On Location — Savvy Planners Book These Iowa Hot Spots

Vegas, LA, New York? Sure, they’re great places to hold an event or a corporate convention. They’re also expensive, crowded, and can be a logistical nightmare. Good thing there are fantastic places closer to home that are affordable, accommodating, and easy to navigate. Take a look at some fun facts about these Iowa hot spots that are fast becoming popular with planners:

Catch What You’ve Been Missing

Catch Des Moines and find out why it’s a top destination with exciting area attractions to find fun when the work gets done.
• Choose your accommodations from over 13,000 rooms at boutique properties and brand-name hotels at which you can rest, relax, and meet.
• Restaurants here range from gourmet cuisine to casual suppers. Local chefs love to build dishes with Iowa-raised beef, eggs, and produce.
• Make your meeting memorable at any of the area’s fabulous venues including the Iowa Events Center, the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, or the Rollins Mansion.
• There are incredible can’t-miss attractions here including the Downtown Farmer’s Market ranked #2 in the country; Adventureland Park; the Science Center of Iowa; and Blank Park Zoo.

Unlike Anywhere Else. On Purpose.

Council Bluffs offers visitors small town hospitality with big city amenities.
• Whether you choose a comfy hotel, cozy cabin, or charming inn, you’ll find accommodations here are affordable and comfortable with amazing service.
• Order classic American cuisine or international fare at the city’s diverse restaurants. From old-fashioned favorites to modern culinary classics, there’s no shortage of must-try restaurants in this town.
• Gather your group in one of the area’s exceptional meeting and banquet venues, such as the Mid-America Center, Bayliss Park Hall, Council Bluffs Country Club, or Harrah’s Casino Hotel.
• When work is done, see the sights like the historic August Beresheim House; go biking or hiking at Big Lake Park; bet on a good time at the Horseshoe Casino; or stroll the galleries at Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment.

Discover All the Hidden Treasures

Visit Quad Cities which includes the towns of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, East Moline, and Rock Island, Illinois.
• Meeting space is distinctive and abundant, including the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, the TaxSlayer Center, and the QCCA Expo Center, to name just a few.
• There is plenty of comfortable lodging available here, from upscale to family-friendly accommodations, as well as dozens of casual and fine dining establishments.
• Don’t forget to experience the local culture and attractions by visiting the Centennial Garden or the Isle Casino Hotel and Conference Center in Bettendorf, and Bix Beiderbecke Museum & World Archives in Davenport.

Kinda Like Chicago But with Immediate Seating

Visit Ames, named one of the Most Fitness Friendly Places of 2018 and the Best College Town in Iowa.
• Lodging is plentiful here, from comfortable hotels that are family-friendly to B&Bs that welcome you with historic charm.
• Whether you’re a hiker or biker, shopper or foodie, history buff or golf course duffer, there’s plenty of fabulous things to do in Ames.
• Distinctive and versatile meeting venues include The Central Iowa Expo Center, Reiman Gardens, Sukup End Zone Club, and Zekes.
• Ames boasts some of the state’s greatest culinary creations. From authentic Italian cantinas to homestyle diners, from finger-licking-good BBQ joints to hibachi-style restaurants, you’ll find something for every taste in Ames.

Extraordinary and Out of the Ordinary

Visit Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau for year-round adventures, arts and culture, and small-town charm all nestled in the scenic Iowa countryside.
• There are lots of unique and interesting things to do and see in Cedar Falls, including fat bike racing in the snow, cross-country skiing, shopping, biking, camping, tennis, golf, and more.
• Whether you want to get comfy in a historic inn or pamper yourself at a luxury boutique hotel, you’ll find some of Iowa’s best accommodations in Cedar Falls. From B&Bs to campgrounds, you’re guaranteed to find relaxation here.
• Get a taste of local flavor at area restaurants serving everything from American cuisine to Asian, Mexican, and Italian.
• A variety of unique meeting spaces can accommodate conferences or banquets. Consider the Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel/Event Center, Antique Acres, Barn Happy, or the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club for a memorable gathering.

Where Iowa Started

Travel Dubuque to discover the place for your unforgettable event. Located along the Mississippi River bordering Illinois and Wisconsin, visitors can see all three states at the world’s shortest, steepest, railway, the Fenelon Place Elevator.
• A variety of unique meeting and banquet venues await your group, including the Grand River Center, situated along the mighty Mississippi River.
• Whether you want to book a luxury hotel or a waterpark resort, a B&B or historic inn, area lodging is comfortable and accommodating.
• With an abundance of locally-owned restaurants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, from 7 Hills Brewing Company to Adobos Mexican Grill, Convivium Urban Farmstead to Park Farm Winery.
• When the work day is done you can go hiking in the Mines of Spain Recreation Area; stroll the grounds of the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens; try your luck at the Q Casino & Hotel; or visit the “Field of Dreams” ballfield in Dyersville.