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MEETING<br />
CORPORATE<br />
& EVENT<br />
PLANNER
CONTENTS<br />
FEATURES<br />
8 Planning Checklist<br />
<strong>Event</strong> expert shares her tips<br />
14 More than a <strong>Meeting</strong><br />
Keep your attendees engaged<br />
20 Signature Spirits<br />
Create a memorable drink<br />
28 Calendar of <strong>Event</strong>s<br />
What to do when you visit<br />
8<br />
14<br />
20<br />
28<br />
ADVERTISERS<br />
2 National Czech & Slovak<br />
Museum & Library<br />
3 Think Iowa City<br />
5 Coralville Parks & Recreation<br />
6 Linn County Conservation<br />
7 Cedar Ridge<br />
Winery & Distillery<br />
9 City of Cedar Rapids<br />
10 Cedar Rapids Tourism<br />
11 Indian Creek Nature Center<br />
12 St. Burch Tavern<br />
13 Bankers Advertising Company<br />
15 Cedar Rapids Kernels<br />
16 Bella Sala <strong>Event</strong> Center<br />
17 BizFitters<br />
18 Cedar Rapids Marriott<br />
19 Parlor City<br />
21 Coralville Center for the<br />
Performing Arts<br />
23 FilmScene<br />
25 Blue Sky Productions<br />
25 City of Iowa City<br />
27 Coralville Marriott Hotel<br />
& Conference Center<br />
29 The History Center<br />
30 Palmer House Stable<br />
31 DoubleTree by Hilton<br />
32 Graduate Iowa City<br />
WRITERS: Angela Holmes, Jeff Holmes<br />
DESIGNER: Becky Lyons<br />
MEDIA CONSULTANT: Rhonda Roskos<br />
corridorbusiness.com<br />
4 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
Unforgettable <strong>Event</strong>s<br />
Brown Deer Golf Club<br />
1900 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, CORALVILLE<br />
BROWNDEERGOLF.ORG | 319-248-9300<br />
The Clubhouse at Brown Deer offers a unique<br />
setting for your corporate meeting or event.<br />
With stunning golf course views, this four season<br />
facility can accommodate groups of 12 in our<br />
Board Room or groups of up to 250 in our<br />
ballroom. Sound and projection can also be a<br />
part of your event. Spill out on the spacious deck<br />
or patio for event socials and networking. Enjoy<br />
a variety of casual dining options with Divots!<br />
Bar and Grill, our on site restaurant, or our food<br />
beverage partner, Marriott Hotel, can provide<br />
almost anything your event desires.<br />
To book a tour or an event,<br />
call 319-688-4000.<br />
North Ridge Pavilion<br />
2250 HOLIDAY ROAD , CORALVILLE<br />
CORALVILLE.ORG | 319-248-1750<br />
A 1,700 square foot, all season venue in a<br />
beautiful park setting. The Pavilion can seat up to<br />
100 and is equipped with a kitchen, large screen<br />
television with available HDMI and USB inputs,<br />
sound, and projector screen. Choose your own<br />
catering or meal options for the space.<br />
The Pavilion is open every Tuesday for general<br />
viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.<br />
For pricing, call 319-248-1750.
Plan Your Special <strong>Event</strong> With Us<br />
<strong>Corporate</strong> <strong>Meeting</strong>s & Retreats - Weddings & Receptions - Family Gatherings - Graduation <strong>Event</strong>s<br />
LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SQUAW CREEK PARK<br />
Red Cedar<br />
LODGE<br />
1700 BIG BLUESTEM DRIVE, MARION<br />
Air Conditioning, Full Kitchen, Gas Operated Fireplace, Dressing Rooms, Indoor Seating for 150<br />
Prairie Oak<br />
LODGE<br />
4201 BIG BLUESTEM DRIVE, MARION<br />
Air Conditioning, Full Kitchen, Wood Fireplace, Indoor Seating for 250<br />
SPECIAL WEEKDAY RATES!<br />
RESERVE TODAY > LINNCOUNTYPARKS.COM > CLICK ON FACILITIES<br />
319-892-6450 | CONSERVATION@LINNCOUNTY.ORG
Cedar Ridge<br />
Rooms with a View<br />
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery in<br />
Swisher has entered its prime season<br />
for events and celebrations.<br />
“We’re averaging about 10 events a week,<br />
ranging from 12 to 200 guests” said Ashton<br />
Johnson, Cedar Ridge’s <strong>Event</strong>s Manager.<br />
“This is always a busy time.”<br />
Cedar Ridge offers four different venues<br />
for meetings and events of all sizes.<br />
The newest addition is the Vineyard<br />
Room, which seats up to 40 guests. The<br />
space, featuring large floor-to ceiling windows<br />
overlooking the vineyards, is located<br />
right off the Tasting Room, giving the facility<br />
even more versatility.<br />
“Since the Tasting Room is where we<br />
serve our pizzas and drinks, it was only<br />
available when we were normally closed,”<br />
Johnson said. “We built the Vineyard<br />
Room to give us that smaller venue for<br />
people to use at all hours.”<br />
The Vineyard Room is available for<br />
three-hour rentals, but if an event requires<br />
a little more space, both the Vineyard and<br />
Tasting rooms can be rented together –<br />
outside of normal business hours – for<br />
four-hour blocks.<br />
The Tasting Room is available during<br />
non-business hours. It seats up to 60<br />
guests, and features a 25-foot tasting bar.<br />
In addition to the smaller rooms, Cedar<br />
Ridge also offers a 3,500-square foot<br />
<strong>Event</strong>s Center with a seating capacity of<br />
200, and includes tables, linens, and<br />
chairs that can be set up in a variety of<br />
ways. Another unique feature is also included<br />
with the space.<br />
“There are garage doors on both sides<br />
of the <strong>Event</strong>s Center,” Johnson, “so we<br />
can open it up and make it an open-air<br />
venue that gives you a great view of our<br />
vineyards and the countryside that surrounds<br />
the winery.”<br />
Tours of the winery and distillery are<br />
also available with your visit. The facility<br />
hosts about 100,000 visitors per year from<br />
near and far.<br />
Cedar Ridge offers free public Wi-Fi, as<br />
well as audio-visual equipment, screens,<br />
projectors, and microphones.<br />
But you might want to call soon to reserve<br />
a spot as recent state legislation has<br />
made Cedar Ridge an even more popular<br />
gathering space.<br />
“When the laws changed to allow us to<br />
sell our products by the glass, we became<br />
even busier,” Johnson said. “It’s been a<br />
lot of fun!” •<br />
Cedar Ridge<br />
1441 Marak Road<br />
Swisher, IA 52338<br />
