Mingling work and play in Eastern Iowa’s group-friendly destinations is a cinch for planners, as the region is filled with world-class attractions and various fun activities as well as meetings-ready facilities and an intriguing lineup of off-site venues for hosting memorable events.
Cedar Rapids
The nearly $1 billion invested in Cedar Rapids since 2008, including new facilities for meetings and revitalized neighborhoods lined with eateries, theaters, cafes and shops, has, according to Sarah Tarnowski, director of convention sales at the Cedar Rapids Area CVB, made the city a more attractive place to work and play.
A couple new and notable members of the city’s impressive meetings portfolio are the Hotel at Kirkwood Center, the city’s only AAA Four Diamond hotel, and the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, which opened in 2013 with over 80,000 square feet of meeting space and rising-star Executive Chef Nazim Khan. His show, Chop Chop with Chef Nazim, is aired on local channels KGAN and KFXA, and his unique cuisine is spotlighted on banquet menus and at the property’s signature restaurant, 350 First, which has become a local hot spot offering bird’s-eye views of the city.
As for off-sites, the NewBo City Market, which is located in the hip NewBo neighborhood, is Iowa’s only year-round indoor market. According to Tarnowski, it was just named the 2014 Iowa Tourism Attraction of the Year.
“You’ll find over two dozen start-up restaurants, specialty shops, live music, a fresh produce market and more,” she says, adding the market has private space for events.
When business has concluded, groups with time for some fun can check out a Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball game.
“There isn’t a bad seat in the house and with local beers and foods it’s a great place to enjoy an authentic ballgame meal,” Tarnowski says, adding that groups can reserve the mezzanine or, for smaller groups, one of the suites.
Among the many other entertaining options for groups in Cedar Rapids is an outing to Cedar Ridge Winery, where attendees will enjoy tours, wine tastings, a meal and live music, or to the Paramount Theatre, which features a full calendar of performances and has space for group gatherings.
Dubuque
Iowa’s oldest city has also undergone a revitalization in recent years that, according to Julie Kronlage, director of sales at the Dubuque Area CVB, has made the city a great destination for groups of all sizes seeking a place to work and play.
“By day convention and meeting delegates can meet overlooking the world’s fourth-largest river or in newly renovated hotel space, and by night, they can dine with the animals that occupy the river or take in Dubuque’s vibrant downtown nightlife,” she says, citing the happening and group-friendly Historic Millwork District, where planners will find various indoor and outdoor reception spaces.
Dining with river animals can be arranged at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, a standout Dubuque off-site where delegates can network alongside fish and other critters and enjoy a delicious meal.
Among the options where groups can get down to business are the Grand Harbor Resort/Grand River Center, attached properties via enclosed climate-controlled skywalk on the banks of the Mississippi River. Kronlage says the hotel recently completed a guest room remodel and the Grand River Center recently received an extensive technology upgrade.
The Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center and Hotel Julien Dubuque, once home to mobster Al Capone, are two other popular meetings-friendly properties in the city.
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For play, groups can try their luck in one of Dubuque’s various casinos or check the schedule at its theaters, including Five Flags Theater, the Grand Opera House and the Bell Tower Theater.
“All facilities also welcome your group to use their space for private events,” Kronlage says.
Iowa City/Coralville Area
“The Iowa City/Coralville area is a great place for a meeting group to take care of business and enjoy themselves because we have an abundant number of outstanding meetings sites as well as several options for fun when there is downtime,” says Anissa Wolfe, director of sales at the Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB.
Top among the area’s meetings players are the Coralville Marriott, Sheraton Iowa City Hotel and hotelVetro.
“For events you’d like to host outside, hotelVetro has a 4,800-square-foot open-air terrace that offers a wonderful view of the Old Capital Cultural District,” Wolfe says. “Each property offers something for everyone to enjoy.”
A great off-site is the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts performances and has spaces for receptions and meet-and-greets.
After the meeting, the area offers various downtime options, including a tour of the Old Capitol Museum on the University of Iowa campus and a visit to Backpocket Brewing.
Backpocket offers brewery tours and has space available for fun receptions, including inside the brewery next to beer tanks and a beer garden. Popular brews here include Slingshot German Dark Lager, Penny Whistle Bavarian Wheat and Jackknife Pale Ale.
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities, located on the banks of the Mississippi River, is a “fun, prosperous region with many business resources to connect to your meeting message,” says Lynn Hunt, vice president of sales at the Quad Cities CVB.
Part of that message should be to have a good time, which is so easily accomplished in this area.
Shopping, antiquing and tasting spirits in LeClaire, Iowa, makes for a nice afternoon group outing, according to Hunt, who cites Wide River Winery and Mississippi River Distilling Company as popular stops, and adds that groups also enjoy visiting Antique Archaeology, home of the History Channel’s American Pickers.
“These attractions are surrounded by unique boutique shops and the Buffalo Bill Museum,” she says, adding that the Celebration Belle and the Twilight River Boat offer lunch and dinner cruises on the Mississippi River. “Entertainment, dancing, sunsets and cocktails are available on both boats.”
Top meetings players here include Quad Cities Event Center in downtown Davenport and the Bettendorf-based Isle Casino Hotel, which is connected to the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convection Center.
“The Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport is available for classy reception-type events for large groups and sit-down dinners for smaller groups,” Hunt says. “And attendees can visit the amazing galleries.”
Waterloo
“Waterloo is great for work and play,” says Paige Nieman, director of convention sales at the Waterloo CVB. “We have meeting facilities of all sizes, unique off-site event venues, exceptional dining and nightlife and award-winning attractions.”
Among the city’s best meetings-friendly properties are the Ramada Hotel, which is connected via skywalk to the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, and the Isle Casino Hotel.
The Waterloo Center for the Arts, which offers a scenic river setting with easy access for events accommodating up to 250 people, and the RiverLoop Amphitheatre, an outdoor facility with seating for 600 people, are two popular attractions that double as off-site event spaces.
Post-business, groups will find fun at the Lost Island Waterpark, which Nieman calls “a tropical island getaway right here in Waterloo with miniature golf, go-karts and a zipline,” and Waterloo Community Playhouse, one of Iowa’s top theaters for staging comedies, dramas, mysteries and musicals.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus.
