2023-24 Iowa Meeting Guide

IOWA GUIDE MEETING

IN DUBUQUE IT’S ABOUT...

more than the meeting

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THIS... State of the art facilities feature 2,000 to 86,000 square feet of space! Our walkable and sustainable community welcomes meetings and conventions of 3 to 3,000 to gather along the Mississippi River any time of the year.

...AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT. Dine alongside stingrays, cruise the Mississippi River, dream at the iconic Field of Dreams Movie Site and more with a multitude of off-site opportunities.

MEET JULIE KRONLAGE

If you need any help finding the fun, the unique and the amazing locations in Dubuque to make your event a success, contact Julie. Call 563.845.7698 or email jkronlage@traveldubuque.com.

Located along the mighty Mississippi river, Dubuque is the ideal setting for your next meeting.

FEATURED VENUES

Best Western Plus

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/BESTWESTERN

- 150 hotel rooms on site

- 8,500 square feet of meeting space

- On site restaurant

- In the heart of Dubuque

- Complimentary parking

Grand River Center

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/GRANDRIVERCENTER

- 86,000 square feet of meeting space

- Property attached to Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark via climate controlled skywalk

- Complimentary parking via large parking lots and in covered ramp

- 13 total meeting room spaces available

Hilton Garden Inn

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/HILTONGARDEN

- Property attached to the Q Casino

- 116 hotel rooms, complimentary parking

- Private meeting spaces with onsite catering

- Houlihan’s restaurant attached

- Live entertainment venue

Hotel Julien Dubuque

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/HOTELJULIEN

- 16,384 total square feet of meeting space

- 133 hotel rooms on site

- Caroline’s Restaurant, Riverboat Lounge, Potosa Spa on site

- Complimentary parking on site

- All catering available on site

Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/GRANDHARBOR

- Attached to the Grand River Center

- 193 hotel rooms

- Small meeting room space for up to 100 people

- Complimentary parking

- Hotel rooms overlook the Mississippi River or historic downtown Dubuque

- Tony Roma’s Restaurant on site

Hampton Inn

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/HAMPTON

- 97 hotel rooms

- Close to many restaurant and evening off site event opportunities

- Meeting space for up to 12 people

- Complimentary parking

Holiday Inn

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/HOLIDAYINN

- Located in historic downtown Dubuque

- 193 hotel rooms

- Attached tri-level parking garage offers complimentary parking

- 10,000 square feet of meeting space

- River Rock Kitchen + Tap located on site

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Dubuque

MEETDUBUQUE.COM/TOWNEPLACE

- Studio & suite style hotel rooms

- 84 hotel rooms

- Located in Dubuque’s historic Millwork District

- Meeting space for up to 12 people

- Complimentary on site parking

EXPLORE THE BEST OF MIDWESTERN HOSPITALITY

A classically warm Midwestern welcome awaits you and your guests in Sioux City, Iowa. Centrally located, Siouxland makes the perfect meeting place for attendees nationwide. Alive with incredible artistic and cultural scenes, there is always something exciting to do. From ultra-modern locations to aesthetic venues, there is a space for every event, each rich in a tradition of hospitality that sets us apart. Contact Explore Sioux City to find out more. ExploreSiouxCity.org

TO IOWA

Chelsea Lerud Executive Director Iowa Travel Industry Partners

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 off-site 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.

OFFICE: 515-207-0009

IowaTravelIndustry.org

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.

A restaurant in downtown Cedar Rapids

CourtesyITIP

The campanile at the University of Northern Iowa

IOWA MAP MEETING

MAP KEY

Southwest Central Northeast Southeast

City

International Airport Regional Airport

Council

SIOUX GATEWAY AIRPORT

THE MARVELOUS MIDDLE

BY RACHEL CRICK

FROM COLLEGE TOWNS TO THE CAPITAL, cities in Iowa’s middle teem with culture and distinct personalities. From smaller cities with lively downtowns and capable meeting venues to larger cities with some of the state’s largest venues, meetings in the heart of the state capitalize on Iowa’s diversity. The range of conference hotels is wide, from historic to brand new, and many local attractions double as meeting and event venues.

Des Moines

At the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, Iowa’s capital is its largest city (pop. 210,000) and the epicenter for business and manufacturing in the state.

“We have over 80 insurance and financial companies that are headquartered here in Des Moines,” said Trina Flack, vice president of sales at Catch Des Moines. “We have the infrastructure in place to make it a vibrant, fun city.”

The Iowa Events Center, the city’s main convention center, is the largest meeting venue in Iowa. The three-building complex has a 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 28,000 square feet of ballroom space

The Iowa Events Center is the largest meeting venue in Iowa.

Above: Hilton Downtown Des Moines

Far Right: The ballroom at Hotel Fort Des Moines

Right: The Iowa Events Center in Des Moines

CourtesyiTIP

HAVE A (GOLF) BALL

Golf outings are easy to add to a meeting itinerary in Iowa, thanks to an abundance of golf courses. Many are top ranked and have inviting clubhouses offering hearty food, ample meeting spaces and views of the golf courses that they anchor.

In Iowa’s middle, just north of Des Moines, the Tournament Club of Iowa is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in the state and one of its best-known courses. The challenging 18-hole course uses the region’s bluffs and rolling hills to good advantage, and an elegant clubhouse looks out over the course. To the east, the 18-hole course at Amana Colonies Golf Club winds through the forests of eastern Iowa and is convenient to the new Hotel Millwright in Amana. South of Iowa City, the Blue Top Ridge Golf Course is part of the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, so it comes with a luxurious hotel, gaming, four restaurants, a 12,000-square-foot event center and other amenities.

Golf isn’t absent in Iowa’s far corners either. Spirit Hollow Golf Course, in the southeast near Burlington, was ranked the No. 1 course in Iowa by Golfweek magazine. After playing the tough 18hole course that meanders through the Mississippi River Valley, hungry golfers can converge at the course restaurant, Lambo’s, for pub food and pizzas. North of Sioux City in Sioux Center, the Ridge Golf Club stretches across serene plains interrupted by four lakes. An event hall at its clubhouse is adjoined by a roomy, covered patio, a pleasant place to watch golfers in action.

Hotel Fort Des Moines has 290 rooms and 13,000 square feet of meeting space.

and 37 meeting rooms, and is attached to the 330room Hilton Des Moines Downtown Hotel with its own 14,000 square feet of meeting space. Just a few blocks away, the city’s largest hotel is the Des Moines Marriott, with 413 rooms and 28,000 square feet of meeting space. Also downtown, Hotel Fort Des Moines is a historic hotel restored as part of the Hilton Curio Collection. It seamlessly blends opulent touches like ornate chandeliers and rich wood paneling with modern amenities like 55-inch smart TVs in its 290 rooms and 13,000 square feet of meeting space.

Des Moines is home to the Iowa State Fair Grounds, which hosts expos and other large-scale events when it’s not hosting the renowned state fair each August. At West End Architectural Salvage, guests can peruse four floors of antiques and refurbished furniture while enjoying cocktails and coffee.

catchdesmoines.com

Left: The Walnut Boardroom at Hotel Fort Des Moines

Right: Rooftop restaurant at the Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City

Courtesy Catch Des Moines

Cedar Falls and Waterloo

Cedar Falls and Waterloo, two towns six miles apart on the Cedar River, pack a big punch.

