who want to spend free time experiencing more sports, they can catch a UNI Panthers Sporting Event. The student-athletes shine throughout the year in sports like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, track & field and more.

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The Cedar Valley is within a day’s drive of most major Midwest cities, including Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Direct flights are available to and from Chicago, and private charter air service is also an option.

“The Cedar Valley is a great soccer community! Iowa Soccer hosts a number of events in the Cedar Valley area every year. We host both indoor and outdoor events, ranging from smaller regionalized festivals to State Championship events tied into US Youth Soccer’s National Championships Series. The Cedar Valley is home to some of the best maintained soccer facilities in the state including the 12+ field Cedar Valley Soccer Complex, 9 field WSRSA Soccer Complex, Cedar Valley Sportsplex Indoor Fieldhouse, and of course the UNI-Dome. Huge thanks to the Cedar Valley Sports Commission for their involvement and support in making these events possible and a great experience for our members!”

– Craig Winger, Director of Competitions, Iowa Soccer Association

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT 1. UNI-Dome/McLeod Center

Sports: Football, track & field, indoor soccer, wrestling The University of Northern Iowa has several elite sports facilities on campus. The multi-purpose UNI-Dome has 80,000 square feet of floor space. The Mondo-Turf football surface can be rolled up when not in use, and the floor is marked as an eight-lane running track. The domed colosseum has seating for over 16,000 spectators. The south end of the dome connects to the McLeod Center, home of the university’s volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball teams. The 12,500-square-foot arena offers seating for 6,650 spectators.

2. UNI Wellness and Recreation Center Sports: Volleyball, basketball, swimming

Another University of Northern Iowa sports facility, the Wellness and Recreation Center is an ideal venue for large sports events. It features 10 full-size basketball and volleyball courts that can host a range of tournaments. There is also an eight-lane 25-meter competition pool with one-meter and three-meter diving boards.

3. Cedar Valley Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer, flag football, rugby

Located in Cedar Falls, this sports complex features 11 fields, including four practice fields. The Premiere Field, which

features lights and a scoreboard, is where the UNI soccer team plays all its games. The venue hosts numerous youth tournaments and recreation leagues. There are permanent restrooms, concessions and ample parking.

4. Cedar Valley Sportsplex

Sports: Basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, wrestling Located in downtown Waterloo, the Cedar Valley Sportsplex consists of two full-size basketball/volleyball courts and a 30,000-square-foot fieldhouse with artificial turf. This facility can accommodate a range of events, from indoor soccer and flag football to basketball and volleyball.

5. Young Arena

Sports: Hockey, figure skating, wrestling The Young Arena has one Olympic-sized ice rink and seating for 3,500 people. It is home to the Waterloo Blackhawks of the U.S. Hockey League. It has hosted several hockey games, ice skating events and even wrestling. The arena uses an insulated icecover and has floor space to accommodate eight 42’ x 42’ mats.

Cedar Valley Sports Commission Ashley Johnson

Executive Director Phone: 319-493-5371 Email: ashley@cedarvalleysports.org Website: www.cedarvalleysports.org

We Know Sports! www.cedarvalleysports.org

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CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

CEDAR RAPIDS IS AN UP-AND-COMING, GO-TO CITY FOR SPORTS PLANNERS, WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES HOME TO ENDLESS WORLD-CLASS COMPETITIONS AND SPORTS EVENTS

A city historically known for its bustling art scene, Cedar Rapids is home to famous native Iowan painter Grant Wood’s idiosyncratic art studio and the largest collection of Wood’s work at Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Beyond its local attractions and vivacious art scene, Cedar Rapids is home to several affordable, world-class sports facilities, inviting planners and teams to come and host their upcoming sports event. From top-notch baseball venues to multi-use arenas, Cedar Rapids has what your team is looking for in world-class competitions, tournaments and championships.

Things to do in Cedar Rapids Sporting events are about more than just taking home the gold, they are also about making memories and hosting events in cities with plenty of activities to enjoy when off the fields and courts. NewBo City Market is one of Cedar Rapids' cherished pastimes and was even once graced by the presence of former President Bill Clinton. With 28 different food and drink stands, the market serves everything from homemade Korean dumplings to Iowa-grown popcorn.

For adrenaline junkies, both Speedeez Indoor Karting and Air FX Trampoline Park offer thrilling adventures for teams and families. At Speedeez Indoor Karting, teams and families can race each other at Cedar Rapids' only and fastest indoor 12 154

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Go-kart track. Air FX Trampoline Park features a 40,000-square-foot entertainment center with wall-to-wall trampolines, a Kid’s Zone, dodgeball court, trampoline basketball, jumping pits and miniature golf.