www.crwine.com<br />
CONTACT:<br />
events@crwine.com<br />
(319) 857-4300<br />
EVENT CENTER: Seats up to<br />
200 people at round tables<br />
TASTING ROOM: Holds up to 60<br />
people for a cocktail party or up to<br />
44 people for a seated event<br />
VINEYARD ROOM:<br />
Seats up to 40 guests
Your Planning Checklist<br />
Emily McMahon, owner of<br />
Soirée in North Liberty.<br />
8 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019<br />
STORY ANGELA HOLMES<br />
ANGELA@CORRIDORBUSINESS.COM<br />
PHOTOS STEPHANIE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
A local event expert shares questions to ask<br />
Planning a corporate event can<br />
be overwhelming, especially<br />
if it is your first shindig. Emily<br />
McMahon, owner of Soirée in<br />
North Liberty, has more than<br />
a decade of experience in the<br />
event industry. She is also<br />
an adjunct instructor at the<br />
University of Iowa, teaching<br />
courses in the Certificate in<br />
<strong>Event</strong> Management program.<br />
Here, she shares a few<br />
questions you should ask –<br />
and answer – to ensure your<br />
event is a success.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
What are you goals and objectives for the specific meeting or<br />
event? Not every event is the same. Goals differ, as well as the<br />
audience. Determine early on what you want your attendees<br />
to experience. Refer back to the original goals, keeping your<br />
budget in mind, throughout the process.<br />
What kind of venue best suits your needs? There are two types of<br />
venues: standard and non-standard. Non-standard venues, such<br />
as a barn, may have more costs if they don’t have amenities<br />
such as tables and food. Most standard hotel ballrooms will<br />
already have tables and food – and the staff to set them up.<br />
Again, determine what best suits your audience and goals.<br />
Who is providing the food? Guests remember the food, so make<br />
sure it is high quality. Nobody wants their event remembered<br />
for the dry chicken. Some venues, like hotels, provide their own<br />
food service. Others require off-site catering. Be sure to choose<br />
a menu that fits your needs.<br />
CHECKLIST PAGE 12<br />
YOUR EVENT AT<br />
UshersFerry<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019 9
BRING YOUR<br />
NEXT MEETING<br />
HOME TO<br />
CEDAR RAPIDS<br />
DO YOU:<br />
■ Serve on an association board?<br />
■ Attend conferences/conventions?<br />
■ Plan meetings across the country?<br />
Make an impact right here at home and host your<br />
next meeting or convention in Cedar Rapids.<br />
Contact me today!<br />
Julie Stow<br />
Director of <strong>Meeting</strong>s & Conventions<br />
Cedar Rapids Tourism Office<br />
j.stow@tourismcedarrapids.com<br />
319.731.4558<br />
370 First Ave NE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401<br />
tourismcedarrapids.com<br />
10 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong>_<strong>Event</strong>_Planning_Print_Ad.indd 1<br />
4/23/19 5:07 PM
INDIAN CREEK NATURE CENTER<br />
A Natural Fit<br />
From small meetings to company<br />
retreats, the Indian Creek Nature<br />
Center in Cedar Rapids can<br />
accommodate a variety of corporate needs.<br />
According to Liz Zabel, marketing manager,<br />
that is what makes it a perfect location.<br />
“We are able to offer something for<br />
everybody,” she said. “We like to go above<br />
and beyond when it comes to our facilities.”<br />
The Nature Center has 10 different<br />
meeting areas available, highlighted by<br />
a 150- to 200-seat auditorium for more<br />
standard presentations.<br />
Although there is a catering kitchen<br />
on-site, the Nature Center welcomes<br />
groups that bring their own food, provided<br />
no Styrofoam is used in any packaging,<br />
Zabel said.<br />
The Nature Center’s setting provides<br />
clients with the option to connect with<br />
nature, especially at Amazing Space, a<br />
new building and campus that opened in<br />
September 2016.<br />
“We offer some very unique venues and<br />
opportunities both inside and outside,”<br />
Zabel said, highlighting the Bird Room as<br />
a peaceful space to take a break and relax<br />
during a meeting or conference.<br />
Amazing Space is in the process of<br />
achieving the Living Building Challenge<br />
— an environmental certification that<br />
stands above LEED as the world’s most<br />
rigorous proven building performance<br />
standard. Achieving this certification<br />
means the building is regenerative to<br />
the environment— rather than having a<br />
negative or even neutral impact, a Living<br />
Building creates a positive impact on the<br />
human and natural system it interacts with.<br />
For the past two years, the Nature Center<br />
has achieved Net Zero Energy by producing<br />
more energy than the facility uses through<br />
the use of on-site solar panels, as well as<br />
Net Zero Water by capturing and reusing<br />
all water that falls on the site.<br />
As part of its team-building activities, the<br />
Nature Center gives groups the opportunity to<br />
participate in service projects and interactive<br />
programs. Service projects can range from<br />
simple brush clearing and cleaning to more<br />
complicated tasks such as construction of<br />
a rain shelter. Interactive programs, such<br />
as GPS utilization, can be conducted at the<br />
center or at a business’ facility.<br />
With its outdoor facilities the Nature<br />
Center offers much more than just a<br />
standard space to hold a business meeting.<br />
“It’s an amazing place,” Zabel said.<br />
“Being out in nature, you can walk the<br />
trails, you’re connecting with people in a<br />
very unique way. It’s peaceful…a great way<br />
to open your mind.” •<br />
Indian Creek<br />
Nature Center<br />
5300 Otis Road SE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403<br />
www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org<br />
CONTACT: (319) 362-0664<br />
rbailey@indiancreeknaturecenter.org<br />
EVENT CENTER CAPACITY: Varies<br />
CONFERENCE ROOMS: 2<br />
CLASSROOMS: 2<br />
FEATURES /AMENITIES:<br />
String-lit outdoor patio<br />
Catering kitchen<br />