Cedar Falls revolves around the University of Northern Iowa toric downtown district with locally owned breweries, bars and boutiques. The UNI-Dome, UNI’s campus stadium, has over 16,000 seats and suits large events like trade shows. Several of Cedar Falls’ 11 hotels have conference facilities: the 126-room Holiday Inn and Suites Hotel and attached VenU Event Center, with 37,000 square feet of event space; the 113-room Hilton Garden Inn and Cedar Falls Convention and Event Center 14,000 square feet of event space; and the 130-room Hampton Inn Cedar Falls Downtown, with views of the Cedar River and downtown.

“To have these event spaces to accommodate hundreds, if not thousands, of people and still be able to give them the small-town feel of being in a Mid west community helps us stand out,” said Adam Bolander, sales and market ing coordinator at the Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau.

In Waterloo, the Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza recently underwent a $10 million dollar renovation and expansion. The center has more than 19,000 square feet of exhibit space, four meeting rooms, a conference room and a divisible 12,000-square-foot ballroom. It is connected by skywalk to the 168-room Best Western Plus Hotel. Also downtown, the 166Courtyard by Marriott Waterloo-Cedar Falls is built in the historic John Deere Factory, near the Young Arena and its hockey games, the John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum and Waterloo Center for the Arts. The arts center, with event spaces indoors and out, overlooks the Cedar River.

cedarfallstourism.org | experiencewaterloo.com

Ames

Ames is known for Iowa State University, which gives the city varied large and small meeting spaces, particularly during the summer months. Iowa State Center consists of a cluster of campus venues right next to each other, including the Scheman Building, a three-floor, 38,000-square-foot venue with a wide selection of breakout rooms and exhibit spaces. Stephens Auditorium is the center’s largest auditorium and hosts Broadway musicals. The Hilton Coliseum, home of the Iowa State Cyclones, has seating for over 14,000 and is used for sporting events and trade shows. At Reiman Gardens, another campus venue, 17 acres of gardens, a conservatory and event spaces, can be a lush event setting.

The CPMI Event Center in the Iowa State University Research Park is a flexible space, off campus, that accommodates banquets of up to 350. The 180-room Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, an easy walk from campus, has over 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

“Our meeting venues are all within the university setting, so it’s young and vibrant,” said Kevin Bourke, president and CEO at Discover Ames. “We have a phenomenal downtown with a lot of nightlife, a lot of restaurants and great retail shopping.”

discoverames.com

Left: University of Northern Iowa campus

CourtesyIowa

CourtesyiTIP

CourtesyiTIP

Left: Stephens Auditorium

CourtesyCedarFallsTourismandVisitorsBureau

Iowa City

Long ago, Iowa City was the capital of Iowa. Now the city of 75,000 is best known for the University of Iowa and its renowned graduate programs — the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and the Nonfiction Writing Program. Those programs have also solidified the city’s reputation for creativity and the arts, which is apparent in a downtown vibrant with public art, literary-themed walking tours and performance venues.

Stacey Houseman, vice president of sales and event experience at the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said its arts connection is what earned Iowa City its designation as a UNESCO City of . “It was the first city in the U.S. to be given that designation,” said Houseman.

Graduate Iowa City, the lobby mimics a library in honor of the city’s literary heritage. The 231-room downtown hotel has some 9,000 square feet of event space. The Courtyard by Marriott University , with 140 guest rooms, 11,000 square feet of event space and a rooftop terrace, is west of downtown, next to campus. Artsy venues like

Iowa City has been designated a UNESCO City of Literature.

CourtesyIowa City/CoralvilleAreaCVB

A brewery in Iowa City

CourtesyCedarRapidsTourismOffice CourtesyIowa City/CoralvilleAreaCVB

Paramount Theatre is a 1920s theater with 1,700 seats.

the early 1900s, and the Stanley Museum of Art, on the University of Iowa’s campus, express the city’s personality.

Iowa City also benefits from nearCoralville and its entertainment district, Iowa River Landing, and meeting hotels that include the 288-room Coralville Hyatt Regency Convention Center, with 60,000 square feet of meeting space and 15,000 square feet of outdoor space. The 2020 opening of the Xtream Arena, home to pro hockey and other sports, brings more options, from receptions on its green roof and trade shows on the arena floor to casual gatherings in a 4,000-square-foot team hangout space outfitted with TVs

thinkiowacity.com

What makes Cedar Rapids special? “It’s that Midwest hospitality, along with the diversity of venues,” said Julie Stow, associate executive director/ director of meetings and conventions at Cedar Rapids Tourism.

There are plenty of traditional spaces, including the Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, Iowa’s newest convention center. The complex has 80,000 square feet of meeting space and is attached to the 267-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. For an upscale meeting, banquet or board meeting, planners can look south of downtown to the Hotel at Kirkwood, a swanky, AAA Four-Diamond boutique hotel with 71 rooms and a renowned restaurant, The Class Act.

A favorite venue, the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, explores the city’s Czech and Slovak heritage. It’s located in Czech Village, a popular attraction that’s also a popular event venue. The elegant Rozek Grand Hall there features high, arched ceilings with a sparkling chandelier and can seat 100 at a banquet. For green meetings, the Indian Creek Nature Center is one of only 31 buildings in the world designated as “living buildings,” the highest level of sustainability. Another signature Cedar Rapids venue, the Paramount Theatre, is an opulently restored 1920s theater with 1,700 seats two blocks from the convention center.

tourismcedarrapids.com

Coralville’s Xtream Arena

The Hotel at Kirkwood’s bar

The Hall of Mirrors at the historic Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids Indian Creek Nature Center near Cedar Rapids

Courtesy Cedar Rapids Tourism Office

Courtesy Cedar Rapids Tourism Office

CUSTOM CONTENT

Waterloo’s Grout Museum District gets bigger, better meeting spaces

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

One of Waterloo, Iowa’s favorite meeting and event spaces just got bigger and better.

THE GROUT MUSEUM DISTRICT

In March, the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum and the Grout Museum of History and Science finished the expansion and technology upgrades of their largest space, which combines the veterans museum lobby and a large event and meeting space called the Mess Hall.

The expansion was possible by moving a gift shop, which allowed the museums to increase capacity from 175 to 250. A new stateof-the-art audiovisual system was added, with multiple flat-screens, projector and streaming capabilities, which allow guests in the lobby to watch speakers and presentations in the adjacent Mess Hall on a screen. In the Mess Hall, a large built-in bar that also serves as a buffet was added.

The museums are part of the Grout Museum District, which also includes the Carl A. and Peggy J. Bluedorn Science

Imaginarium and two historic homes, including the Snowden House, which can be booked for private events. Those three properties are separated by a one block city park.

The museums are three blocks from the recently renovated Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza downtown and the renovated 171-guest room Best Western Plus Executive Residency

Waterloo and Cedar Falls, which is attached to the center. Because they are so close, groups meeting at the convention center often use the museums for events.

GROUT MUSEUM DISTRICT

Teresa Bryant

319-234-6357

teresa.bryant@gmdistrict.org

groutmuseumdistrict.org

In fact, a state association meeting at the convention center recently used the expanded space at the Grout and veterans museums for its welcome reception. It had a band in the lobby, a bar and offered tours of the veterans museum, an option for any group that meets there.

