Greater Des Moines is an affordable, easy, and surprising destination for meetings, conventions, and events. Every year, more than 3 million visitors come to experience the food, fun, and hospitality that the metro area offers. Ranked as one of the Top 10 Hippest Mid-Sized Cities in America by gogobot.com, Des Moines continues to build a reputation for its big city offerings without the hassle and price tag.
Greater Des Moines' growth as a meetings destination is thanks to the more than $3 billion city transformation. The metro now offers more than 12,500 hotel rooms, expanded rideshare and public transportation offerings, recently renovated meeting facilities, more than 1,000 locally-owned restaurants, more than 800 miles of trails, and dozens of new public art pieces sprinkled throughout the metro.
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Des Moines is easy to get to with nearly two dozen direct flights from the Des Moines International Airport and its convenient location at the intersection of Interstate 80 and Interstate 35. Once here, visitors can access a free downtown shuttle that takes people from Western Gateway Park where restaurants, meeting facilities, and a 28-piece sculpture park can be found, to the Historic East Village, which boasts more than 90 local restaurants, retailers, and entertainment venues as well as the Iowa State Capitol. Downtown is safe, clean, and walkable. With a 4-mile climate-controlled skywalk system, you can easily get to hotels, restaurants, and meeting facilities with ease. Plus, Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are always just a few minutes away to take you where you want to go.
Easy navigation is only the beginning when it comes to hosting a meeting in Des Moines. Your attendees can also enjoy the affordable restaurants and attractions the city offers. Whether they are looking for a James Beard nominated chef or an As Seen on TV destination, visitors can experience award-winning dishes for half the price and without the wait. Des Moines also offers a long list of free attractions and events including the Des Moines Art Center, the award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival, Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market, and so much more.
Commonly referred to as "Hartford of the West," Des Moines is one of the largest insurance centers in the United States. Several large corporations are headquartered in Des Moines including Principal Financial Group, Meredith Publishing Company, Allied Insurance, and EMC Insurance. These companies play an important role in growing the arts and culture scene and luring large events to the metro through their volunteer efforts, financial support, and overall commitment to enhancing the community.
Experience a city that will deliver a unique and memorable experience for your attendees. Catch the excitement, affordability, and ease of Greater Des Moines for your next event.