Auditorium<br />
Outdoor amphitheater<br />
Biophillic design<br />
Wi-Fi<br />
Conference technology
CHECKLIST FROM PAGE 9<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Where do you want to<br />
prioritize your dollars? Once<br />
your budget is set, determine<br />
how you want to spread out<br />
the money. Would you rather<br />
set up your own tables,<br />
freeing up more money for<br />
a higher-level menu? Do you<br />
want to pay extra for the<br />
venue’s staff to clean up the<br />
tables and take out the trash,<br />
or can you do it and put that<br />
saved money elsewhere?<br />
Is the space locked up when<br />
you leave? If your event is<br />
more than one day, find out<br />
if the space is locked up at<br />
night. If not, you may have<br />
to pack everything up and<br />
start over in the morning. Also<br />
find out if the whole floor is<br />
reserved for you and who has<br />
access to the space.<br />
The Den is a<br />
perfect spot<br />
for your next<br />
private event!<br />
Enjoy a customizable<br />
food menu, full bar<br />
and lounge in a oneof-a-kind<br />
setting at<br />
Downtown Iowa<br />
City’s premier private<br />
event space.<br />
BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT<br />
SAINTBURCHTAVERN.COM<br />
12 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
What are your technical needs? Some venues have their own audio-visual system,<br />
but many do not. You will have to contract a separate company for musts like<br />
microphones, speakers, screens and all of the components. Like dry chicken, poor<br />
sound or videos will promptly lose your audience.<br />
How will you invite everybody? In these days of social media, inviting people to an<br />
event is seemingly easier than ever before. But make sure your emails don’t end<br />
up in a junk folder or unread. Track who is opening emails or responding to social<br />
media invites. Hanging fliers around the office may be old-school, but it will also<br />
draw attention to the event.<br />
What about the décor? The atmosphere will be set as soon – if not before –<br />
attendees walk into the space. How will you make everything coordinate, including<br />
colors and centerpieces? Keep in mind your audience and the goal of the event.<br />
Will you serve alcohol? If you do, find out what type of event insurance is<br />
needed and what the venue covers. Drinks are expensive. Are you providing a<br />
complementary drink or two before the cash bar begins? Do you need to set a time<br />
to shut the bar down before the event ends?<br />
What went right? After the event, have a debriefing meeting with the decisionmakers.<br />
Also, send out a survey to the attendees. Honesty can be brutal, but it<br />
helps you improve. n<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019 13
MORE THAN A<br />
MEETING<br />
Keeping at tendees engaged throughout an event<br />
Let’s face it: <strong>Meeting</strong>s are meetings no matter the setting. It is<br />
up to organizers to not only get people to attend, but also to<br />
keep them engaged throughout the event.<br />
Emily Comer, event coordinator of Women Lead Change<br />
(WLC), is tasked with organizing five annual conferences<br />
across Iowa, including in the Corridor, Siouxland, Quad Cities,<br />
Central Iowa and Dubuque. MEETING PAGE 16<br />
STORY ANGELA HOLMES<br />
ANGELA@CORRIDORBUSINESS.COM<br />
PHOTOS CORALVILLE MARRIOTT<br />
14 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
Cedar Rapids Kernels:<br />
More than just Baseball<br />
The Cedar Rapids Kernels offers the<br />
best of all worlds at Perfect Game Field<br />
at Veterans Memorial Stadium.<br />
With its intimate setting that includes both<br />
indoor and outdoor spaces, the ballpark is<br />
the premier location to entertain employees<br />
and clients or friends and family.<br />
Let the Kernels staff plan a party suitable<br />
for a corporate meeting or a relaxing day<br />
out in the sun.<br />
“We have a conference room which<br />
can be set up with tables for 25 or as a<br />
seminar room for 50,” Andrea Brommelkamp,<br />
the Kernels’ senior director of<br />
tickets and group sales, said. “We also<br />
offer our Grand Slam Suite, which offers a<br />
great deal of versatility.”<br />
The Grand Slam Suite is the equivalency<br />
of four regular suites and offers a variety of<br />
configurations for any kind of presentation<br />
or meeting. It can accommodate up to 85<br />
people in a unique setting.<br />
“We recently had a tool company that<br />
was demonstrating a new type of table<br />
saw,” Brommelkamp said. “So, we had<br />
a woodworking demonstration right there<br />
in the suite.<br />
“The great thing about the Grand Slam<br />
Suite is that we can set up for various<br />
break-outs, and since it overlooks the field,<br />
it offers a great view,” she added. “We also<br />
offer on-site catering, including alcohol,<br />
that isn’t always available at most venues.”<br />
And if you want to move your events<br />
outside, Perfect Game Field offers several<br />
different party venue areas, including right<br />
on the field.<br />
“We have a lot of businesses that will<br />
hold outings at the park for their clients<br />
and employees,” Brommelkamp said.<br />
“They might use one of our party areas,<br />
then go out on the field and play catch<br />
or even have a softball game. And with<br />
people looking for unique places for their<br />
wedding, we’ve become a destination for<br />
those as well.”<br />
“We also offer our consistency,” she<br />
added. “I’ve been here 16 years; we offer a<br />
great deal of experience and we love what<br />
we do. It’s always a lot of fun!”<br />
Spaces fill up quickly – call Andrea<br />
Brommelkamp at (319) 896-7603 or email<br />
andrea@kernels.com today to book your<br />
group outing. •<br />
Cedar Rapids Kernels<br />
950 Rockford Road SE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404<br />
www.milb.com/cedar-rapids<br />
CONTACT: (319) 896-7603<br />
andrea@kernels.com<br />
CAPACITY: 10-1,000+<br />
AVAILABLE:<br />
Groups in the stands<br />
Miller Mezzanine<br />
Plumbers & Pipefitters Pavilion<br />
Deck #5 | Kernels Party Plaza<br />