OTHER SPACES

Other meeting spaces at the museums include classrooms, a conference room, a theater and one of only three public planetariums in the state of Iowa with public programming. A sleek second-floor boardroom for up to 25 people has a large window that looks out on the P51 Mustang fighter plane that hangs high in the two-story lobby.

When they meet at the museums, groups can absorb Waterloo’s history, which the town proudly shares and has worked diligently to preserve.

The veterans museum honors Iowa veterans, from the Civil War to the present. Among its exhibits is a replica of the USS Juneau, the World War II cruiser that was sunk in 1942, taking the lives of most of the sailors on board including the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo. The Grout museum digs into Waterloo’s transition from small town to industrial hub and delves into the impact of its immigrant population.

The museum also has good connections for adding interesting programs. Clifton Truman Daniel, Harry S Truman’s oldest grandson, spoke at a dinner to celebrate the museums’ expansion this spring. Qualified museum staff can talk about the history of Waterloo, the Sullivan brothers and other topics. Kelly Sullivan, granddaughter of Albert, one of the Sullivan brothers, is an avid supporter of the museum and has spoken to groups in the past.

LIQUID ASSETS

BY RACHEL CRICK

WATERFRONT MEETING DESTINATIONS — from grand riverfront hotels to waterside venues — can give any meeting a more laidback vibe. And for a landlocked state, Iowa has a surprising number of liquid assets. It’s the only state bordered by two rivers, and many of its cities sprang up along the banks of the Mississippi and Missouri. Combine those river cities with the resorts and resort towns on its many lakes, and Iowa becomes a state rich in waterfront meeting possibilities.

Davenport/Bettendorf

The Quad Cities comprise five cities and numerous small towns and villages in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, with two major metros on each side of the Mississippi River. Davenport and Bettendorf, on the Iowa side, are about five miles apart, with plenty of accommodations for meetings. In downtown Davenport, there are 431 hotel rooms, including rooms at the historic Hotel Blackhawk, The Current Iowa and DoubleTree by Hilton Davenport. The Hotel Blackhawk is connected by skywalk to the city’s RiverCenter and its 100,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes the 33,400-square-foot Great River Hall and the 2,423-seat art deco-style Adler Theatre.

Adler Theatre is a 2,423-seat art deco-style theater in the Quad Cities.

CourtesyVisitQuadCities

Above: The convention floor at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf; the exterior of the QCWCC Far Right: Centennial Bridge in Davenport

Right: Dubuque’s Grand River Center

CourtesyiTIP

CourtesyTravelDubuque

CourtesyiTIP

To the east, Bettendorf’s state-of-the-art meeting facilities include the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, with over 24,000 square feet of space for groups as large as 1,700. The convention center is connected by skywalk to Iowa’s largest hotel, the 509-room Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf In addition to luxurious rooms, a casino and restaurants, the Isle has 15,000 square feet of meeting space and an attached marina.

“In the Quad Cities, each of our downtowns offer completely different experiences and amenities,” said Joan Kranovich, vice president of busi ness growth at Visit Quad Cities. “The uniqueness of our bi-state, multi-city destination adds to the fun vibe of our region.”

visitquadcities.com

Dubuque

Founded by French fur-trader Julien Dubuque in 1833, Dubuque was Iowa’s first community. Once a hotspot for lead mining, this town on Iowa’s eastern border is now known for manufacturing and, of course, hospitality.

“Today people think of Dubuque as a tourist desti nation in the Midwest, definitely for families and busi nesses,” said Julie Kronlage, vice president of sales at Travel Dubuque.

Its position on the Mississippi River has much to do with that, and many of its meeting venues take good advantage of the riverside. In fact, the city’s largest meeting and event space, the Grand River Center, is in the Port of Dubuque, a riverside district on the east side of downtown. The center has 86,000 square feet and 13 meeting rooms and many of its spaces have generous views of the river. The Grand River Center is connected to the 193-room Grand Harbor Resort and its 1,200-square-foot meeting room. Four other hotels several blocks away have meeting space, including the 116-room Hilton Garden Inn at Q Casino, the 193room Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena, and the Hotel Julien, a richly decorated, restored hotel with 133 rooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space.

In the Historic Millwork District, a brick-paved, industrial revitalized district in downtown, restaurants and bars offer entertainment after business hours. A roomy ballroom there with on-site catering can be booked for events of up to 450 people. Another downtown option? The Smithsonian-affiliated Dubuque Museum of Art, where receptions can deliver art and hors d’oeuvres for up to 125 people.

traveldubuque.com

Grand Harbor Resort

CourtesyTravelDubuque

A venue in Dubuque’s Millwork District CourtesyTravelDubuque

BRING OUR CITY SAYS

From venue selection and convention registration to bookable hotel blocks and walkable brunch spots, Greater Des Moines is here to help host your next event.

You bring the people. We bring the places — to meet, to eat, to see, to sleep.

SCAN ME FOR A FREE PLANNER’S GUIDE.

WORTH A GAMBLE

Sioux City

Gaming has a long history in Iowa, and today attendees can try their luck at its 19 casinos. With resort-style amenities and upscale meeting space, these casinos can hit the jackpot for conventions and conferences.

At Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel in Altoona, north of Des Moines, attendees can enjoy gaming, horse racing and relaxing in a 168-room hotel when they aren’t in meetings at the casino’s event center.

In the Quad Cities, Davenport’s Rhythm City Casino is known for having the area’s best spa and a 32,000-squarefoot casino in addition to a 106-room hotel and a 10,455-square-foot event center adjoined by four 1,200-square-foot breakout spaces.

In the Port of Dubuque, the Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque’s 5,000-square-foot meeting facility has views of the Mississippi and is a few blocks from downtown Dubuque’s hotels and attractions.

In western Iowa, the Omaha skyline is the view from Harrah’s Council Bluffs, a Caesars Entertainment property. It has 251 guest rooms and fine meals at its 360 Steakhouse or Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar.

Due north, the chic Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sioux City near downtown elevates events with a 54-room AAA Four-Diamond hotel, two restaurants, three bars, two live entertainment venues and a 45,000-square-foot casino.

Sioux City is in Iowa’s upper west corner, where the Missouri River divides Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. Its ties to Native American culture and the Lewis and Clark Expedition are apparent at sites throughout the city, but it also offers several new meeting venues. With Interstate 29 passing through the city and a highly walkable, historic downtown, it’s also a decidedly accessible city.

“Being a tri-state city, we draw a lot of regional events, and we have a lot of free attractions,” said Kristen Heimgartner, destination experience coordinator at Explore Sioux City. “There’s lots of culture to experience within this area.”

The Sioux City Convention Center, with 40,000 square feet of event space that includes a 28,634-square-foot gallery, is connected to the 150room Courtyard Sioux City Downtown. Two streets north, the Warrior Hotel, a chic AAA Four Diamond property with 148 rooms and 2,800 square feet of meeting space, opened in 2020 and is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection

The west side of downtown is home to Tyson Events Center, with 190,000 square feet of meeting space and a 10,000-seat arena for sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Nearby are two prominent hotels: Stoney Creek Hotel Sioux City, a 161-room lodge-style resort with 16,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sioux City, the city’s other AAA Four Diamond property, with 54 guest rooms.

