What We've Hosted
Des Moines, and Iowa, have been open throughout the pandemic. Lucky for you, that means we are experts in hosting safe events. Here is just a sampling of events we’ve hosted. Contact us if you need additional information about any of the events we’ve hosted, or measures taken to ensure safety at these events.
Iowa FFA Leadership Convention
Nearly 3,000 students from 231 chapters attended this two-day event at the Iowa Events Center. There were 25 different competitions, and 5,000 total attendees in April 2021.
USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals
More than 1,500 wrestlers, from all over the country, competed in October 2020.
US Custom Harvesters Annual National Meeting
In January 2021 attendees and exhibitors met downtown. Attendance numbers were similar to the 2020 show!
Iowa Ag Expo
The third largest indoor farm show was held February 2-4, 2021. They had 1827 tradeshow booths with a nice crowd of quality buyers. Some vendors were not able to attend due to travel restrictions, but in their place, almost 80 new vendors exhibited.
Tournament of Champions
Des Moines hosted three weekends of high quality basketball in July 2020. This event was relocated from Chicago and more than 350 teams attended. Mask mandates, social distancing, and attendance limits kept athletes and spectators safe in one of the earliest COVID events.
Drake Relays
Drake Stadium hosted the return of one of the top track and field events in the world, in April 2021. World class athletes, along with college and high school athletes, competed over four days. Attendance was limited, but spectators were present. This was the second event hosted at Drake Stadium, featuring the top track and field athletes. In August 2020, Drake hosted the Blue Oval Showcase, for more than 80 elite runners.
NAIA Men’s Volleyball Championships
Grandview University hosted the Championships in Apri 2021, at the Iowa Events Center.
We have hosted numerous other meetings, conventions, social gatherings, and sporting events over the last year. We also are looking forward to a summer full of action — including the Dew Tour, IRONMAN 70.3 Des Moines, National Junior High Finals Rodeo, and US Youth Soccer President’s Cup.