Planner Perspective Our 2017 festival — our 70th annual! — was held in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids was a combination of Midwestern hospitality, affordability, truly spectacular venues, and a friendly, fun city for our jugglers to spend their week in making for an amazing week of fun, world-class competitions and excitement for all involved.”

—Mike Sullivan, Future Festival Site Coordinator 2011-2018 International Jugglers’ Association

How to Get to Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids can be reached by Interstate Highway 380 via I-80. Major cities located within a five-hour drive from Cedar Rapids are Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Cedar Rapids is primarily served by Eastern Iowa Airport, a regional airport connected with several other regional and international airports.

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1. U.S. Cellular Center Sports: Wrestling, volleyball, basketball, juggling A new convention complex established in 2013, U.S Cellular Center has been home to several world-class competitions, including NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships, NCAA National Wrestling Championships and the Iowa High School Girls State Volleyball Tournaments. This renovated arena features a 37,550-square-foot arena floor with a capacity for 6,800 guests, four team and two officials locker rooms, a renovated and attached 267-room Double Tree by Hilton hotel and two parking structures with 1,300 spaces in total.

The facility is home to Indoor Football League’s Cedar Rapids Titans and was where the International Jugglers Association Annual Festival took place in 2017.

2. Cedar Rapids Ice Arena Sports: Hockey, figure skating, curling, horseshoe pitching, wrestling

U.S. Figure Skating Midwestern-Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, the USA Curling Arena National Championships, National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament and the NCAA DIII National Wrestling Championship in 2013.

3. Veterans Memorial Stadium Sports: Baseball Opened in 2002, Veterans Memorial Stadium is home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Class-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The 5,300-seat stadium has facility parking with a capacity for 1,200 cars and has hosted various competitions and events, including NCAA Baseball Championships, the American Legion World Series and Perfect Game USA, the Kernels Foundation World Wood Bat Tournament.

The Kernels Foundation is a proud charity arm of the Cedar Rapids Kernels, providing the underprivileged youth of the community the dream to play baseball free of charge and offering a memorial scholarship to first year college students.

Home to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL Junior Hockey franchise, Cedar Rapids Ice Arena is a facility with two sheets of ice, including a 3,850-seat NHL arena and a 200 seat Olympic rink. With a 200-space parking area at the facility and an adjacent 1,200-space parking area, the arena has an impressive résumé hosting several world-class competitions, such as the U.S. Figure Skating Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships for three years, the

Cedar Rapids Tourism Office Mary Lee Malmberg, CSEE Director of Sports Tourism Phone: 319-731-4556 Email: m.malmberg@tourismcedarrapids.com

The Cedar Rapids Tourism Office’s creative & professional staff can help: • identify tournament venues • assist in forming an LOC • secure hotel quotes • share restaurants/attractions • and more!

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Burlington, IA

Greater Burlington, sitting on the EASTERN edge of Iowa, is already one of the Midwest’s finest sports hubs.

Soon, two new facilities will open — and this area’s meteoric rise will continue.

Greater Burlington is one the Midwest’s finest — and fastest-rising — sports towns. The Burlington Regional RecPlex is perfect for soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball. It has been a popular spot for event planners since 1999. Meanwhile, the Greater Burlington Area Indoor Sports Project has been working hard on plans for two facilities — The Turf and The Courts — that will make this area even more enticing. Those will be detailed later, along with fun things to do in Greater Burlington. As a little preview, there are many fun activities that will keep players, coaches, and their families busy summer, winter, spring, and fall. From PZAZZ! Entertainment Complex to Big Hollow Recreation Area, Greater Burlington is the place to be.

Greater Burlington boasts numerous fun activities that make the tournament life all the more enjoyable. First, visitors should visit the PZAZZ! Entertainment Complex, which includes Huck’s Harbor Water Park, 3 hotels, and a casino. In addition, FunCity is another PZAZZ! feature that offers over 100 interactive arcade games, go-carts, and laser tag. After some PZAZZ! enjoyment, visitors won’t want to miss Snake Alley, recognized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! as “Unbelievably Crooked” and the #1 Odd Spot Across America.

