Planner Toolkit


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Why select Des Moines to host your convention or event? The answer is simple. Greater Des Moines is affordable, easy, and surprisingly cool. We’re a city that offers planners the food, culture, and facilities they are looking for without the long lines, traffic and big price tag. Des Moines is safe, clean and walkable. We’re easy to get to and easy to get around. We encourage you to see why hundreds of planners select Des Moines each year. Here are 10 quick Des Moines facts that may surprise you: 

  • The capital city of Iowa – home to more than 600,000 people
  • Located at the intersections of Interstate 80 and Interstate 35
  • Downtown Des Moines is 4 miles from the Des Moines International Airport
  • Des Moines International Airport offers direct flights from 22 destinations, 90 daily flights, and more than 8,600 daily seats
  • 13,000+ hotel rooms, 5,000 largest block
  • Third largest international insurance center in the world with major corporate headquarters including Principal Financial and Wells Fargo
  • 4-mile, climate controlled downtown skywalk system open 24/7 that connects hotels, restaurants, shopping, and meeting facilities
  • 1,000+ locally-owned restaurants featuring James Beard Nominated chefs and As Seen on TV destinations
  • 148 pieces of public art including a 4.4 acre, the 28-piece sculpture park in the heart of downtown valued at more than $40 million
  • 800+ miles of biking and running trails

Our knowledgeable team has decades of industry experience and can help you every step of the way. Greater Des Moines offers an abundance of volunteer and team building opportunities, as well as unique off-site venues and activities. Pair our state-of-the-art facilities and first-class hospitality with our award-winning restaurants and family-friendly attractions and you will catch the best meeting you’ve ever had in Greater Des Moines.

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