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 125<br />
Pavilion | Kernels Diamond Suites<br />
CRAAR Grand Slam Suite<br />
Kernels Party Package<br />
Kernels Birthday Parties
“We take into consideration basic human needs<br />
for interaction,” she said. “With events that<br />
have breakout sessions, we try to intermix the<br />
programming of the day so you’re not doing<br />
multiples of the same thing in a row.”<br />
This year WLC is trying out the event<br />
and conference app, Whova, to connect<br />
participants and keep them up to date on<br />
conference activities. The third-party app builds<br />
comprehensive profiles of those registered for a<br />
conference so attendees can meet each other<br />
before the event begins. The app also hosts live<br />
chats and allows participants to ask speakers<br />
questions during sessions, among other nifty<br />
networking tools.<br />
MEETING FROM PAGE 14<br />
A cozy setting at the Coralville<br />
Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.<br />
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER<br />
Urbana-based e-commerce company Clickstop<br />
takes employee engagement to a whole other<br />
level by making a fun weekend out of an<br />
otherwise dry annual meeting.<br />
Every year since the company was founded<br />
in 2005, owners Tim and Nicole Guenther have<br />
invited full-time employees and their significant<br />
others to the Hotel Julien in Dubuque for a yearly<br />
weekend retreat, covering the cost of hotel rooms<br />
and meals. ><br />
simply unforgettable<br />
Full-service facility for up to 650 attendees<br />
bellasalaevents.com | 319.545.4255<br />
16 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
Clickstop employees and guests at Hotel<br />
Julien Dubuque. PHOTO CLICKSTOP<br />
“It gives employees a chance to interact with<br />
people they don’t know very well,” said Chief<br />
Talent Enrichment Officer Monica Steffeck.<br />
While there is time to relax and enjoy the<br />
time away from home, the company does get<br />
down to business with the annual meeting held<br />
from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.<br />
Along with poring over the businesses’ highs<br />
and lows from the previous year, new initiatives<br />
are announced. In fact, the company usually<br />
waits to make big announcements at the annual<br />
meeting, Steffeck said.<br />
To lighten up this year’s meeting held in<br />
March, some information was presented similar<br />
to a Saturday Night Live newscast.<br />
“It’s funny to laugh at coworkers rather than<br />
sit in a boring meeting,” Steffeck said.<br />
After the meeting wraps up, attendees are<br />
given a chance to explore the area before being<br />
treated to dinner and live band at the hotel on<br />
Saturday night.<br />
The retreat opens up communication<br />
between coworkers who may not have a lot of<br />
interaction with each other at the office.<br />
“We feel like we know each other better at<br />
the end of the weekend and recognize each<br />
other in the halls,” Steffeck said. n<br />
Get your SWAG on!<br />
Make Attendees Smile<br />
Send attendees home<br />
with swag that makes<br />
them feel like they got<br />
more than expected.<br />
BizFitters is a locally-owned small business.<br />
We’re your source for great promotional<br />
products that grow your brand. Ask us<br />
about setting up an online company store<br />
for your business!<br />
Build Brand Loyalty<br />
Stay connected with<br />
attendees remembering<br />
your event every time<br />
they use your swag.<br />
Create More Customers<br />
Build your following as<br />
your brand is seen by<br />
thousands of prospective<br />
customers.<br />
BizFitters<br />
Outfit Your Brand<br />
311 Third Street SE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 | info@bizfitters.com | (319) 774-1701<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019 17
MIX IT UP<br />
Here are a few creative ideas Shannon Arnold, director of<br />
event planning & operations at the Coralville Marriott Hotel<br />
& Conference Center, has arranged with groups to make<br />
events more interesting:<br />
Las Vegas Casino Night at<br />
the Coralville Marriott Hotel<br />
& Conference Center.<br />
n At a Great Gatsby-themed awards dinner, guests were encouraged to<br />
dress the part, and all food, drink and entertainment was themed to the<br />
1920s era.<br />
n A multi-day conference offered an optional yoga class one morning<br />
before the sessions began and a spin class the next morning.<br />
n The reception of one group’s Vegas casino night started in just a portion<br />
of the ballroom with food and drink and about an hour into the event,<br />
the temporary ballroom walls were opened to reveal an entire casino<br />
show floor with professional dealers on the other side of the room.<br />
n Attendees want more “experiences” when they attend meetings. If they<br />
have an opportunity to make an impact, that also goes over very well.<br />
One conference partnered with the United Way to assemble thousands<br />
of hygiene kits as one of their team building activities. ><br />
Cedar Rapids Marriott<br />
Making Your Next <strong>Event</strong> Brilliant<br />
n Total of 25,923 square feet of meeting space.<br />
n Beautiful ballroom & additional meeting space<br />
can accommodate events large and small.<br />
n Collaborate with your Sales Team using <strong>Meeting</strong>s<br />
Imagined to “re-invent” the meeting experience.<br />
n Our premier catering services and expert team<br />
offer everything you need to plan, book and<br />
execute at the highest level.<br />
n Gain easy access to our banquet team, right at<br />
your fingertips, with our Red Coat Direct service.<br />
Business travelers will enjoy the convenience of the workstations<br />
and high-speed Wi-Fi access in our rooms; and our hotel amenities,<br />
including pool, fitness center and Cedar Grille Restaurant and<br />
Lounge will serve as needed respite from a long day’s travel.<br />
1200 Collins Road NE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402<br />
800.396.2153<br />
marriott.com/cidmc<br />
18 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
Parlor City<br />
