Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1537157
20 B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com mobile ordering apps make group dining coordination more manageable, while many restaurants in the area offer prix fixe menus for business travelers. Columbus Metropolitan Airport (CSG) is less than 15 min- utes away, with interstate access providing easy arrivals for drive-in groups. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is also within a 90-minute radius, offering expanded airlift options. Local transportation is supported by rideshare, hotel shuttles, and organized motorcoach services available for large groups. Free and metered parking options through- out downtown ease logistics for multi-day events. Attendees will especially appreciate the RiverWalk's acces- sibility and the nearby attractions that make breaks and evenings feel intentional. Group-friendly dining, breweries, and local cafés cluster downtown, while the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and the National Civil War Naval Museum offer interactive off-site experiences. Planners seeking culturally relevant add-ons will find depth in the city's African-American heritage. The Black Heritage Trail charts more than 30 sites, from historic churches to performing arts venues, including the Liberty Theatre and First African Baptist Church. Sites tied to Black education and civil rights also appear throughout the route. Local dining favorites such as The Black Cow round out the experience with Southern menus rooted in community. WHO YOU GONNA CALL Visit Columbus GA – (706) 322 1613 columbusga.org/meetings DES MOINES, IA Des Moines has quietly emerged as one of the Midwest's most efficient meeting hubs, offering planners big city infra- structure without the congestion. The Iowa Events Center, located downtown, anchors the city's meetings landscape with over 226,000 square feet of space across three facilities: Hy-Vee Hall, Wells Fargo Arena, and the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. The skywalk connected complex offers over 37 meeting rooms, expansive exhibit space, and a 17,000 seat arena ideal for large scale sessions and national conferences. Each venue within the Events Center supports a range of formats, from breakout meetings to expos and galas, with mod- ular room configurations and upgraded AV systems. Planners also benefit from a seasoned in-house event team familiar with high volume logistics and multi track programming. The lay- out is especially well suited for associations and regional groups that need flexibility without compromising professionalism. Three major hotels are directly connected to the Events Center via indoor skywalk: the Hilton Des Moines Downtown, with over 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 330 guest rooms; the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel, a historic property with contemporary upgrades and nearly 10,000 square feet of event space; and the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, which boasts over 25,000 square feet of meeting space and more than 400 rooms. Their proximity allows planners to streamline logistics while offering attendees modern amenities in a centralized zone. Des Moines International Airport is just five miles away, with nonstop flights to major hubs and a quick rideshare commute downtown. Walkability is a strength. Over 50 restaurants, cultural institutions, and shops line the down- town core, many within a 10 minute radius of the convention campus. Popular for receptions and evening events, Cowles Commons and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park offer group friendly open air settings framed by art and modern land- scaping. After hours, the city's African-American history comes into view. The Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center honors the first African-American officers trained for com- bat during World War I, as well as the history of Black women in military service. This site serves not only as a museum but as a cultural anchor for local equity education. The nearby Forest Avenue Library and Evelyn K. Davis Park are also significant touchpoints within the Black community. Planners can arrange off-site events at the Des Moines Art Center or the historic Hoyt Sherman Place, both known for supporting diversity in the arts. Local cuisine ranges from upscale to soul food, with options like Joppa Experience and Strudl Haus offering group dining with distinctive menus. For those building CSR into their meeting framework, nearby urban farms and Black- owned businesses are increasingly collaborating with the city's events industry. WHO YOU GONNA CALL Catch Des Moines – ( 515) 286-2625 catchdesmoines.com/meetings IOWA EVENT CENTER