Several meeting and convention facilities serve Des Moines. Opened in 1985, the Des Moines Convention Center offers the Polk County Convention Complex and the new Hy-Vee Hall, opened in 2004. Two levels furnish space for trade shows, conventions, meetings, banquets, and other activities at the Polk County Convention Complex, including a 47,000-square-foot exhibit hall with up to 27 meeting rooms. The new Hy-Vee Hall offers 100,000 square feet of expo hall space, up to 150,000 square feet of contiguous expo space, 14,000 square feet of meeting room space, and 23,700 square feet of pre-function space. Also part of the Des Moines Convention Center complex, Veterans Memorial Auditorium provides seating for 7,200 to 14,000 people; a total of 98,000 square feet of space can be used for exhibitions, sporting events, and entertainment. Two other principal meeting places in the city are the Civic Center, located downtown, and the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Area hotels and motels maintain banquet and meeting facilities for large and small groups. Nearly 9,000 rooms (1,500 of them downtown) in 82 hotels and motels are available for lodging in metropolitan Des Moines.
Convention Information: Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, 405 Sixth Avenue, Suite 201, Des Moines, IA 50309; toll-free (800)451-2625; email info@desmoinescvb.com