the Ideal Solution<br />
BOOK YOUR EVENT:<br />
Anniversary<br />
Award Banquet<br />
Baby / Bridal Shower<br />
Birthday<br />
Celebration of Life<br />
Class Reunion<br />
<strong>Corporate</strong> <strong>Event</strong><br />
Family Reunion<br />
Fundraiser<br />
Gift Brunch<br />
Graduation<br />
Rehearsal Dinner<br />
Retirement<br />
Wedding<br />
Long known for great food and fun in<br />
the NewBo District, Parlor City Pub &<br />
Eatery offers a host of options for businesses<br />
to hold offsite meetings, and one of<br />
them might just be ideal.<br />
For the past couple years, Parlor City has<br />
operated the Ideal Social Club. The former<br />
Ideal Theater, built in 1914 as a Czech-language<br />
silent movie theater, was purchased<br />
from Borgenson Automotive Paint by Parlor<br />
City and the Jelinek family in 2014. After<br />
three years of painstaking restoration, it reopened<br />
as an event venue in 2017.<br />
“We had a really good relationship with<br />
the paint shop,” said Steph Jelinek of Parlor<br />
City. “When they were ready to sell the<br />
Ideal building, we were ready to buy it.”<br />
The Ideal Social Hall — which is on the<br />
National Register of Historic Places — can<br />
comfortably accommodate 175 guests<br />
seated in the resorted interior, along with<br />
space on the grounds for over 200 more.<br />
“It’s a great place for just about any<br />
event,” Jelinek said. “There’s a lot of free<br />
space to configure it many different ways.”<br />
In addition, while Jelinek said that businesses<br />
are welcome to bring in any food<br />
and refreshments of their own, they can<br />
also have the event catered by Parlor City<br />
Pub & Eatery.<br />
Parlor City’s home base offers three different<br />
mostly private areas that are available<br />
for events and meetings of any kind.<br />
n The Five Seasons Room is available<br />
year round. It seats 77 people, or<br />
can be split in half to seat 40.<br />
n The Green Room is set up for 26, perfect<br />
for smaller gatherings and events<br />
n The Pavilion seats 48. It is set up<br />
to be an open-air facility in warm<br />
weather, but also is heated and has a<br />
gas fireplace for in colder weather.<br />
“We have a lot of options,” Jelinek said.<br />
“Depending on the event, we offer hourly<br />
rental rates along with a full menu of food<br />
and drink choices for all of our facilities. We<br />
just need a basic outline of what customers<br />
need and we can go from there.” •<br />
PARLOR CITY<br />
PUB & EATERY<br />
1125 Third St. SE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401<br />
www.parlorcitypub.com<br />
CONTACT: party@parlorcitypub.com<br />
(319) 247-0000<br />
FIVE SEASONS ROOM:<br />
Seating capacity – 77;<br />
drinks and apps capacity – 100<br />
PAVILION: Seating capacity – 48;<br />
drinks and apps capacity – 70<br />
GREEN ROOM: Seating capacity – 26;<br />
drinks and apps capacity – 30<br />
IDEAL SOCIAL HALL<br />
213 16th Ave. SE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401<br />
http://idealsocialhall.com<br />
CONTACT: party@parlorcitypub.com<br />
(319) 573-6310<br />
SEATING CAPACITY: 175+<br />
Additional outdoor capacity: 200+
Signature Spirits<br />
Groups, venues work together<br />
to create memorable drinks<br />
A surefire way to make an event<br />
memorable is to offer a signature drink<br />
concocted specifically for the host. ><br />
STORY ANGELA HOLMES<br />
ANGELA@CORRIDORBUSINESS.COM<br />
Clarified Mojito mixed by Jared<br />
Rodenwald at the Maikka bar at The<br />
Hotel at Kirkwood.<br />
PHOTOS BRIAN DREAGER<br />
20 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
vA<br />
Inspire. Create. Share.<br />
Whether you’re planning a business meeting or<br />
a full-scale musical, the Coralville Center for<br />
the Performing Arts is here for you!<br />
guest speakers, theatrical productions, solo<br />
recitals, social events, receptions, and more.<br />
• Beautiful 472-seat auditorium<br />
• Full-service concessions<br />
• Six spacious dressing rooms<br />
• Easy-access loading<br />
• Plentiful free parking<br />
• Complete event support<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019 21
Jared Rodenwald, lead bartender at the Maikka<br />
bar at The Hotel at Kirkwood mixes drinks.<br />
Ashley Levitt, events &<br />
social media marketing<br />
manager at the Corridor Business<br />
Journal, works with various<br />
venues to create cocktails for<br />
popular <strong>CBJ</strong> events such as<br />
Women of Influence, Forty Under<br />
40, Coolest Places to Work and<br />
Fastest Growing Companies.<br />
“A signature drink is a fun,<br />
easy way to extend recognition<br />
to your honorees or an event<br />
sponsor,” she said. “You can<br />
request a drink that is on theme<br />
with the event color, includes<br />
alcohol made by event sponsors,<br />
or even rename the drink after<br />
honorees or a sponsor.”<br />
Among Levitt’s favorite<br />
signature drinks is the “Ginger<br />
Whiskey,” also known as “The<br />
Nyemaster,” created by Jared<br />
Rodenwald, lead bartender at<br />
the Maikka bar at The Hotel<br />
at Kirkwood. The cocktail was<br />
named after Nyemaster Goode,<br />
the sponsor for the <strong>CBJ</strong>’s Fastest<br />
Growing Companies reception<br />
held in May 2015.<br />
Another favorite was “The<br />
Impact” named for Forty Under<br />
40 honorees who have made<br />
a “significant impact in their<br />
business and community early in<br />
their careers.” The combination<br />
of pear vodka, cranberry juice<br />
and a cinnamon stick was a hit<br />
and has remained in the <strong>CBJ</strong>’s<br />
event repertoire.<br />
Rodenwald often receives<br />
requests to create a signature<br />
drink, whether it be for a wedding,<br />
reunion or corporate event.<br />
He takes several things into<br />
consideration when creating a<br />
customized cocktail, including<br />
the type of business it is, the<br />
audience demographics and the<br />
theme of event.<br />
When a client requests a<br />
certain color, he keeps in mind<br />
what will mix well together. For<br />
instance, dark rum or bourbon<br />
wouldn’t be the top choice for an<br />
