89th Grand Lodge Convention Des Moines - A Blue Ribbon Experience June 12 - 16, 2011, Des Moines, Iowa Hosted by Des Moines Drove No. 25 Iowa Headquarters will be the Des Moines Marriot Downtown. Click a below link to go that section: Des Moines, IA Convention Tours Convention Headquarters Convention Hotels and Accommodations Transportation RV Parking and Accommodations Click Here for the PDF version of the 2011 Convention Pre-Registration Form. In order to view PDF files you need Adobe reader found here for free:  Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines, IA In Greater Des Moines, you can DO MORE. Our affordable, centrally-located, safe, friendly city allows you to DO MORE for less. We hope you learn that while you're here, you really can Do More in Des Moines. Whether you're here for a convention, business gathering, vacation or you live here all year-round, we are here to help you find the most up-to-date information on the numerous events and festivals in the area. If you love the holidays, check out some of the holiday lights tours. If you're a sports buff, check out the local NBA Development League team, the Iowa Energy. If you're a history fanatic, schedule a tour of the Iowa Capitol building and experience a truly impressive landmark. Downtown Des Moines Downtown Des Moines has been rejuvenated in the past few years as the city has undergone a $2.2 billion renaissance. With more cultural offerings than ever before, including festivals, restaurants and shops, as well as a new Principal Riverwalk, more people are seeking out things to do in downtown's historic neighborhoods. Indoor events are also held at venues across the downtown area. The Iowa Events Center, made up of Hy-Vee Hall, Veterans Memorial Auditorium and Wells Fargo Arena are well-suited for conventions, trade shows, sports and entertainment. The Polk County Convention Complex is conveniently located on the skywalk and is steps away from Hy-Vee Hall. The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, in the heart of downtown, is an ideal space for meetings, entertainment, luncheons and receptions. You can Do More in this vibrant and urban area. It boasts exciting nightlife and restaurants of almost every flavor. There's always something to do or see. Shop New developments and old favorites make Greater Des Moines a unique shopping destination you'll keep coming back to. Explore boutiques, specialty shops, malls and retail stores across the Metro. Dine Think we only serve Iowa chops and corn here? Think again. We have an array of restaurants – over 850! – to choose from. Everything from Thai to fresh sushi to authentic Mexican cuisine. Play Experience Greater Des Moines' great attractions - Prairie Meadow Racetrack and Casino, Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Dome Theater, Adventureland and Adventure Bay (Iowa's newest water park opening June 2010) and so much more! Watch From live theater to concerts to opera - including Broadway productions - our cultural sensations will have you calling for an encore. Socialize From neighborhood hangouts to upscale wine bars, Greater Des Moines offers all the nightlife you'd expect of a hip, cosmopolitan city. Dance clubs, sports bars and piano bars can all be found within the Metro. See Greater Des Moines boasts a vibrant arts scene and a collection of cultural events that invite you to explore their creative side. See the new John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, located in Western Gateway Park, as well as the golden-domed Iowa State Capitol. Find all the information you need throughout at our website or call the GDMCVB at (800) 451-2625. Helpful Links for Your Stay in Des Moines Greater Des Moines www.seedesmoines.com Calendar of Events www.seedesmoines.com/calendar/calendar.php Free Time Activities www.seedesmoines.com/planners/free_time_activities.php 100 Things to See and Do www.seedesmoines.com/100/100.php Maps www.seedesmoines.com/get_around/maps.php Parking Information www.seedesmoines.com/get_around/parking.php Discount Coupons www.seedesmoines.com/home/coupons.php Restaurant Guide www.seedesmoines.com/do_more/dining.php Camping and RV Parking www.seedesmoines.com/do_more/outdoor_fun.php#_21 Downtown Shuttle – D’Line www.seedesmoines.com/get_around/d-line_downtown_shuttle.php       Return to top of page Des Moines 2011 Convention Tours **TOUR REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1, 2011** Historic Valley Junction/Jasper Winery Friday, June 10 - $34 Minimum: 40 Passengers Join us for a day of fun, as your Convention adventures begin, with a tour that includes Historic Valley Junction and the Jasper Winery. We start in the morning with shopping and dining in Historic Valley Junction. It is the original town of West Des Moines. It has an old, small town feel with quaint shops and restaurants. We spend the afternoon at the Jasper Winery with a tour and wine tasting. You finish the afternoon relaxing in the comfortable café area or on the outdoor patio sipping a glass of wine and enjoying some snacks. Historic Valley Junction To get a true feeling for Valley Junction as it is today, one needs to understand the spirit of the early residents whose vision and unique character left a lasting impression on the area. It all began in 1846, when James C. Jordan, Valley Junction's first settler, pitched a tent between two oak trees on the western side of the Des Moines border. An individualist with a strong sense of moral values, Jordan eventually built a house on the site which later became a stop on the "Underground Railroad". Jordan was also active politically, serving as a county supervisor, and both a state senator and representative. Valley Junction itself experienced a major economic boom between 1891-1896. