EMC Expo Center

EMC Expo Center
Address	730 3rd Street
Location	Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates	41°35′33.6″N 93°37′16.1″W
Owner	Polk County
Operator	Spectra Venue Management
Built	2002–2004
Opened	2004
Theatre seating	17,000
Enclosed space
• Total space	14,400 sq ft (1,340 m^2)
• Ballroom	96,120 sq ft (8,930 m^2)
Public transit access	DART
Website
iowaeventscenter.com

EMC Expo Center is a convention center located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The convention center is a part of the Iowa Events Center.

History

Hy-Vee Hall (2004–2024)

Locally-based Midwest grocer chain Hy-Vee acquired the naming rights in a 20-year deal finalized in 2001.[1]

While still incomplete, Hy-Vee Hall hosted its first event, the Autumn Festival, from October 21 through October 23, 2004. It was formally dedicated on December 15, 2004,[2] while the Iowa Hall of Pride opened to the public on February 23, 2005.[3]

EMC Expo Center (2025–)

On November 18, 2024, the Polk County Board of Supervisors announced that Hy-Vee had opted not to renew the naming rights agreement and that local insurance provider EMC Insurance had been awarded the naming rights.[4] The Board of Supervisors will vote on the name change on November 19, 2024, and the venue will officially be renamed the "EMC Expo Center" on January 1, 2025. The new naming rights agreement will last 10 years.

Convention hall

The convention center features 100,000 square feet (9,000 m^2) of space for trade shows, conventions, and other major events; with the connected Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, the Hall offers 150,000 square feet of continuous space. It also features eight meeting rooms with a total of 15,000 square feet (1,400 m^2) of meeting space.[5] The south end of Hy-Vee Hall houses the Iowa Hall of Pride, which honors the achievements of Iowa high school athletes and performers. Surprisingly enough, Hy-Vee Hall is considered "Iowa's largest ballroom" with a capacity of up to 17,000.[6]

Notable events

In 2008, Hy-Vee Hall hosted then-Senator Barack Obama's victory speech following the Iowa caucuses.[7]

References

1. "Hy-Vee to be title sponsor of Iowa Events Center hall". 25 April 2001.
2. Owens, Elizabeth (2004-12-19). "Open house showcases new building". The Des Moines Register. p. 4B.
3. Morain, Erin (2005-02-20). "Iowa Hall of Pride opens as sports fans fill Greater Des Moines". Des Moines Business Record.
4. Polk County Board of Supervisors (November 18, 2024). "HY-VEE HALL TO BE RENAMED EMC EXPO CENTER ON JANUARY 1". Polk County Iowa.
5. Global Spectrum. "Iowa Events Center - About Facilities". Archived from the original on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
6. Hy-Vee Hall at Iowa Events Center
7. Time

External links

• Official site