island blue hue.<br />
SPIRITS PAGE 24<br />
22 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
Best Yet<br />
to Come for<br />
FilmScene<br />
Already a prime location for business<br />
groups to gather, FilmScene<br />
is looking ahead to an even brighter<br />
spotlight. On Aug. 1, the nonprofit will<br />
move into the bottom two floors of the new<br />
Chauncey building in downtown Iowa City.<br />
“We are very excited about the future,”<br />
FilmScene’s Director of Operations Emily<br />
Salmonson said.<br />
FilmScene’s futuristic new home will be<br />
the “front and center” of the new high-rise<br />
building with a glass facade and will offer<br />
features that make it a destination for both<br />
entertainment and business activities.<br />
Make no mistake, FilmScene’s current<br />
facility is still a great place to meet.<br />
“Of course, we function primarily as a<br />
theater,” Salmonson said, “but we also can<br />
offer our space to companies as a unique<br />
and fun place to hold their meetings.<br />
“Our current main screen can seat 65,”<br />
she added. “We have our traditional concessions<br />
area and we also have a rooftop<br />
patio above the main theater. That is a<br />
great location for breakouts, maybe even<br />
an after-meeting happy hour.”<br />
The opportunities offered by the current<br />
facility’s location on the Ped Mall are almost<br />
limitless, she continued.<br />
“It’s a great location with things to do<br />
during lunch, or breaks between meetings,”<br />
she said. “It’s like an extension of our facility.”<br />
But while the old building has served<br />
FilmScene well, there is a lot of excitement<br />
surrounding the opening of the<br />
Chauncey building.<br />
“It’s been a little surreal,” Salmonson<br />
said. “For a long time, it’s been something<br />
we looked at through artist’s drawings and<br />
building plans, but now that it’s actually<br />
this real place we can see coming together,<br />
it’s really exciting.”<br />
The space uses materials and design<br />
elements intended to marry old and new,<br />
down to the lighting, which incorporates<br />
classic bulbs to illuminate a modern concessions<br />
area, and is used elsewhere to<br />
pay homage to the neon theater signs of<br />
the past.<br />
The two main theaters will be woodwrapped<br />
pods. The interiors of each theater<br />
will sport the company’s blue and<br />
black color scheme, and instead of the<br />
traditional lighting sconces and curtains,<br />
there will be uniquely-shaped acoustic tiles<br />
lined with LED lights. •<br />
FilmScene<br />
on the Ped Mall<br />
118 E. College St.<br />
Iowa City, IA 52240<br />
CAPACITY: SCENE 1: 65<br />
ROOFTOP: 45 LOBBY: 70<br />
at The Chauncey<br />
404 E. College St.<br />
Iowa City, IA 52240<br />
CAPACITY: THEATER 1: 120<br />
THEATER 2: 70 THEATER 3: 50<br />
www.icfilmscene.org<br />
CONTACT: (319) 358-2555<br />
emily@icfilmscene.org<br />
TYPES OF EVENTS:<br />
Private rooftop parties<br />
Private film screenings<br />
Lobby rentals for parties<br />
Rooftop happy hour<br />
Daytime theater rentals<br />
for meetings and presentations
SPIRITS FROM PAGE 22<br />
Hanky Panky at<br />
the Maikka bar<br />
at The Hotel at<br />
Kirkwood, and<br />
fresh limes for the<br />
Clarified Mojito.<br />
“You need to find a balance<br />
of what looks good and what they<br />
want,” he said.<br />
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery<br />
in Swisher also gets its share of<br />
signature drink requests from<br />
clients. The venue is required by<br />
law to only use spirits it distills in<br />
the cocktails served on-site.<br />
“So, with that in mind, our<br />
cocktails are designed to highlight<br />
our products,” said Ashton<br />
Johnson, Cedar Ridge’s events<br />
manager. “Rather than making<br />
drinks to hide the spirit’s flavors,<br />
we aim to showcase them in each<br />
unique drink.”<br />
Maikka also tries to keep it<br />
local, using products from Cedar<br />
Ridge, wines made at The Winery<br />
at Kirkwood and herbs grown<br />
in the Kirkwood greenhouse,<br />
Rodenwald said.<br />
While signature drinks aren’t<br />
a requirement for a corporate<br />
event, they do create a lot of buzz<br />
– so to speak.<br />
“Attendees definitely take<br />
notice when they see a lot of<br />
blue drinks ‘walking around’ and<br />
are curious to try it,” Levitt said.<br />
“Guests appreciate these little<br />
details, but we’ve seen a more<br />
positive response from sponsors.<br />
One company was so excited that<br />
they requested the recipe and<br />
decided to feature it at their own<br />
office gathering.” n<br />
24 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
Clarified Mojito<br />
1.5 ounces Flor de Caña Extra Seco<br />
1 ounce clarified lime juice<br />
2 white sugar cubes<br />
6-8 fresh mint leaves<br />
Soda water<br />
Add the rum, lime juice, sugar cubes and mint to the bottom of a<br />
highball glass. Use a muddler to mix liquid ingredients and press the<br />
mint. After sugar has dissolved, fill glass with ice and top with soda<br />
water. Garnish with a mint sprig.<br />
From Maikka at The Hotel at Kirkwood<br />
Bluebeard<br />
2 ounces Cedar Ridge Malted Rye Whiskey<br />
1.5 ounces blueberry cinnamon puree<br />
3/4 ounce Muscadine Shrub<br />
House-made Blueberry Ginger Beer<br />
Blueberries<br />
Mint leaves<br />
In a rocks glass, muddle 3-5 blueberries<br />
and 2-3 mint leaves. Fill cocktail shaker<br />
with ice. Add whiskey, blueberry puree<br />
and shrub. Shake well. Pour cocktail into<br />
glass and top with ginger beer. Garnish with<br />
blueberries and a mint leaf.<br />
From Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery<br />
TELL YOUR STORY<br />
Live <strong>Event</strong><br />
Production<br />
Video and Media<br />
Production<br />
Recording Studio<br />
Equipment Rental<br />
Your Audio<br />
and Video<br />
Professionals<br />
blueskypd.com<br />
blue.sky@blueskypd.com<br />
319.210.0266<br />
Ned Ashton House<br />
Riverside Festival Stage<br />
The Lodge at Terry Trueblood<br />
Recreation Area<br />
www.icgov.org/eventfacilities<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019 25