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad moved its East Des Moines roundhouse, switching yards and repair shops to this area which until then had primarily been a community of coal miners. With the news of the railroad's move into the area, several area businessmen formed the Hawkeye Investment Company and purchased 40 acres of land east of 8th Street and a "downtown" was born. By 1893, Valley Junction bustled with horse-drawn traffic, a trolley line, eight-foot-wide wooden sidewalks, and dirt streets lined with three banks, three drug stores and several "boarding houses" of questionable character. The railroad had made Valley Junction a popular stop where 26 passenger trains arrived and departed daily. As the boom continued and new citizens arrived, the community added many houses, two new schools, four organized churches, and a newspaper. Today, the charming past is still thriving in Valley Junction. Visitors can enjoy more than 150 specialty stores, art galleries, fashion boutiques, restaurants and antique shops, each with a unique historic character. Shop From treasures to trinkets, shopping in Valley Junction is an Iowa experience not to be missed. It all started back in the late 1800's when curious shoppers walked the wooden sidewalks to see what local merchants were offering in this new shopping neighborhood. Today, after many changes and facelifts over the 100+ years, shopping in Valley Junction offers the friendly atmosphere of neighborhood shops highlighted by unique stores found only in the Fifth Street area of West Des Moines. The shops featuring art galleries, antiques, clothing & specialty boutiques, elegant glassware, custom furniture, one of a kind jewelry, and even treats for your dog make shopping Valley Junction a fascinating experience for shoppers of any age. Dine Where should we eat? Hungry visitors to Valley Junction know their taste buds will be satisfied with any of the fabulous restaurants and eateries in the area. The cuisine is wide ranging from award-winning pizza to Asian food with a special flair, or delicious deli sandwiches. No one will leave hungry or thirsty. On cold winter days, you can warm yourself with a tasty cappuccino or enjoy a refreshing treat at the old fashioned soda fountain on a hot Iowa summer day. Re-energize your afternoon shopping with a visit to one of our shops specializing in cookies, candies, or fudge. A tasty trip to Valley Junction is a definite must for all visitors! www.valleyjunction.com Jasper Winery Tour Located just minutes from Downtown Des Moines, Jasper Winery is an “Estate Style” Winery Facility in the heart of the Metro Area. We specialize in premium quality wines using grapes sourced from vineyards throughout Central Iowa. Company History Being avid gardeners and enjoying all aspects of “the good life,” Jean and Paul Groben first planted grape vines in the year 2000. Described as “a hobby that went astray,” they continued to plant vines at their property located outside of Newton. In 2003, their son, Mason, graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a degree in viticulture and enology (grape growing and wine science). For reasons still unknown, a family business was formed. Later that year, grapes were first pressed, wines was bottled, and the fledgling operation was up and running. The winery first operated in a renovated warehouse building near downtown Newton. This was a perfect location for the small winery, and a tasting room was added to allow visitors to come and sample the wines. Over the next several years, the winery grew and began to gain a reputation of producing excellent quality wines. They were fortunate to receive positive reviews in such publications as The New York Times and Wine Spectator. In 2007, it became apparent that the winery operation had outgrown its Newton location and needed to expand into a larger building. The Groben family was intrigued by the recent resurgence in downtown Des Moines. Therefore, they located a property near Grays Lake and began construction on the new winery building in fall 2007. The Des Moines winery opened summer of 2008. Tasting Room A visit to our tasting room is the perfect opportunity to sample the full selection of Jasper wines. Besides the wines, cheese and other wine related items are available. Additionally, there is a comfortable café area where visitors can sit and enjoy a glass of wine. There is a large outdoor patio as well as an indoor/outdoor fireplace. The winery exterior was designed to integrate the building’s immediate surroundings of gardens and vineyards with a modern and urban style of architecture. Inside the tasting room, views into the production area and barrel room give visitors an up-close experience into the world of winemaking. At Jasper Winery, we strive to produce world-class wines using Iowa grown grapes. This can be a difficult task, and requires substantial innovation in terms of grape variety selection, vineyard practices, and wine production techniques. www.jasperwinery.com     Return to top of page Des Moines Farmers Market/Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino Saturday, June 11 - $34 Minimum: 40 Passengers Join us for a day of great