Named Iowa’s Tourism Community of the Year 2007! Council Bluffs can host conventions and meetings for up to 2,000 delegates. Our convenient location on the western side of Iowa, just off I-80 & I-29 and minutes from Omaha, Nebraska and Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, make us the premier Mid-West Convention Destination. Our city features more than 20 museum and historical sites, and Iowa’s Loess Hills Scenic Byway.



In addition, we are extremely excited about our new state-of-the-art convention center complex, the Mid-America Center. The Mid-America Center features a 7,500 seat, multi-purpose arena, a 25,000-square foot multi-use exhibition hall and 44,000-square foot conference facility with a flexible floor plan. As an added bonus, all of the meeting space is smoke-free and the center features over 2000 free parking spots!

Within walking distance of the Mid-America Center are two large-chain hotels, the charming 133- room Country Inn & Suites Hotel and the brand new 151-room Marriott Springhill Suites, opening in spring of 2007. Both hotels feature a wide variety of first-class amenities including free high-speed Internet, free deluxe breakfast and much more! This November we opened the doors to a 130,000 square foot Bass Pro Outdoor World and The Plaza, an outdoor, upscale mall with restaurants and shops also located next to the Mid-America Center. Additionally, Bluffs Run Casino just completed an $85 million renovation and was unveiled as a Binion’s Horseshoe Casino. As you can see there are many exciting things happening in Council Bluffs right now, with much more coming soon!

The Convention & Visitors Bureau staff is pleased to offer complimentary name badges, registration assistance and promotional items. We would like to have the opportunity to show you “Life on the Edge” and would be committed to make your event a memorable success.

Community Highlights:
No matter the season, we have just the right the activity for your attendees. Winter: Winterfest celebrations abound: Winter Wonderland of Lights, Holidays on the Trail, Festival of Trees at the Mid-America Center, Christmas at the Dodge House, $25,000 Ice Fishing Derby, Winterfest Frozen Golf Tournament, River City-Hunting & Fishing Expo, Downhill Skiing, and more! Also enjoy Lancer Hockey at the Mid-America Center. Spring: Veteran’s celebration in Bayliss Park and at the Veteran’s Memorial, the Spring Chanticleer Theatre line-up, and May features Celebrate Council Bluffs, a week-long event featuring a parade, many festivals and an exciting carnival. Summer: Westfair, Summer Art Series, Hot Air Balloon Lift, Westfair Amphitheatre Summer Concerts and Ribfest at the Mid-America Center. Fall: Monarch Tagging at the Hitchcock Nature Center, Callahan Arts & Crafts Show, Treat Street at the Mid-America Center, Spooky Nights at the Western Historic Trails Center, Jaycee’s Main Street Dance, Loess Hills Fall Foliage, Autumn in the Bluffs Festival.

Area Attractions:
Here on the Edge there’s something for everyone. Gamers will thrill at the Ameristar Casino Hotel, Jack Binion's Horseshoe Casino, Bluffs Run Greyhound Park, and Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel. Hikers can explore miles of trails with scenic overlooks and interesting trail markers. History buffs will be fascinated at the General Dodge House, Squirrel Cage Jail and RailsWest Railroad Museum. The arts are alive in Council Bluffs, with a variety of theater and performing arts groups. Public art and culture can be found at the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial “Black Angel,” brand-new Bayliss Park Fountain, original Grant Wood painting, and the Southwest Iowa Performing Arts Center. Explore the outdoors at Lake Manawa State Park, Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Hitchcock Nature Area (Loess Hills retreat), Council Bluffs Recreation Complex, Katelman Water Park and Big Lake Park. Nearby are Omaha’s Old Market, Henry Doorly Zoo, Rosenblatt Stadium, Joslyn Art Museum, Durham Western Heritage Museum and Walnut — Iowa’s Antique City. After one visit, your delegates will know they’ve experienced fun in Iowa’s Leading Edge city.