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How to get to Greater Burlington

U.S. Route 34 runs from Colorado through the heart of Greater Burlington, then on to Chicago. U.S. Route 61 runs north-south through the Burlington area, stretching northward to the Quad Cities. Nearby interstates include I-80 and I-74. The Quad Cities Airport in Moline, 1.5 hours from Burlington, is served by Allegiant, United, American, Airtran, and Delta.

Planner Perspective “I have been coming to Burlington for 12 years to run 4 different soccer events. The community of Burlington and the people at the RecPlex are second to none. The fields we use and the facility are first class and always ready for us. Staff at the RecPlex are dedicated to providing the best and they leave no doubt. I am excited to see what the new indoor facility can bring and what opportunities may exist to host a future event there. My past experiences tell me that it will be first class and well run and supported by the community.”

– Eric Stratman, Adidas Tournament of Champions

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

soccer; two youth softball fields; easy field conversion to other sports; batting and pitching cages; high-quality turf for longterm use.

1. Burlington Regional RecPlex

Sports: Soccer, softball, baseball, volleyball The Burlington RecPlex features tournament-class facilities for soccer, softball, baseball, and sand volleyball, in addition to concessions and spectator plazas in the guest services building. Top amenities include five softball/baseball diamonds, eight regulation-sized soccer fields, four lighted sand volleyball courts, an all-purpose field, six automatic batting cages, a 1.2-mile paved trail, and shaded outdoor pavilion seating. Since its opening in 1999, this versatile complex has served as one of the Midwest’s top facilities for hosting tournaments.

2. The Turf

3. The Courts

Sports: Basketball, volleyball The Turf is just the first part of the Greater Burlington Area Indoor Sports Project. The Courts, breaking ground in late 2019, will feature two full-sized collegiate basketball courts, four youth courts, and an elevated viewing area. All courts will boast easy conversion to volleyball accommodations. The facility will span 45,000 square feet and will be located on the campus of Southeastern Community College. It is expected that The Courts will be utilized by local athletes, SCC students, and out-of-town teams looking for top-notch tourney competition.

Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer Go east of the RecPlex and you will find the site of a soon-tobe-built (and highly anticipated) complex that is expected to revolutionize tournament play in Greater Burlington. The Turf, opening in January 2019, will provide almost 80,000 square feet of playing surface; with all this space, it will play host to a variety of sports. Turf will stand 79 feet high and will be surfaced wall-to-wall, enabling everything from a full-sized regulation high school soccer field to two 185-foot youth softball fields. Here are some of the main features, which will be available year-round: up to eight playing surfaces for

Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau Chelsea Lerud

Executive Director, CVB Phone: 319-208-0045 Email: clerud@greaterburlington.com Website: VisitBurlingtonIowa.com

Greater Burlington Area Sports Facilities

Burlington, Iowa

Features include: BURLINGTON REGIONAL RECPLEX

• • • • • •

YEAR ROUND SPORTS BASEBALL . FOOTBALL SOFTBALL . SOCCER BASKETBALL . VOLLEYBALL

5 Softball/Baseball Diamonds 8 Regulation-Sized Soccer Fields 4 Lighted Sand Volleyball Courts 1 All-Purpose Field 6 Station Automatic Batting Cages Guest Services/Concession Building

THE TURF

• • • •

78,500 SF Playing Surface 8 Playing Surfaces for Soccer 2 Youth Softball Fields Easy Field Conversion to Other Sports

THE COURTS

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N REGIONAL O T G IN L R U B RECPLEX

F THE TUR 2019 rly Coming Ea

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45,000 SF State-Of-The-Art Facility 2 Collegiate Sized Basketball Courts Easy Conversion to Volleyball Elevated Viewing Area

S OURT THE C g Soon omin C

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Dubuque, IA

Find top-tier choices for sports venues in Dubuque, Iowa, a city that offers plenty of fun things to do and an inside look at its rich cultural history.

Things to do in Dubuque

Off the field, teams will have the opportunity to revel in the gorgeous nature, scenic attractions and plentiful restaurant and retail options in their downtime.

With Dubuque’s array of nature parks, shopping and accommodations, visitors will never become bored of the multitude of things to do.

When athletes, coaches and parents have finished their busy days of sports and games, they’ll have the chance to explore the plethora of activities that Dubuque has to offer. If you’re interested in learning more about the animals, culture and history of the city, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium sheds light on these topics through interactive exhibits, aquariums and animal encounters. Continue your nature excursions at the Julien Dubuque Monument at Mines of Spain, a nature center and state park that serves as the burial site of the city’s founder.

