Iowa City’s academic culture brings in many state, national and international groups, especially those in the medical and technology fields, with hotel inventory and other facilities able to accommodate up to 3,000, says Jillian Beukema, vice president of the Iowa City/Coralville CVB.
But this cerebral city is about more than study and innovation.
“Athletics are a big part of who we are, too,” she says, “and our bread and butter is arts and culture.”
One venue with the culture aura is the vintage Englert Civic Theatre, the city’s most historic platform, lately refurbished as a performance venue for musicals, plays and dance.
“The theater seats 800, so you can even have a conference there,” Beukema says.
Works by local artists are on display on the theater’s second floor in a space that can host up to 50.
Iowa City’s culinary arts scene is also a strong draw for groups, Beukema adds.
“Everything downtown is locally owned,” she says. “You won’t find any chains, but you will find everything from modern to very high-end restaurants with eclectic menus.”
Private dining options are available among restaurateur Jim Mondanaro’s Fresh Food Concepts tables. There’s Micky’s Irish Pub, Givanni’s, Mondo’s Tomato Pie in Coralville, Joesph’s Steakhouse, and The Saloon. Mondanaro has been a culinary star around town for some time, and other restaurants on the scene are owned by people who once worked for him before striking out on their own. Many reflect Mondanaro’s “made to order from scratch” philosophy.
Inside Plaza Towers on the Ped Mall, hotelVetro—the city’s newest and trendiest boutique lodging and meetings choice—shares a roof with yet another Mondanaro concept. Bread Market Garden & Bakery, a medley of cafe, restaurant pastry shop, deli, buffet, bakery, gift shop, and grocery store, stands next to Formosa Asian Cuisine, a sushi and Asian fare stop with an upbeat lounge atmosphere. The Towers connects with Sheraton Iowa City Hotel and everything the mall district offers for downtime enjoyment.
Out and about the Iowa prairie, groups enjoy touring and dining in the nearby Amana Colonies, Beukema says. The Colonies are a collection of seven villages about 20 minutes’ drive out of the city, with a variety of shops and restaurants welcoming visitors.
Still looking something like they did 150 years ago when German immigrants claimed their piece of the heartland, they were named a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Wooden and clapboard buildings display traditional German craftsmanship and the straight lines of Colonial American ingenuity. Flower and vegetable gardens, lanterns and walkways recall Amana’s yesterday, and daytime tours and dinners in the Colonies are a common choice for groups meeting in Iowa City, Beukema points out.