There are many other options for events and meetings: the historic Orpheum Theatre; the Sioux City Art Center, an art museum in the heart of downtown; The 101, an event venue in a revitalized building with maple floors and exposed brick that’s also headquarters for Stone Bru Coffee Company; and the Peirce Mansion, a restored Victorian home operated by the Sioux City Public Museum.

exploresiouxcity.com

The Sioux City Convention Center includes a 28,634square-foot gallery.

The Orpheum Theatre in

Sioux City

Courtesy Explore Sioux City

Across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, Council Bluffs is the most populous city in southwestern Iowa. Its accessibility has always been an attractive quality – in its early days, the city linked the country’s east and west as the starting point of the Transcontinental Railroad.

CourtesyExploreSiouxCity

“It’s right at the intersection of Interstate 29 and Interstate 80,” said Emma Schwaller, director of marketing at the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s super easy to get to and super affordable. Compared to our counterparts, we have an affordable [room] tax of 7%.”

About 10 minutes southwest of downtown, the Mid-America Center is Council Bluffs’ largest event space. With 64,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a 24,500-square-foot exhibit hall and a 30,000-squarefoot arena, it’s known for hosting conventions and sports competitions. On the river, the Holiday Inn and Suites Council Bluffs Hampton Inn Council Bluffs are adjacent hotels with a combined 283 guest rooms, 6,294 square feet of meeting space, and a shared, in-house catering company.

We’ll give you direct access to Cedar Falls’ best venues, and impress your attendees with legendary entertainment. Whether you want to connect your group with Cedar Falls’ award-winning industries, or reroute traffic to throw a street party—let’s make it happen! We’re ready to put our connections to work for you.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sioux City is a AAA Four Diamond property.

The Sioux City Art Center

Cedar Falls has everything you’d expect, and then some.

“

This is simply the best event we have ever had, and we can’t wait to come back. ”

“ The food was amazing and the venue exceeded our expectations. ”

CourtesyCouncilBluffsCVB

Downtown, the Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center is a new performing arts center in a historic building. Its industrial design makes its multiple theaters feel on trend. At the River’s Edge Pavilion, indoor and outdoor event spaces entertain with views of the river and the Omaha skyline.

CourtesyCouncilBluffsCVB

Okoboji is a resort town in the Iowa Great Lakes that markets Northern Iowa’s seven lakes and the communities that surround them. With boating and other water activities and amusement parks, the destination makes meetings feel like fun getaways.

“It’s a great place to have meetings because our whole community is centered around hospitality and tourism,” said Rebecca Peters, director of tourism at Vacation Okoboji. “Everyone goes out of their way to be friendly.”

For conferences, the 100-room Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center has 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including an 11,000-squarefoot event hall, and is adjacent to Brooks Golf Club, the state’s only Audubon-certified golf course. For meetings that require more guest rooms, the 61-room AmericInn by Wyndham Okoboji is next to the Arrowwood and the recently renovated Okoboji Commons Hotel, with 70 guest rooms, is across the street. In addition to roller coasters, the historic Arnold’s Park Amusement Park has several event spaces, including the 5,000-squarefoot Majestic Pavilion and the 9,000-square-foot Roof Garden Ballroom

Popular off-site venues include Okoboji Classic Cars, a sizeable showroom and restoration shop with a collection of 80 classic cars, antiques and a floor-to-ceiling mural of a 1950s Main Street. The 65,000-square-foot building has hosted events as large as 500 attendees. Barefoot Bar, on East Lake Okoboji, has a Key West feel with frosted drinks, live music, palm trees and resident roosters. To get out on the water, the steamboat Queen II offers cruises for up to 200 people.

vacationokoboji.com

Mid-America Center has 64,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

River’s Edge Pavilion in Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs’ Mid-America Center

Fun on the water in Okoboji

Okoboji Classic Cars

Courtesy iTIP

Courtesy iTIP

Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center in Council Bluffs

Courtesy Council Bluffs CVB

Go off site and see more of what makes Cedar Rapids special

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

Cedar Rapids has no shortage of off-site spots that show what makes the state’s second-largest city special. Be bedazzled during a reception at a busy and beloved restored 1920s theater, savor Czech pastries during a breakout session at a world-class museum devoted to Cedar Rapids’ Czech and Slovak immigrants or breathe in fresh air during a farm-to-table meal at a serene environmental center.

CEDAR RAPIDS’ SHOWPLACE

The Paramount Theatre is a stunner from the start, as guests step into the Hall of Mirrors, a lobby where mirrors magnify the glitter of crystal and art glass chandeliers. The 1,700-seat theater is a knockout too, with gold leaf details, intricate woodwork, red seats and a dazzling dome.

The Paramount is the city’s center for Broadway shows, nationally known musicians, big-name comedians and the local symphony, and it is also a natural for meetings and receptions, given its location three blocks from the convention center. Its stage works for everything from keynote addresses to formal dinners. The Hall of Mirrors sparkles for receptions and adjoins the modern Encore Lounge, so there’s ample room to mingle. The theater’s Wurlitzer organ can kick off an evening with a rousing rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and staff are happy to help line up entertainment for an evening.

CZECH OUT THE CITY’S HERITAGE

The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate that celebrates the Czech and Slovak immigrants who settled Cedar Rapids. During events, guests can wander through permanent exhibits that focus on Czech and Slovak culture, like a display of intricately embroidered folk costumes called kroje.

Located in Czech Village with its breweries, restaurants and retail shops, the museum is eight small blocks from the convention center. It can literally add Czech flavor to events with meals in its conference room that feature traditional Czech dishes or by having a nearby Czech bakery or a group of local ladies make and deliver kolaches, a popular Czech pastry, for breakfasts or desserts.

GO NATURAL

Ten minutes from downtown Cedar Rapids, Indian Creek Nature Center fits in naturally among wildflowers, grasslands and forests. The center’s conference room is spacious, with high ceilings and abundant windows and staff are happy to make learning about sustainability and the environment part of the experience. They’ll give talks about topics like beekeeping—the center has its own hives, sells its honey and even has a hive on display so visitors can see bees at work—and they can bring in red foxes, owls, hawks and other local wildlife for visits. Llamas from a nearby farm can pop over for hugs and selfies, always a big hit. A large deck works as well for yoga classes as it does for farm-to-table dinners; trails through the grasslands and woodlands are nice for leg-stretching breaks.

CEDAR RAPIDS TOURISM OFFICE

Julie Stow

Associate Executive Director/ Director of Meetings and Conventions

319-731-4558

j.stow@tourismcedarrapids.com

tourismcedarrapids.com

BIG PERSONALITIES

BY RACHEL CRICK

THE PHRASE “TINY BUT MIGHTY” can easily apply to meetings and their locales. Smaller cities can bring advantages — from affordability and walkability to eclectic histories and interesting venues — as they shirk smalltown stereotypes.

Decorah

Decorah has the bluffs and cold-water streams typical of the region of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin known as the Driftless Area. Add an energetic craft beverage scene and rich history and Decorah, in Iowa’s northeast corner, becomes a draw.

“It’s a spot that not only can you meet in, but you can also retreat along the way too,” said Alyssa Ritter, marketing and community engagement specialist at Visit Decorah.

