Logistics and Lodging
Conference Dates & Location
Lodging
Parking
Meals & Dining
PFI Minivan Parking Shuttle
Conference Dates & Location
Short Courses: Jan. 18-19, 2024
Annual Conference: Jan. 19-20, 2024
Location: Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at the Iowa Events Center | 833 5th Avenue | Des Moines, IA
Lodging
Practical Farmers has reserved blocks of rooms at two nearby hotels.
Hilton Downtown Des Moines
435 Park St., Des Moines, IA 50309
(connected via Skywalk to Iowa Events Center; 200 ft. walk to conference)
Rate: $139 + tax for single and double occupancy rooms
Triple occupancy is $154 + tax
Quadruple occupancy is $169 + tax
These rates are valid until Dec. 28, 2023, or until the block is full. Please contact Katie Aupperle at katie.aupperle@practicalfarmers.org if you need assistance confirming your rate.
Parking in the climate-controlled Hilton garage is $25 per night. See the parking section for alternative parking options.
Bar & restaurant adjacent to Iowa Events Center via skywalk
Indoor pool
Fitness center
Airport shuttle
Rates listed above will be honored for reservations three days before and after the conference.
Comfort Inn & Suites
929 3rd St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(about 1 block on foot (outdoors) from the Iowa Events Center)
Rate: $136 + tax for single and double occupancy rooms
This rate is valid until Dec. 28, 2023, or until the block is full.
Free parking on premises
Complimentary breakfast
Indoor pool
Parking
5th & Keo Garage
Best for: Overnight parking separate from the hotel parking, or for daily parkers who prefer to walk a little farther but remain inside the skywalk. Open 24/7
Distance from Iowa Event Center: 0.3 mile through the skywalk
More info: Enter the garage from 5th Avenue
Rate: $10/day (or $7 for up to 12 hours)
Iowa Events Center Surface Lots
Best for: Daily parking; a short, outside walk to the venue. No overnight parking – your car will be towed.
Distance from the Iowa Events Center: Depending on the lot and space, you’ll walk outside anywhere from 400 feet to 0.2 mile
Rate: $12/day
More info: Entrances to the larger lot (north of Crocker Street) are on 3rd Street and 5th Avenue.
Enter the smaller lot (south of Crocker Street and closer to the venue) from 5th Avenue. Accessible parking is reserved in the smaller lot (south of Crocker Street).
Comfort Inn & Suites Parking Lot
Best for: Only those staying at Comfort Inn & Suites
Distance from the Iowa Events Center: 0.2 miles (outside)
Rate: Free for hotel guests
Hilton Downtown Des Moines Garage
Best for: Those staying at the Hilton who prefer the closest overnight garage possible, with climate control. Open 24/7.
Distance from the Iowa Events Center: 200 feet in the skywalk
Rate: $25/day for hotel guests
Meals & Dining
Practical Farmers makes every effort to keep our conference affordable for all to attend while adhering to our principles of sourcing food from member farms and local producers. There are several options for nearby dining if you wish to leave the conference for meals and return afterward, but please note that no outside food is allowed in the venue.
- We strongly recommend purchasing meal tickets for each person with your registration – meal tickets may be available day-of, but they do sell out! If you have already registered and need to add meal tickets, please call the PFI office at (515) 232-5661.
- Children under 8 years old eat for free with a meal ticket-holding parent. Childcare (free this year) includes snacks and lunch.
- Snacks, coffee, tea and water will be available throughout the short courses and conference.
Friday Lunch: $20
11 a.m.-Noon
Tickets available to Exhibitors and short course attendees ONLY
Friday PFI Dinner: $15 (Sponsored by ADM re:generations)
7:30-11 p.m.
Following the Friday keynote, stick around for a cocktail hour (6:30-7:30 p.m.) and dinner in the Ballroom at the Iowa Events Center! No tickets are necessary for the cocktail hour (cash bar), but tickets are required for the dinner.
Saturday Meal Ticket: $20
(Breakfast & Lunch combo ticket)
Hearty Breakfast (Sponsored by Niman Ranch)
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Lunch
Noon-1:30 p.m.
PFI Minivan Parking Shuttle
The PFI minivan make regular trips between the north side of the Crocker Street parking lot and the Iowa Events Center during peak entry times. Flag us down for a ride!
Don’t see us and need a lift? Call the minivan shuttle cell phone: (515) 520-4332.