Kelsey Sebern is a meeting/event administrator with the Iowa State Association of Counties in West Des Moines, Iowa
What does your job entail?
I am responsible for planning educational conferences and events for our membership, which consists of county officials and employees in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. I also serve as the liaison for our board of directors and the executive board of the Iowa State Association of County Supervisors.
Describe your recent meeting in Council Bluffs?
We traveled to Council Bluffs in September 2015 for our board of directors retreat. Each year we hold the retreat in the home county of our association president. We stayed at Harrah’s Council Bluffs, and had about 30 board members, spouses and staff in attendance.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
The tour of Squirrel Cage Jail was enjoyed immensely by our group. The jail provided us the opportunity to experience firsthand a unique piece of cultural and architectural history. It was fascinating to hear stories that took place in this county jail more than 100 years ago. The tour guide was wonderful.
Did you use a unique venue for a gathering?
The Dodge Riverside Golf Club meeting room provided an excellent space for the meeting portion of our retreat. Many board members and staff also took advantage of the golf course prior to the meetings.
Are there any fun activities you would recommend for groups meeting in Council Bluffs?
With the help of the Council Bluffs CVB’s Josee we were able to participate in a scavenger hunt pub crawl on the 100 block of Broadway. This was a fun way to help familiarize our board members with some of the history and amenities of Council Bluffs while also offering time for socializing and networking.
How does Council Bluffs compare to other places where you have hosted meetings?
Council Bluffs provided a great location for our meeting, but it also has a wide variety of attractions. I think Council Bluffs has something for everybody—business, personal and family outings.
Would you return/recommend Council Bluffs to other planners?
We will absolutely return, and I recommend Council Bluffs to other meeting and event planners. We received great feedback from all of my board members, their families and staff.