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