GingerWhiskey<br />
or The Nyemaster<br />
2 ounces Jim Beam bourbon<br />
1 ounce lemon juice<br />
½ ounce simple syrup<br />
Ginger ale<br />
Ginger<br />
Orange<br />
In a Collins glass, muddle ginger. Shake bourbon, lemon and<br />
simple syrup. Proceed to strain into the glass. Fill with ginger ale<br />
and then garnish with orange wedge.<br />
From Maikka at The Hotel at Kirkwood<br />
IowaMule<br />
2 ounces Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon whiskey<br />
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice<br />
Cedar Ridge House-Made Ginger Beer<br />
Lime Slices<br />
In a copper mug, fill with ice, then add whiskey. Add in lime<br />
juice, and top with ginger beer. Garnish with lime slices.<br />
From Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery<br />
Hanky Panky<br />
1.5 ounces Old Tom Ransom Gin<br />
1.5 ounces Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth<br />
2 dashes Fernet Branca Amaro<br />
Orange twist<br />
Add all liquids into mixing glass with ice and stir until<br />
chilled. Strain into chilled martini or coupe glass, garnish<br />
with an orange twist.<br />
From Maikka at The Hotel at Kirkwood<br />
26 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
Great Getting Greater<br />
CORALVILLE MARRIOTT<br />
Already a destination location for<br />
travelers, visitors and business<br />
meetings, the Coralville Marriott at<br />
the Iowa River Landing is getting even better.<br />
“We are the premier meeting place in<br />
Coralville,” said Molly Horton, the hotel’s<br />
Director of Sales. “It’s an exciting location<br />
and place to be.”<br />
The Marriott has 60,000 square feet of<br />
meeting space available with a 15,000-<br />
square-foot ballroom, a 7,200-squarefoot<br />
ballroom and a 30,000-square-foot<br />
conference center, as well as 10 breakout<br />
rooms. And the entire facility has recently<br />
undergone a facelift.<br />
“We’ve been working on a $4 million<br />
remodel of all our function space,” Horton<br />
said. “They’ve all been redone with<br />
new lighting, wall vinyls, furniture, and<br />
carpeting. We’ve used cool, neutral tones<br />
with a nod in design to the texture and<br />
patterns found in hawk feathers, water, and<br />
coral, in honor of our location in Coralville.”<br />
A large part of what makes the Marriott<br />
such a prime gathering spot is its location.<br />
“We’re right off Interstate 80 and the hub<br />
of the great, booming Iowa River Landing,”<br />
Horton said. “Right behind the hotel is the<br />
Iowa River and the Iowa Wetlands Park<br />
that has walking trails and places to just<br />
relax. There are all kinds of shops and<br />
restaurants to visit and, of course, we are<br />
right next door to the new Xtream Arena.”<br />
Xtream Arena, Coralville’s shiny new 6,000<br />
capacity sports and entertainment facility<br />
will be opening in the fall of 2020, bringing<br />
concerts, trade shows, and the possibility of<br />
minor league hockey and other sports to the<br />
south end of the Corridor.<br />
“We’re excited to have the arena right<br />
here,” Horton said. “It’s going to bring so<br />
many people to the IRL. It’s exciting to see<br />
it take shape.”<br />
Another unique feature at the Marriott is<br />
a working library.<br />
“We are honored to host the Iowa<br />
Writers’ Workshop library, the only working<br />
library housed by a hotel in the United<br />
States. This library exclusively holds works<br />
by participants in the Workshop,” Horton<br />
said. “It’s a very popular attraction and<br />
such a great thing to have right here.” •<br />
Coralville Marriott Hotel<br />
& Conference Center<br />
300 E. Ninth St.<br />
Coralville, IA 52241<br />
www.marriott.com<br />
CONTACT: (319) 688-4000<br />
TOTAL EVENT SPACE:<br />
57,588 square feet<br />
CAPACITY OF LARGEST SPACE: 4,050<br />
MAXIMUM BREAKOUT ROOMS: 20<br />
BALLROOMS: 2<br />
FEATURES/AMENITIES: Catering<br />
High-speed internet access<br />
AV equipment/technician<br />
Security guard
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU VISIT<br />
Work hard, play hard, right? If you’re planning an event in the Corridor, it’s<br />
always nice to treat your valued guests to a fun event outside the walls of your venue.<br />
These are just a few of the marquee events the Corridor has to offer.<br />
IOWA CITY JAZZ FEST<br />
JUNE<br />
5 IOWA CITY FARMERS MARKET, Chauncey Swan Ramp,<br />
415 E. Washington St., Iowa City. 5-7 p.m., icgov.org/<br />
farmersmarket. Features local handcrafted, homemade<br />
and homegrown goods and produce as well as live<br />
local music. Every Wednesday through October.<br />
8 IOWA CITY FARMERS MARKET, Chauncey Swan Ramp,<br />
415 E. Washington St., Iowa City. 7: 30 a.m.-noon,<br />
icgov.org/farmersmarket. Features local handcrafted,<br />
homemade and homegrown goods and produce as well<br />
as live local music. Every Saturday through October.<br />
15 CEDAR RAPIDS DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET,<br />
7:30 a.m.-noon, downtown Cedar Rapids,<br />
cedarrapids.org. Features more than 200 local<br />
vendors offering a variety of products.<br />
22 DOWNTOWN BLOCK PARTY, Iowa City Downtown<br />
District, thinkiowacity.com. All-ages event includes<br />
music, ping-pong tables, video game tournament,<br />
sand volleyball and more.<br />
25 BALLOON GLOW, 6-10 p.m., Sinclair Levy, 1430<br />
Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids, freedomfestival.<br />
com. Listen to live music as colorful lighted hot-air<br />
balloons are raised just before dusk.<br />
CEDAR RAPIDS BALLOON GLOW<br />
JULY<br />
3-4 CORALVILLE 4TH FEST, S.T. Morrison Park, 1513<br />
Seventh St., Coralville, coralville.org/310/4thFest.<br />
Includes a 5K run/walk, entertainment, food, a<br />
free concert, parade, free family-friendly activities<br />
and fireworks.<br />
5-7 IOWA CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL, downtown Iowa City,<br />
summerofthearts.org. Weekend filled with four<br />
stages of live jazz music, food, art vendors,<br />
children’s activities and fireworks.<br />
6 CEDAR RAPIDS DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET,<br />
7:30 a.m.-noon, downtown Cedar Rapids,<br />