How to Get to Dubuque

Four U.S. Highways - 20,151, 61 and 52 - and two state highways - 3 and 32 - service Dubuque. Highway 20, the city’s busiest east-west highway, connects to Rockford and Chicago to the east and to Waterloo, Iowa in the west. The Eastern Iowa Airport is approximately one hour and 20 minutes from Dubuque.

Planner Perspective

“Way back when we were ready to contract with a timing system, the Sports Commission was right there to award RUN4TROOPS a much-needed grant to cover that cost and they have been there for us and with us ever since.

Now we are approaching double digit years and are consistently bringing in participants from 25 plus states and 5 countries. It definitely takes a village to coordinate and implement such a quality event and we have a very strong and solid village here in the Dubuque area with many volunteers and sponsors.”

– Connie Hodge, Run4Troops 16 158

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT 1. Five Flags Center

Sports: Wrestling, basketball, volleyball, arena sports Situated in the heart of Dubuque’s historic downtown, Five Flags Center is a multipurpose facility ideal for sporting events, concerts, conventions, theater performances and other large events. Spanning a whole city block of fun and games, Five Flags Center offers four facilities for sports, weddings, family shows, festivals and exhibitions, comedy, musical shows, graduations and other various uses.

2. Grand River Center

Sports: Water sports, swimming, rafting, boys and girls club sports Located along the beautiful Mississippi River, the Grand River Center’s diverse, hospitable nature allows visitors to enjoy amenable services. The Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark is connected to the Grand River Center, and spotlights 193 rooms perfect for relaxing conversations at Tony Roma’s Restaurant or fun at the 25,000 square-foot indoor water park, featuring waterslides and activity pools. Take your next wedding, holiday party or other formal event to the Grand Ballroom, which seats 1,000 guests, the all-glass River Room or the mesmerizing Exhibit Hall.

3. Mystique Community Ice Center Sports: Hockey and ice skating

Home to Dubuque Youth Hockey and the USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints, this first-class community ice center built in 2010 services the public with superb facilities for hockey and daily public skating.

Serving as the Tri-State area’s number one destination for all on-ice recreation, this world-class ice rink presents several programs for all skill-level skaters, including public skating, figure skating, hockey, learn-to-skate lessons and clinics, camps and tournaments for more developed skaters.

Travel Dubuque Tyler Daugherty

Director of Sports & Events Phone: 563-845-7698 Email: tdaugherty@traveldubuque.com Website: www.traveldubuque.com @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

1

Iowa City, IA

The Iowa City/Coralville area is more than just a college town, it’s also a top spot to host, watch or play a tournament.

Taking in a Hawkeye sporting event or venturing to Johnson County Fairgrounds never gets old. The energy of game day at Kinnick Stadium, for example, is hard to match — unless the surrounding area boasts fun activities outside of sports as well. Enter Iowa City/Coralville, where historic museums and natural sites make recreation fun and easy. On a tournament off day, players, coaches, and their families can venture to the award-winning Iowa Children’s Museum, where kids are inspired to imagine, create, discover and explore. The museum focuses on helping children learn arts and culture, financial literacy, health, and STEM subjects, with exhibits and programs catered to each subject area. Looking for something to do at night? Check out Hancher Auditorium, the famed University of Iowa performance hall. This venue hosts Broadway musicals, contemporary dance and classical music shows. Hancher and the Children’s Museum will keep guests busy, but there’s more to talk about: Terry Trueblood Recreation Area spans 207 acres of riverfront, lake, prairie, and timber. It’s the perfect stop for outdoor enthusiasts looking to fish, kayak, hike, or bird-watch.

Finally, two more populations are Lake Macbride — a great place to hike and fish — and the Museum of Natural History.

How to get there

Coming from big cities to the east of Iowa City/Coralville, like Chicago, travelers can easily take Interstate-80.

I-80 is the east-west option; the north-south highway is Interstate-380, which runs right by Iowa City. Some local airports include Eastern Iowa Airport, Quad City International Airport, and Des Moines International Airport.

Planner Perspective

“The Iowa City/Coralville CVB set up us for a successful event this year and set us up for growth in future years. The CVB gave us the support that smaller sports like table tennis need to succeed with funding, hotel connections, welcome bags and even volunteers. We will work with them every year we host.”

– Meng-Yu Wang, Director, 2017 Table Tennis Hawkeye Open.