Downtown, the historic 34-room Hotel Winneshiek is one of the city’s premier venues, dazzling throughout, adorned with an octagonal lobby, a stained-glass ceiling and other stately architectural features. Next door, the hotel’s Opera House, dating to 1870, is versatile, with a stage and mezzanine for receptions of up to 300. The Winneshiek Meeting Room accommodates 125 guests while the hotel dining room seats 25. North of downtown, Luther College, a private liberal arts school, offers dining, and sometimes in the summer, lodging with its meeting spaces.

The Opera House in Decorah at Hotel Winneshiek can host up to 300.

Above: Fishing in a Decorah stream; wine at Soldier Creek Winery in Fort Dodge

Far right: Craft beer at Toppling

Goliath Brewery outside of Decorah

Right: Fisher of Clams statue in Muscatine

CourtesyIowaTourismOffice

CourtesyGreaterMuscatineChamberofCommerceandIndustry

CourtesyIowaTourismOffice

CourtesyVisitFortDodge

Its Peace Dining Room overlooks the Oneota River Valley and seats 300; six other meeting rooms in the same building accommodate from five to 75 attendees. The college’s Center for Faith and Life larger events, with a 1,400-person capacity.

A number of Decorah’s breweries and cideries offer event space. Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, halfway between downtown and Luther College, has an event space for up to 50 people. A few blocks from the Hotel Winneshiek, Convergence CiderWorks will rent its entire facility. Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, a renowned brewery south of the city, has a taproom and large upstairs event space.

visitdecorah.com

Mason City/Clear Lake

In North Central Iowa off Interstate 35, two small cities that are less than ten miles apart — Mason City and Clear Lake — offer venues with famous connections.

Mason City was the inspiration for the fictional town River City in the 1957 Broadway production “The Music Man,” and its Music Man Square, a replica 1912 streetscape, makes an entertaining venue for up to 350. The city is also home to the North Iowa Events Center, an indoor-outdoor venue for fairs and other large events.

Mason City’s crown jewel is the Historic Park Inn Hotel, designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1900s. After a $20 million restoration, it reopened in 2011 as a 27-room boutique hotel. The Hampton Inn and Suites Mason City and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Mason City offer additional rooms. At the Mason City Art Museum, a meeting room with a large wall of windows overlooks Willow Creek.

“We’re easy to get to; it’s easy to get around and navigate our community; it’s affordable and we just have a lot of unique offerings,” said Lindsey James, executive director of Visit Mason City.

Twenty minutes away, Clear Lake is known for lakeside leisure. Meetings or off-site events for up to 150 attendees can be held aboard the Lady of the Lake, Clear Lake’s vintage paddleboat. Clear Lake State Park Lodge, on the waterfront, can handle up to 60 for events.

“You get that vacation-like atmosphere when you’re here in Clear Lake,” said Libbey Hohn, director of tourism at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s the Key West in the Midwest.”

The historic Surf Ballroom, the last place Buddy Holly played before he died in a plane crash, can handle events, accommodating up to 500 people. At the recently renovated 136-room Best Western Holiday Lodge, meeting spaces include a ballroom for 400. The Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Clear Lake has 84 guest rooms and is next to the Clear Lake Events Center

visitmasoncityiowa.com | clearlakearea.com

Music Man Square, a replica 1912 streetscape, can host an event for up to 350 people.

CourtesyiTIP

Clear Lake’s Lady of the Lake

CourtesyiTIP

Courtesy iTIP

Music Man Square

Amana Colonies

German immigrants established the Amana Colonies’ seven villages, linked by a 17-mile loop, as a communal society in 1855. That history sets the Amana Colonies apart from other small towns in Iowa.

For over a century, people have come to the villages to taste true Ger man foods, drink wines and beers, buy handcrafted wares and art, and attend the many festivals. But they also make the villages a base for their meetings.

“We actually have more event venues than we have villages,” said Stacey Colledge, executive director of the Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Wineries to rustic barns to high-tech fully functional spaces.”

The villages, located a few miles north of Interstate 80, 20 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids, are no more than a couple miles apart, but most of meeting spaces are in Amana, the central village. North of downtown, the Amana RV Park and Events Center and its 5,600-square-foot Pioneer Building and nearly 13,000-square-foot Morton Building are climate controlled for expos and trade shows. Next door, the Amana Performing Arts Center offers a 250-seat auditorium and a lobby for up to 100.

In downtown Amana, the Festhalle Barn is a versatile 100-year-old former dairy barn for gatherings from May to October of up to 500 people. The Price Creek Event Cen ter, next to the barn, has two event spaces, on-site catering and bar service. Amana’s newest edition, the 65-room Millwright, a few blocks south, has an industrial vibe that reflects its past as a woolen mill as well as 8,000 square feet of event space.

amanacolonies.com

Fort Dodge

With more than 30 locally owned restaurants, public art installations and outdoor recreation, Fort Dodge naturally blends work and play. With 11 branded hotels and over 800 rooms, Fort Dodge offers events a wide range of lodging price points.

“Visitors are pleasantly surprised when they arrive and see the places to visit, whether it’s outdoor trails or the diversity of indoor activities” said Tiffany Conrad, community sales manager at Visit Fort Dodge.

On the eastern edge of the city, the Cardiff Event Center at Fort Frenzy is a reception and banquet space attached to an entertainment center. The venue’s largest space seats 400 and three additional meeting rooms can accommodate 15 to 60 attendees. The entertainment center includes mini golf, laser tag, go-carts and a full arcade. Groups can stay next door at the city’s newest hotel, the 64-room Brookstone Inn and Suites Fort Dodge.

Festhalle Barn is a 100-year-old former dairy barn that can accommodate up to 500.

Festhalle Barn in Amana

Fort Dodge’s Blanden Memorial Art Museum

Courtesy Visit Fort Dodge

Ballroom at the Merrill Hotel in Muscatine

On the west side of town, the Best Western Starlite Village has five meeting rooms, a ballroom for banquets up to 425 and 99 guest rooms. For rustic charm, the Fort Museum offers the Opera House venue for events.

In addition to restaurants and shops, historic downtown Fort Dodge is home to popular breweries Shiny Top Brewing and River Hops Brewing. Both offer after-hours networking, live music and fun for guests. Located three blocks from downtown, the Blanden Art Museum is available for morning and afternoon tours and networking opportunities.

Slightly north of Fort Dodge, family-owned Soldier Creek Winery has wine tastings and live music, which are local staples at the 6.5-acre, award-winning vineyard.

dodgetheordinary.com

Muscatine

In the early 1900s, Muscatine made 1.5 billion mother-of-pearl buttons a year, more than anyplace else. Being the Pearl Button Capital of the World, it earned the nickname Pearl City. Today, the Mississippi River town of about 25,000, 30 miles southwest of Davenport, is known for meeting spaces with river views and history.

The finest example may be the Merrill Hotel, Muscatine, a Tribute Portfolio, AAA Four-Diamond boutique hotel that overlooks the river and has been ranked the No. 2 hotel in Iowa by U.S. News and World Report. The 122-room luxury hotel has a modern decor with plenty of natural light and fine dining at its restaurant, Maxwell’s on the River. Its 12,000 square feet of meeting space make it the city’s go-to meeting hotel. The largest of its three ballrooms, the Mississippi, can handle a cocktail reception of 500 or be divided into three smaller rooms.

