Downtown Des Moines will play host to more than 8,500 event attendees next week as it welcomes the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 5, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the Iowa Pork Congress. The two events are expected to combine to generate more than $4 million in economic impact for the metro.

WHAT:

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 5 - In addition to performances showcasing the outstanding work of Region 5 (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota), this Festival features a wide range of professional development opportunities in all areas of theater.

WHERE:

This event will be held across downtown Des Moines at Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines Civic Center, Temple for Performing Arts and the Kum&Go Theater at the Des Moines Social Club.

WHEN:

January 21- January 26, 2018

WHO:

The event is expected to bring 1,500 college theater students from across the region.

WHAT:

Iowa Pork Congress - North America's largest winter swine tradeshow and conference will feature nine new seminars, a keynote address, 300 exhibitors, training sessions, social events and youth activities.

WHERE:

This event will be held at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines.

WHEN:

January 24- January 25, 2018

WHO:

The event is expected to bring 7,000 attendees from companies around the world that serve the pork industry.

CONTACTS:

Greg Edwards, President & CEO of Catch Des Moines,greg@catchdesmoines.com (515) -699-3438

Brad Dell, Festival Chair at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 5, bradedell@gmail.com, (724) 787-7639

Ron Birkenholz, Communications Director at Iowa Pork Producers Association, rbirkenholz@iowapork.org