Des Moines chosen to host Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) annual event; new Convention Center Hotel made Des Moines viable choice 

GREATER DES MOINES, IA – Greater Des Moines will host the 2018 ACCE Annual Convention, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) announced this week. The multi-day international event will take place in the summer of 2018 in Downtown Des Moines at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. The annual convention attracts around 1,000 chamber of commerce executives from around the world for interactive workshops, lectures, discussion and more. This event booking would not have been possible without the new 330-room Hilton Convention Center Hotel. 

“Our region’s many successes have exploded onto the national stage and continue to attract accolades and honors,” said Greater Des Moines Partnership CEO Jay Byers. “This announcement is a milestone in the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s efforts to promote our region, and we are thrilled to showcase the Central Iowa success story on a national stage and share ideas with chamber executives from across the country.”

“The word is out – Greater Des Moines is a premier destination for hosting national events,” said Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO & President Greg Edwards. “We will make a big splash for our national guests, and they will leave Des Moines knowing what we already know – that this is a tremendous city.” 

The 2018 event is expected to attract more than 1,000 leaders from chambers of commerce from around the globe. 

“It will be great to hold our 2018 Convention in Des Moines,” said Mick Fleming, CEO of ACCE. “The new Convention Center Hotel was one key factor, but so was the buzz we experienced during site visits. We were attracted to Des Moines for many reasons. The Greater Des Moines Partnership's impressive leadership in regional economic and community development will be inspirational and instructive for our gang." 

Fleming went on to praise the government relations and business support, as well as public/private partnerships, demonstrated within the region. 

"It is a laboratory of best practices for chambers and regional development entities – valuable for every attendee," he said. “I am very pleased that the ACCE National Convention is the first major event booked as a result of our new Convention Center Hotel,” said Gerard D. Neugent, President & CEO at Knapp Properties and chair of the Iowa Events Center Hotel Corporation board. “This is a huge win for us, for Polk County, the City of Des Moines and the region overall. We look forward to showcasing our metro to an influential group of business leaders from around the world.” 

More details about times and locations will be announced in coming months. 

Recent and future ACCE Annual Convention host cities: 
2012: Louisville, KY 
2013: Oklahoma City, OK 
2014: Cincinnati, OH 
2015: Montréal, Canada 
2016: Savannah, GA 
2017: Nashville, TN 
2018: Des Moines, IA 

About the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau 
The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, the parent organization of the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to market the region as a visitor destination increasing economic growth and enhancing the visitor experience. The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission represent the following municipalities: Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Perry, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Polk County, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights. 

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership 
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization serving Central Iowa, united to drive economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Together with 21 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce and 5,700 business members, the Partnership grows opportunity, creates jobs and promotes Greater Des Moines as the best place to build a business, career and future. 

About ACCE 
Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association uniquely serving the professional development needs of individuals who manage chambers of commerce throughout the U.S. and several other countries. Representing 7,500 chamber professionals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staffs through education, publications, research, benchmarking, and best practices. For more information visit www.acce.org.