Des Moines/Ames
A massive renovation of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (515.564.8000; www.iowaeventscenter.com) in Des Moines is slated for completion in January 2012. The facility was gutted as part of the project, and upgrades will include the addition of 32,800 square feet of meeting space, 1,200 square feet of ballroom space and 28,700 square feet of multipurpose space.
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino (515.967.1000; www.prairiemeadows.com) in nearby Altoona, plans to open an adjoining 180-room hotel in spring 2012.
Plans are under way for the Scheman Building (515.294.5822; www.center.iastate.edu), located at Iowa State University in Ames, to add an executive boardroom for up to 30 people and another meeting room for up to 125 people. Additions are slated for completion in July.
Pella
- The 87-room Holiday Inn Express Pella (641.628.4853; www.hiexpress.com) recently completed an upgrade of its pool, suites and bathrooms.
Mason City/Waterloo/Marshalltown
- A major restoration is under way at the Historic Park Inn Hotel (641.423.0689; www.wrightonthepark.org) in Mason City. The property, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1910, will open in August as a 27-room boutique hotel with a ballroom for group events.
- The Black's Gypsy Tea Room in Waterloo was recently transformed into the Sky Events Centre (319.234.2012; www.barmuda.com). The center is located on the 8th floor of Waterloo's Black's Building and offers a 240-person ballroom and a 50-person hospitality room.
- The Orpheum Theater Center (641.844.5919; www.orpheumcenter.com) in Marshalltown completed a restoration in June 2010. The theater offers two multipurpose rooms for private events that can hold 24 people and 48 people, respectively. It also houses a 152-person movie house and a 146-person black box theater.
Cedar Rapids/Amana Colonies
- Construction is under way on the new Cedar Rapids Convention Complex (319.398.5009; www.cedar-rapids.com). The project includes the renovation of the former Five Seasons Crowne Plaza, which is currently closed for a $25 million upgrade. The property will open in November 2012. Also part of the project is the renovation of the U.S. Cellular Center Arena, which is attached to the hotel. The arena will close this summer for a major renovation and reopen in late 2012. The final piece of the complex is a new convention center, which will be attached to both the hotel and arena. The convention center is slated to open in February 2013 with 72,000 square feet of exhibit space, 13,000 square feet of ballroom space and 21,500 square feet of meeting space
- The Hotel Kirkwood Center (319.848.8700; www.thehotelatkirkwood.com) in Cedar Rapids opened in July 2010 with 71 rooms and meeting space for up to 700 delegates.
Iowa City/Coralville
- The 234-room Sheraton Iowa City Hotel (319.337.4058; www.starwoodhotels.com) completed an $11 million upgrade in mid-2010.
Dubuque
- The 69-room Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Dubuque (563.583.2500; www.countryinns.com) recently finished an upgrade.
Quad Cities
- The 130-room Hotel Blackhawk (563.322.5000; www.hotelblackhawk.com) in Davenport wrapped up a renovation last December.
- A renovation of the Holiday Inn Rock Island (309.794.1212; www.holidayinn.com) is slated for completion later this year.
Burlington
- The 76-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (319.752.0000; www.hiexpress.com) recently completed a facility-wide renovation.
Council Bluffs/Sioux City
- The 198-room Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Council Bluffs (712.322.5050; www.holidayinn.com) plans to finish a guest room upgrade by late summer.
- The Holiday Inn Sioux City (712.277.9400; www.holidayinn.com) completed upgrades to its restaurant, lobby and lounge early this year.