“The meeting space at the Merrill has a river view, so you can see the river and the bridge,” said Rebecca Paulsen, vice president of operations and tourism at the Muscatine Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The National Pearl Button Museum, where visitors can learn about the workers, the buttons and the mussels that put Muscatine on the map, also has event space overlooking the river. Other local treasures worth investigating include Muscatine Arts Center, the Environmental Learning Center, the city’s riverfront and Wildcat Den State Park.

visitmuscatine.com

IOWA IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Iowa is a long way from Hollywood, but time after time, the state has found its way to the stage and screen. Many sites where movies and other productions were filmed have become popular tourist attractions and places for meeting groups to have special events.

Best known is Dyersville’s “Field of Dreams” Movie Site, one of the most famous baseball fields in the world, where the ever-popular baseball classic of the same name was filmed.

Mason City is all about “The Music Man,” the Broadway musical and movie whose creator, Meredith Willson, grew up there and used his hometown as the model for the musical’s River City. A favorite venue there is Music Man Square, with its recreated movie set of a 1912 streetscape.

For a movie-themed driving tour, groups can head to Winterset to see the covered bridges made famous by the 1995 film “The Bridges of Madison County” starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. Local guides can lead tours of the bridges and supply tidbits about the movie. Winterset has another significant Hollywood tie: It is home to the John Wayne birthplace and the John Wayne Museum.

Fans of “American Pickers” may recognize Antique Archaeology in LeClaire, the television show’s home base. A stop there is a chance to marvel at antiques and other finds.

In Clear Lake, not far from Mason City, the famous Surf Ballroom was the last place that musical legend Buddy Holly played before a fatal plane crash. It has continued its tradition as a showplace for musical talent, hosting big names in music such as Santana, and Robert Plant. Seeing a performance is a possibility, and the ballroom can also be booked for private events.

Courtesy Travel Dubuque

SPECIAL STAYS

BY RACHEL CRICK

NOTHING LETS ATTENDEES LIVE LARGE LIKE A STAY IN A HISTORIC, LUXURY HOTEL, and Iowa has plenty to choose from. Iowans’ pride in their past shows in their tendency to preserve handsome old hotels or turn historic buildings into accommodations. From a downtown hotel designed by one of this country’s best-known architects to the recent and imaginative reworking of a mill in the Amana Colonies, these historic hotels wow with history, elegance and world-class amenities.

Historic Park Inn Hotel Mason City

An icon of American architecture was the mastermind behind the Historic Park Inn Hotel in northern Iowa’s Mason City.

“It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; construction was completed in 1910; and at the time it was built as a business and travel hotel,” said Lindsey James, executive director of the Mason City Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There’s nothing like it.”

Architecture enthusiasts, especially fans of Wright’s work, will delight in this example of the famed architect’s Prairie Style. It’s the only hotel designed by Wright still in existence, and it underwent a $20 million restoration in 2011 to preserve signature stylistic elements, like its stained

The Historic Park Inn Hotel was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Above: Hotel Julien Dubuque; the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City

Far Right: The ballroom at the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City

Right: Carding Studio at Hotel Millwright in Amana

CourtesyITIP

CourtesyHotelMillwright

CourtesyiTIP

CourtesyTravelDubuque

A FULL PICTURE OF FARM LIFE

With a robust agricultural economy, Iowa has no shortage of ag-related experiences and off-site venues.

From May to December, groups can head to Harvestville Farm near Donnellson, in the state’s southeast corner, for farm-to-table meals, bonfires and if they want to have an off-site event, a barn to drink, dine and dance in. For more fun, there’s a corn maze.

In northeast Iowa, Hawkeye Buffalo and Cattle Ranch loads up visitors for a wagon ride to see and feed its buffalo, catch glimpses of other wildlife and learn about ranch history.

Nearby in Decorah, the Heritage Farm is headquarters of the Seed Savers Exchange, an initiative that collects, preserves and distributes rare seeds to encourage biodiversity and sustainable farming. Groups can tour the farm, learn about its mission and processes, and buy seeds and gardening gifts at the visitors center.

Many farms in Iowa focus on producing wines, distilled spirits or cider. Some, like Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery outside of Cedar Rapids, also have venue space. The Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset, Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyard in Ames and Jasper Winery in Des Moines are clustered in the state’s middle. Wilson’s Orchard and Farm, north of Iowa City, has a ciderhouse and venue set among its apple trees, a farm market and a smokehouse that serves applewood smoked barbecue.

The City National Bank, part of Historic Park Inn Hotel, can seat up to 150 for banquets.

glass, horizontal lines, warm-toned wood and geometric shapes. No two of the hotel’s 27 guest rooms are alike.

The City National Bank building, another Mason City building designed by Wright, is now part of the hotel, and it makes a seamless transition as the hotel’s meeting space. The 2,400-square-foot ballroom, on the bank building’s main floor, can seat up to 150 for a banquet. The bank’s basement has additional meeting rooms, like the Blythe Room, for up to 50 theater-style. The hotel also has a skylight room, a lounge and several other spaces for small gatherings.

Its restaurant, Markley & Blythe, offers upscale Midwestern classics, from a 12-ounce ribeye to Iowa cheese curds, and does catering for all events.

historicparkinn.com

Warrior Hotel Sioux City

In downtown Sioux City, two historic buildings have been meticulously restored and combined to create the Warrior Hotel, part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. The hotel opened in 2020.

“When you walk in it feels very classy, with marble, white, black and gold,” said Kristen Heimgartner, destination experience coordinator at Explore Sioux City. “They do have a rooftop bar, which is very popular as well.”

Developers spent $73 million to turn the original and long vacant Warrior Hotel and the adjacent Davidson Building, which was Sioux City’s first office building, into the new Warrior Hotel. While some historic details have been preserved, there are many new, luxurious features like chic dark walls, glossy marble and posh furniture in the 148-room hotel. Guests can enjoy a full-service spa, an indoor pool, city views from the Crown Rooftop Bar, and bowling and drinks in the War Eagle Lanes, a bowling alley and lounge on the hotel’s lower level.

A beverage from Hotel Millwright’s Electric Thread bar

Courtesy Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB

The War Eagle Lanes bowling alley is a part of Warrior Hotel’s many offerings.

The hotel’s 8,423 square feet of meeting space includes a nearly 4,000-square-foot ballroom bordered by a terrace and eight other meeting rooms on two levels. It also serves as a hotel for conventions at the Sioux City Convention , four blocks away.

Steaks and seafood share the spotlight at the Warrior’s restaurant, Woodbury’s: An American Steakhouse, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A wide catering menu, from boxed lunches to multi-course plated dinners, is offered.

thewarriorhotel.com

Hotel Millwright

Amana

In the Amana Colonies, a former woolen mill has become a hotel and meeting venue. The Hotel Millwright opened in the fall of 2020, giving one of Iowa’s top tourist attractions a modern option for visitors and for conferences.

“It’s great for corporate retreats because there are a lot of activities for them to explore in the Amana Colonies,” said Keeley Degel, the hotel’s director of sales. “It’s definitely not your average banquet space.”

A legendary experience awaits! Discover diverse convention spaces, meeting-focused hotels, world-famous attractions and irresistible breakout spaces in Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa. Our complimentary planning service will cusomize your event to meet your specific needs. Reach out today to see if your group qualifies for a tourism marketing grant!