cedarrapids.org. Features more than 200 local<br />
vendors offering a variety of products. Also July 20.<br />
13 NORTH LIBERTY BLUES & BBQ, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.,<br />
Centennial Park, North Liberty, northlibertyblues.<br />
org. Features live music, local barbeque vendors<br />
and beverage garden.<br />
20 ASIANFEST, McGrath Ampitheatre, 475 First St.<br />
SW, Cedar Rapids, noon-10 p.m., asianfest.org.<br />
Celebrate and recognize culture and heritage<br />
from all over Asia with local food vendors, live<br />
performances, a fashion show and more.<br />
28 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
FRY FEST<br />
AUGUST<br />
2-3 SOUL & BLUES FESTIVAL, 7:30-10 p.m.,<br />
Pentacrest, summerofthearts.org. Celebrates the<br />
music, dance, food and art of African and African-<br />
American communities.<br />
24 MARKET AFTER DARK, 6:30-11 p.m. Aug. 24,<br />
downtown Cedar Rapids, cedarrapids.org. The<br />
nighttime farmers market brings more than<br />
40,000 people downtown for food, beer, wine, art,<br />
entertainment and more.<br />
30 FRY FEST, Iowa River Landing, Coralville, fryfest.<br />
com. Kick off the University of Iowa football season<br />
with a Hawkeye tradeshow in the Coralville Marriott,<br />
concert, food vendors and beverage garden.<br />
CEDAR RAPIDS FARMERS MARKET<br />
SEPTEMBER<br />
15 FESTIVAL LATINO, McGrath Ampitheatre, 475<br />
First St. SW, Cedar Rapids, https://bit.ly/2GLji7L.<br />
Celebrates Latin American culture with live music<br />
performances, different types of food from various<br />
countries and family-friendly activities.<br />
21 CEDAR RAPIDS DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET,<br />
7:30 a.m.-noon, downtown Cedar Rapids,<br />
cedarrapids.org. Features more than 200 local<br />
vendors offering variety of products.<br />
There’s no time like the present<br />
to plan your special event at<br />
The History Center.<br />
RENTALS<br />
<strong>Meeting</strong>s | Parties | Banquets | Receptions | Weddings<br />
Great space<br />
for your events!<br />
Contact US!<br />
The History Center<br />
800 2nd Ave SE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403<br />
319.362.1501<br />
jenny@historycenter.org<br />
www.HistoryCenter.org<br />
Unforgettable<br />
experiences happen here!<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019 29
NOVEMBER<br />
NORTHSIDE OCTOBERFEST<br />
OCTOBER<br />
1-6 IOWA CITY BOOK FESTIVAL, downtown Iowa City,<br />
iowacitybookfestival.org. Organized by the Iowa<br />
City UNESCO City of Literature, the festival<br />
celebrates books and writing with readings, film<br />
screenings, panel discussions and a book fair.<br />
5 NORTHSIDE OKTOBERFEST, Market Street, Iowa<br />
City, downtowniowacity.com. Anyone can enjoy the<br />
atmosphere, food vendors and activities, though<br />
only those with tickets will be allowed the tasting<br />
glass to sample beers, ciders and wines from more<br />
than 70 booths.<br />
30 TANNENBAUM FOREST, Amana Colonies Convention<br />
& Visitors Bureau, 622 46th Ave., Amana,<br />
recurring weekly on Sunday and Saturday,<br />
amanacolonies.com. See a forest of decorated<br />
trees, nativity, 15-foot German pyramid and<br />
Santa. Continues weekends through Dec. 22.<br />
DECEMBER<br />
7-8 HOLIDAY THIEVES’ MARKET, Iowa Memorial Union, UI<br />
campus, Iowa City, fineartscouncil.uiowa.edu. Art<br />
exhibition and sale featuring more than 125 artists<br />
in painting, ceramics, photography, woodworking,<br />
drawing, metal, glass, jewelry, fiber and more.<br />
business & all life’s events<br />
PALMERHOUSESTABLE<br />
business & all life’s events<br />
Get outta town for your next event!<br />
where<br />
200 E Main Street<br />
Solon, IA 52333<br />
spaces<br />
Indoor & Outdoor<br />
Overnight Accomodations<br />
capacity<br />
10 - 300 people<br />
our specialty<br />
Concierge Customer Services<br />
Flexible <strong>Event</strong> Arrangements<br />
One Place at One Price<br />
Need help with an event?<br />
Over the past 15 years,<br />
the <strong>CBJ</strong> has held some<br />
of the region’s most<br />
popular corporate and<br />
awards-based events.<br />
Al Wells | 319.400.2908|al@palmerhousestable.com<br />
www.palmerhousestable.com<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong>’s <strong>Event</strong><br />
Services Group<br />
can help you<br />
customize an<br />
event on time<br />
and on budget.<br />
Contact Ashley Levitt at<br />
(319) 665-6397 x 311 or<br />
ashley@corridorbusiness.com<br />
30 <strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019
What A<br />
Sweet Welcome<br />
It starts with a warm chocolate chip cookie<br />
and doesn’t stop there. Sophisticated,<br />
iconic, contemporary, are all words to<br />
describe the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar<br />
Rapids Convention Complex. As the only<br />
hotel in the heart of a vibrant downtown,<br />
you will enjoy over 30 eateries as well<br />
as many area attractions within walking<br />
distance. Our 14 passenger bike has seats<br />
available to tour the hot spots!<br />
With 82,000 square feet of flexible<br />
meeting space including the U.S. Cellular<br />
Center Arena, we can easily accommodate<br />
5 to 5,000 guests. Many options include<br />
a Grand Ballroom, Convention Center, and<br />
performance arena. Our established and<br />
caring sales and catering team are happy<br />
to assist with the details.<br />
Let us be your home base in the Midwest!<br />
Encompassing a hotel, convention center<br />
and arena, all you can envision is here<br />
under one roof.<br />
350 First Avenue NE<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401<br />
T (319) 731 4444 | F (319) 731 4455<br />
CedarRapidsConventionComplex.DoubleTree.com<br />
<strong>CBJ</strong> CORPORATE MEETING & EVENT PLANNER 2019 31
More Than Just<br />
<strong>Meeting</strong> Space<br />
• Convenient downtown<br />
location<br />
• Locally inspired design<br />
• Complimentary wi-fi<br />
• Unique meeting & event<br />
spaces<br />
• Gene’s bar & restaurant<br />
• On-site café, Poindexter<br />
Coffee<br />
210 S Dubuque St • 319 337 4058 • graduatehotels.com/iowa-city • @graduateiowacity