SportsPlanningGuide.com

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT 1. Kinnick Stadium Sports: Football

Opened in 1929, this historic college football stadium comes alive every fall, when it plays home to the University of Iowa football team. The stadium can hold up to 70,585 energetic fans and is the only college football stadium named after a Heisman Trophy winner — legendary Hawkeye running back Nile Kinnick won the sport’s most prestigious award in 1939.

2. Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Sports: Men’s basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball This 15,400-seat multi-purpose arena is located in the heart of Iowa City and plays home to the University of Iowa men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the university’s wrestling, gymnastics, and volleyball teams. Opened in 1983, “Carver” has hosted a number of notable athletic events, including the Big Ten and NCAA wrestling championships, the National Duals, the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials, the UWW World Cup in 2018, and the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Tournament.

3. Johnson County Fairgrounds Sports: Tractor pull

Run by the Johnson County Agricultural Association, the Johnson County Fairgrounds is a large swath of land — and it’s quite popular. The complex is best known for its annual hosting of the Johnson County Fair, which hosts events like the County Fair Queen Contest, the Grandstand Truck/Tractor Pull, the Jones & Company Carnival and the Butterfly House.

Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Lyndsey Kent

Director of Sales Phone: 319-337-6592 Email: Lyndsey@thinkiowacity.com Website: www.thinkiowacity.com Sports Planning Guide

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1

Quad Cities, Ia

WITH ELITE SPORTS VENUES, AFFORDABLE AMENITIES, A CONVENIENT LOCATION AND ALL THE ACTION OF A BIG CITY, THE QUAD CITIES ARE THE IDEAL SPOT FOR SPORTING EVENTS. With a convenient location and a seasoned staff of professionals, Quad Cities sporting events are taken to a whole new level. When you combine the power of five destinations into one, you’re sure to have a very successful—and highly memorable—sporting events.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Things to do in the Quad Cities

The 280,000-square-foot indoor complex and its accompanying outdoor sports venue can accommodate all kinds of tournaments. The indoor facility features a turf soccer/football/lacrosse field, eight regulation basketball and volleyball courts, batting cages, a golf range and food vendors. Outside, athletes will find four lighted soccer fields, six lighted turf baseball/softball fields, and seven sand volleyball courts. The family entertainment center has 32 bowling lanes and a two-story laser tag game.

Over in Iowa, connect with history at the Putnam Museum & Science Center. The 10,000-square-foot science center has more than 45 hands-on stations that offer interactive, fun and educational lessons for visitors. The five exhibit halls feature displays like Black Earth/Big River, showcasing ecosystems of the Mississippi River Valley; and River, Prairie and People explores the history of the Quad Cities area. The other side of the river also provides some great Locations for shopping, including NorthPark Mall. The mall is anchored by five department stores, and a wide range of well-known boutiques, gift shops and restaurants. Or check out Historic LeClaire, located just 30 miles north of the Quad Cities.

How to Get to the Quad Cities

Located along Interstates 74, 80, and 88, the Quad Cities is one of the largest metropolitan areas on the Mississippi River, and is just a short drive from 6 major cities including Chicago. The Quad City International Airport has dozens of daily, nonstop flights to 11 cities, as well as hundreds of connecting flights to major hubs.

Planner Perspective

“The Quad Cities CVB were amazing to work with through the 2017 PDGA Amateur and Junior Disc Golf World Championships. The CVB and their local organizing committee ensured the participants were taken care of during the entire week of competition. Every aspect of the event was handled with careful consideration and professional execution. We look forward to an opportunity to visit the QC again in the future.”

– Mike Downes , Events Coordinator, PDGA

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Sports Planning Guide

1. TBK Bank Sports Complex

Sports: Soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, golf, bowling, baseball, softball

2. Modern Woodmen Park Sports: Baseball, softball

The stadium is home to the River Bandits, a Midwest League Class A farm team of the Houston Astros. It’s also played host to many college level and high school tournaments and matches. The facility features 4,000 permanent seats and 2,000 additional seats on the grass and in the picnic area.

3. RiverCenter

Sports: Boxing, basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, boating A multi-use indoor facility, the RiverCenter offers adaptable space for all kinds of sports events. The 35,000-square-foot great hall, and the 13,500-square-foot Mississippi Hall offer the accessibility to host large-scale events if necessary.

Visit Quad Cities Lynn Hunt

VP Sales Phone: 800-747-7800 ext. 823 Email: lhunt@visitquadcities.com Website: www.visitquadcities.com @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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