The National Square Dance Convention has selected Greater Des Moines as their host city in June 2016. The group will bring approximately 6,000 square dancers to the city for four nights, for an estimated 8,000 room nights.

Representatives from the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau (GDMCVB), Des Moines City Councilman Chris Coleman (Chair of the GDMCVB Board), Global Spectrum staff (Iowa Events Center) and local square dance enthusiasts all traveled to Spokane, WA to make the bid presentation to the site selection committee late last week. A video from Governor Branstad (a former square dancer) also helped lure the group to Greater Des Moines.

“A booking like this is a win for our entire region,” said Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the GDMCVB. “This is an upbeat, passionate group that will be highly visible throughout the Metro during their stay here.”

Vicki Comegys, Vice President of Sales and Services at the GDMCVB, and Margie Marble, Director of Sales at the GDMCVB began taking reservations for the square dancers Saturday night. “By the time we shut down our booth, we had already received 397 reservations for 2016,” said Comegys. “This group couldn’t be happier about the site selection committee’s choice and we couldn’t be happier to welcome them to Greater Des Moines.”