A guest room at the Warrior Hotel in Sioux City

Hotel Millwright offers 65 distinctly decorated guest rooms.

CourtesyHotelMillwright

65 distinctly decorated guest rooms. With over 7,000 square feet of event space, the hotel’s largest venue is the Merino Loft ond floor of the weaving building, which features exposed brick, hardwood floors and plenty of natural light. It accommodates up to 225 guests. Carding wheels hang overhead in the Carding Studio, the hotel’s other indoor meeting space, for up to 50 guests. The beer garden patio at Electric Thread, can be booked for private Indigo Room, the on-site restaurant, touts upscale fare in a casual setting. Catering is handled through the hotel’s kitchen, and audiovisual equipment is provided.

Hotel Blackhawk Davenport

A few blocks from the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, the Hotel Blackhawk, is “hip and historic in downtown Davenport,” said Joan Kranovich, vice president of business growth at Visit Quad Cities.

Built in 1915 and reopened after a $46 million renovation in 2010, the 130-room hotel is a member of the Marriott Autograph Collection and is considered “one of the best in Iowa,” said Kranovich.

Its architecture conveys class. Its lobby is crowned by a stained-glass skylight. Floors and columns are marble; there’s an abundance of arches. Some unexpected amenities are tucked inside: a bowling alley on the lower level, an indoor pool, a spa and a barbershop.

The hotel’s 10,000 square feet of meeting space is dominated by the Gold Room, a 3,300-square-foot ballroom with high ceilings, grand arches, shimmering chandeliers and gold accents. The Davenport Room, another elegant space off the Gold Room, can seat up to 200 banquet-style. Additional meeting rooms, private lounges and dining rooms, and the top floor’s Club Davenport add more options. The hotel is also attached to the RiverCenter, Davenport’s largest event venue. In addition to turning out meals for Bix Bistro and Rise Neighborhood Café, the hotel’s culinary team handles all event catering, from buffets to hors d’oeuvres.

hotelblackhawk.com

Courtesy Hotel Julien Dubuque

The Merino Loft at Hotel Millwright in Amana

A board room at the Hotel Julien Dubuque

The Gold Room at Hotel Blackhawk Courtesy Visit Quad Cities

A king suite at the Hotel Blackhawk

CourtesyVisitQuadCities

Hotel Julien Dubuque

The historic Hotel Julien Dubuque takes up a full city block on Dubuque’s Main Street. Originally constructed in 1915, the stately Beaux Arts-style red brick and limestone building reopened as a 133-room boutique hotel in 2009 after a restoration that uncovered the lobby’s marble tiles, reopened the atrium to the lobby below, added dark millwork, and uncovered crown molding, windows and high ceilings.

“It’s a very beautiful hotel; it was beautifully restored and is very appealing to the eye,” said Sonja Harris, sales director at Hotel Julien. “One thing that is very popular is the use of our ballroom and an atrium on the second level that looks down on the lobby.”

With 17-foot ceilings and deep crown molding, the polished Grande Ballroom can seat 215 banquet-style and 300 theater-style. The atrium often serves as pre-function space, ideal for registration and breaks. The Fleur de Lis, adjacent to the ballroom and atrium, seats up to 150 for a banquet. The hotel has a total of 15,000 square feet of meeting space, including conference rooms, a board room and a terrace that overlooks the Mississippi. For down time, there’s a lounge and a spa.

The hotel’s restaurant, Caroline’s, serves American classics with a twist, like a peppercorn filet and a bacon-wrapped Iowa pork tenderloin. The hotel consults with meeting planners on menus for their events.

hoteljuliendubuque.com

UNIQUELY IOWA OFF-SITES

BY RACHEL CRICK

WHAT DO ROLLER COASTERS, RIVERBOATS AND FAMED MOVIE SETS HAVE IN COMMON?

They’re all great for off-site events, and they can all be found in Iowa. Whether they’re designed to reward attendees for a job well done or promote teambuilding, these exclusively Iowa venues embody the state’s spirit and delight its visitors.

Cinnamon Ridge Farms/Hansen’s Dairy

Donahue/Hudson

Farm life is essential to Iowa’s economy, and thousands of farms populate its bucolic landscapes. As well as being agricultural operations, some farms have focuses that make them attractions.

Cinnamon Ridge Farms, just north of Iowa’s Quad Cities, is a family owned and operated robotic dairy farm, which means cows enter milking stalls voluntarily and set their own schedules. This new way of dairy farming piques everyone’s interest. The farm welcomes visitors to see how the process works, how the cows are cared for and how the dairy products are made.

Hansen’s Dairy’s Tour Center can seat 64 and can accommodate up to 90 people.

Above: Wagon rides at Cinnamon Ridge Farms in Donahue; the Cinnamon Ridge sign

Far right: An aerial view of Hansen’s Dairy near Waterloo

Right: Team of Dreams at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville

CourtesyVisitQuadCities

CourtesyTravelDubuque

CourtesyHansen’sDairy

CourtesyVisitQuadCities

“They do tours all day long and welcome small groups or groups as large as 100,” said Joan Kranovich, vice president of business growth for Visit Quad Cities.

Groups can settle in for farm-to-table dinners, with fare made with ingredients from Cinnamon Ridge. A farm store sells meats and cheeses produced there.

Kangaroos are unexpected mascots at Hansen’s Dairy, a dairy farm and creamery near Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Visitors can pet kangaroos and cows on guided tours, bottle-feed calves, watch the farm’s daily operations, make butter and sample the creamery’s products, including homemade ice cream. Lunch can be catered by nearby Randall’s Stop ‘N Shop in Hudson. For a meeting before or after a tour, the Tour Center, a monolithic dome on the farm, has a full kitchen, dishes and a smart TV, and it can comfortably seat 64 and accommodate up to 90.

A trip to the farm is “a good way to showcase something that’s very Iowa,” said Jordan Hansen of Hansen’s Dairy. “It’s a good representation of what Iowa is all about.”

tourmyfarm.com | hansendairy.com

Arnold’s Park Amusement Park/ Lost Island Theme and Waterparks Okoboji/Waterloo

Amusement parks infuse meetings with adrenaline and frivolous fun, and Iowa has several options for an afternoon of excitement.

In western Iowa, Arnold’s Park Amusement Park has long been a prominent attraction, with amusement rides and event venues that effortlessly blend work with play.

“It’s a 130-year-old amusement park on the shores of West Lake Okoboji, and it’s got the oldest wooden roller coaster west of the Mississippi,” said Rebecca Peters, director of tourism at Vacation Okoboji.

Planners can organize an afternoon of team building or plain old fun at the park, and there are plenty of park venues for meetings, such as the Majestic Pavilion, a 5,000-square-foot historic building with antique fixtures and hardwood floors. It can seat 300 for banquets. Another venue, the 9,000-square-foot Roof Garden Ballroom, can handle crowds of up to 500.

In Waterloo, the new $110 million Lost Island Themepark and Waterpark is packed with thrilling rides and fun games. Ranked among the top 5 theme parks in the country, it offers group discounts and rents its pavilion for private events with catered meals. Groups can also rent the entire park for three-hour events after it closes at 7.

