Greater Des Moines
- The 119-room Courtyard by Marriott Ankeny (515.422.5555; www.marriott.com) is scheduled to open in August with more than 6,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, including a state-of-the-art audiovisual system and complimentary high-speed Internet access.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport (515.309.4444; www.marriott.com) opened in July with 82 guest rooms, a business center, an exercise room and heated pool.
- The Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines (515.457.9500; www.druryhotels.com) opened in July with 180 rooms and 5,500 square feet of meeting space.
- The Agricultural Exhibition Center (515.262.3111; www.blueribbonfoundation.org) is scheduled to debut at the 2010 Iowa State Fair. The multiuse facility will accommodate events ranging from livestock shows and exhibits to intimate concerts.
- Connxions (515.276.3333; www.connxionsonline.com), scheduled to open in Urbandale this month, is a mixed-use facility featuring an event center with 5,000 square feet of function space.
Ames
- The Gateway Hotel & Conference Center (800.FOR.AMES; www.gatewayames.com) received IACC certification in June. Gateway is the only IACC-certified property in Iowa.
- Iowa State University’s Conference Services (515.294.6222; www.ucs.iastate.edu/planning.htm) was certified as a one-stop shop by the Association of Collegiate Conference & Events Directors-International. The designation means Iowa State University’s Conference Services provides planners with one point of contact, a single contract and a complete itemized bill for all conference and event services at the Iowa State Center.
- Reiman Gardens (515.294.2710; www.reimangardens.iastate.edu), a year-round meeting and event space situated on a 14-acre site, completed a major renovation project in May, including the creation of a ballroom for up to 300 guests and a new dedicated classroom meeting space.
- Prairie Moon Winery & Vineyards (515.232.2747; www.prairiemoonwinery.com), which is able to accommodate outside functions for up to 1,500 people, recently added a banquet facility that seats more than 300 people and has full kitchen support. Prairie Moon also has a tasting room that seats up to 50 people.
Pella
- The Cordova Center (641.828.2257; www.marioncountyiowa.com), situated near the Cordova Observation Tower at Lake Red Rock, will open in 2012 and feature numerous group venue options, including an environmental learning center with a cafe, a theater and a meeting and banquet hall; an outdoor performing arts amphitheater; and an events plaza.