“It’s unique to Iowa and it’s absolutely a beautiful space,” said Lindsay Pieters, marketing director at Experience Waterloo. “It would be great for a leisure activity to do with your team.”

arnoldspark.com | thelostisland.com

Field of Dreams Dyersville

Surrounded by the cornfields of Dyersville, the Field of Dreams Movie Site will appeal to sports and cinema enthusiasts right off the bat. The inspirational, baseball-themed 1989 movie starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta and James Earl Jones was filmed there in the expansive cornfields of the Iowan countryside. The site, about a 35-minute drive west from Dubuque, has both the baseball field and Kinsella home from the movie. Tours can be arranged, including 30-minute guided tours of the home. A sightseeing excursion to the movie site is a rewarding recreational activity to tack onto a meeting itinerary, and there are also rentals for meetings, events and team building at this Iowa-exclusive gem.

“The Field of Dreams is known internationally, and when groups have the opportunity to meet and enjoy the space, they get to know what it was like to film the movie there,” said Julie Kronlage, vice president of sales at Travel Dubuque. “It’s the most famous baseball field in the world.”

A renovated barn from the 1870s is one of the event spaces available; it can comfortably seat 150. The Kinsella Home can also be booked from March through December. Ghost players from the movie can do a meet-and-greet with groups.

For team building or a staff game, the field can be rented Sundays–Wednesdays from 8–9 a.m. or 6–10 p.m. from April through October. Just like at a baseball park, refreshments are sold at the site’s concession stand, but meals can also be arranged through J&D Catering

fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com

A water slide at Lost Island Waterpark in Waterloo

TASTY TREATS

Iowa likes to play with its foods, and its willingness to experiment in the kitchen has led to some tasty treats.

The most widely known and loved is the Rice Krispie Treat, invented in Iowa in 1903, now a nationwide favorite. Iowans later made the treat even tastier by adding peanut butter to the Rice Krispie mix and topping the bars with chocolate and butterscotch. The resulting treat, the Scotcheroo, makes frequent appearances in Iowa school lunchboxes and at potlucks and could be a fun addition to the dessert table at a banquet or reception.

Another sweet treat, Blue Bunny ice cream, is made in Le Mars and sold across the country. The town of 10,000 churns out more ice cream than any place in the world and stores it in a 12-story freezer that’s one of the tallest anywhere. The new Wells Visitors Center shares the company’s history and offers tours and ice cream treats.

At the Iowa State Fair, new food concepts get tasted and tested by thousands of fairgoers each August. The fair is famous for sticking foods on a stick. There are the expected treats, like corn dogs and cotton candy but always some surprises like pork chops and deep-fried Twinkies on a stick.

Given Iowa’s status as a leading producer of hogs, pork is prolific, so serving a thick Iowa pork chop or breaded pork tenderloin is a way to eat locally. Two other dishes first concocted in Iowa could also be added to meeting meals. Steak de Burgo, a Des Moines staple, is tender beef tenderloin topped with a butter or cream sauce laced with mushrooms, garlic and herbs. The taco pizza first hit the menu at a Happy Joe’s in the Quad Cities in the early 1970s and spread across the state and Midwest. Today, the pizza – basically a pizza crust topped with refried beans, tomato sauce, cheese, lettuce and tomato – is on the menu at lots of pizza places, including Happy Joe’s and Casey’s around the state. And of course, Iowa sweet corn always holds a spot in the hearts of Iowans and visitors too.

CourtesyExperienceWaterloo

Courtesy Iowa State Fair

Celebration River Cruises Quad Cities

The Mississippi River makes a marvelous backdrop for meetings in the Quad Cities, and one of the best ways to experience the mighty river is with Celebration River Cruises aboard the Celebration Belle. Four decks high, this 750-passenger riverboat is the largest on the upper Mississippi. Each of its two enclosed dining decks, which seat 250, have their own stage and dance floor; two observation decks have spacious seating. There’s also a gift shop on board.

“When you’re holding a meeting in the Iowa area, this gives people a great evening event to add to their itinerary. It also gives them the opportunity to cruise on the majestic Mississippi,” said Susan Yarolem, director of sales and marketing at Celebration River Cruises. “It’s the highlight of their meetings.”

Many meeting groups opt to take one of the company’s regularly scheduled cruises, like the narrated lunch cruise, afternoon sightseeing cruise or a dinner cruise. Dinner cruises are a popular evening outing, with a choice of three gourmet entrees, including the company’s much-loved prime rib. Dinner is followed by live music and dancing. Celebration River Cruises also offers themed cruises, holiday cruises and all-day cruises.

CourtesyCelebrationRiverCruises

The cruise company is flexible when it comes to designing cruises for meeting groups. Planners can rent the entire boat for an event or simply board early for a speaking event or meeting before the cruise begins. Cruises typically are offered Tuesday–Saturday, but custom cruises on Sundays and Mondays are a possibility.

celebrationbelle.com

Wells Fargo Arena/Principal Park Des Moines

Sports and their combination of friendly competition, electric atmo sphere and old-fashioned fun bring people together. Two sports venues in Des Moines can add a refreshing bit of recreation to a conference itinerary.

Principal Park, home to the minor-league Iowa Cubs, is downtown, at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. The 11,500-seat ball park was renovated in 2006 and has several suites and a restaurant. While it doesn’t do a lot of events, meeting attendees frequently come to watch a game together.

“It’s used more for doing a reception tied in with the game,” said Trina Flack, vice president of sales at Catch Des Moines.

If it isn’t baseball season or if attendees prefer a different sport, the Fargo Arena is home to the city’s minor-league basketball team, the Iowa Wolves, and its hockey team, the Iowa Wilds. The 16,980-seat arena is part of downtown’s Iowa Events Center, so it’s attached to a convention center with meeting rooms and exhibit space and the 330-room Downtown convention hotel. The arena is also within walking distance of other hotels, restaurants and venues.

iowaeventscenter.com/wells-fargo-arena | mlb.com/iowa/ballpark

The Celebration Belle on the Mississippi River

Principal Park in Des Moines

The fourth deck on the Celebration Belle Courtesy Catch Des Moines

Experience Excellence at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center!

Conveniently located in the heart of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we are the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in the Corridor offering an unparalleled experience for all your corporate gatherings, conferences, and special occasions.

Exceptional Spaces:

Discover our state-of-the-art meeting rooms offering complimentary audiovisual services and event spaces designed to elevate your experience. Whether you’re planning a small board meeting, a large conference, or a grand celebration, we have the perfect space to suit your needs.

Unique Experiences:

We offer unique culinary team-building experiences that bring colleagues together in a fun and interactive way. Step into our world-class kitchen and embark on a culinary adventure that will strengthen bonds and foster collaboration among your team.

Impeccable Service:

We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service that exceeds expectations. Our dedicated team of event professionals will work closely with you to understand your unique vision and assist in every step of the planning process.

Culinary Excellence:

Our award-winning culinary team crafts exquisite menus using locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a delightful dining experience for your guests. From sumptuous plated meals to creative hors d’oeuvres and refreshing beverages, our culinary creations are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Iowa State Fair,Des Moines

Shiny Top Brewing, Fort Dodge

Hoff Center Patio, Council Bluffs

Up Skybar, Quad Cities

Orpheum Theatre, Sioux City

Field ofDreams,Dyersville

Hotel Millwright, Amana

Shop in Music Man Square, Mason City

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.

WWW.IOWATRAVELINDUSTRY.ORG @IATRAVELPARTNER