beginnings and big winnings on our tour to the Des Moines Farmers Market and Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Let your senses come alive as we start the day at the Des Moines Farmers Market. We will get to taste, smell, see, hear, and even buy all of what makes Iowa amazing. It is a time you won’t soon forget! In the afternoon, we head to Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino for an afternoon of FUN and hopefully BIG winnings. Enjoy all the Casino has to offer and you might just walk out a MILLIONAIRE! Des Moines Farmers Market The Downtown Farmers' Market is open rain or shine every Saturday, May 1 through October 30, 2010. As the beautiful weather arrives you will find the delicious taste of farm fresh food picked just for you, at the Downtown Farmers Market. Support local agriculture and buy direct from Iowa farmers while shopping the Downtown Farmers Market. The Downtown Farmers Market presents Iowa producers from 51 counties across Iowa, offering fresh fruit, vegetables and so much more. You’ll find fresh herbs, beautiful flowers, farm fresh eggs, three local wineries, a delicious assortment of goat cheese, an endless selection of baked goods, and many varieties of Iowa raised meat such as beef, pork, chicken, lamb, elk, buffalo, ostrich, . Come for the freshness and stay for the fun at the Downtown Farmers Market! Buy Fresh Buy Local The Downtown Farmers' Market is committed to supporting Iowa growers, that’s why we’ve partnered with the Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign. For 35 years the Downtown Farmers’ Market has been a major direct marketing source for hundreds of Iowa growers and family farms around the state that raise locally produced meat & poultry, cheese, eggs, honey, produce, wine, flowers and other specialty crops. www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino Casino Take a spin on the loosest slots in the state, double down on a thrilling game of blackjack, try your hand at the craps or roulette tables, or ante up at our smoke-free poker room! You'll soon see why Prairie Meadows has been selected as Iowa's "Attraction of the Year" Racing Experience the heart-pounding thrills of live Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and harness racing every April through October. Whether you're an experienced handicapper or a first-time bettor, we're the place to be to witness all the pageantry of "The Sport of Kings." www.prairiemeadows.com   Return to top of page BPO Does National Heritage Center Tour 1 - Omaha, NE Friday, June 17 - $46 Minimum: 40 Passengers OR BPO Does National Heritage Center Tour 2 – Omaha, NE/Horseshoe Casino – Council Bluffs, IA Friday, June 17 - $54 Minimum: 40 Passengers     This is a must for ALL DOES!! You can choose from one of two tours to the BPO Does National Heritage Center in Omaha, NE. Heritage Center Tour 1: We will spend the morning, exploring the place that commemorates and signifies all the hard work and monies that have gone it to this beautiful tribute to the Benevolent Patriotic Order of Does. After enjoying our visit to the Heritage Center, then we are off to Elks Lodge #39 for lunch hosted by Omaha Does Drove No. 1. With our bellies full from an amazing lunch, we are sure to have fond memories and sweet dreams on our return trip to Des Moines. Heritage Center Tour 2: Enjoy the same exciting tour of the Heritage Center and lunch with Omaha Does Drove No. 1 but then we stop at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, IA before returning to Des Moines. www.bpodoes.org   Horseshoe Casino – Council Bluffs, IA Horseshoe Council Bluffs, formerly Bluffs Run Casino, is the largest casino in all of Iowa. The Horseshoe opened in March of 2006 after an $86 million dollar renovation and expansion. It is now the Omaha-Council Bluffs market's only land-based, full service casino, bringing in a new era of gaming to the Midwest. With roughly 100,000 square feet of gambling space on a single level - and a host of amenities located immediately adjacent to the gaming floor - the renamed Horseshoe Council Bluffs brought a new level of casino gaming experience to the market. Combining the most popular tables and slots with live greyhound racing and simulcast thoroughbred racing, Horseshoe Council Bluffs offers the broadest array of wagering options in the region. As one of the Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. family of casinos, Horseshoe Council Bluffs features the award-winning Total Rewards® player loyalty program. Widely recognized as the industry leader, Total Rewards allows customers to earn comps and perks at Horseshoe Council Bluffs and redeem them at other Harrah's-owned casinos across the country, including premier gaming markets such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe and New Orleans. In addition to its gaming prowess, the Horseshoe name is known for providing excellent dining options and exciting entertainment. Horseshoe Council Bluffs holds to that model, offering a 400-seat buffet featuring live-action food stations with cuisine from around the globe; a 140-seat Jack Binion's Steak House with a private dining area; JB's Cafe, an 80-seat venue featuring colossal sandwiches, salads and desserts; and the 300-seat Whiskey Roadhouse bar and entertainment venue that can be expanded to 500 seats for special events. www.horseshoecouncilbluffs.com   Return to top of page Convention Headquarters Convention Headquarters - Polk County Convention Center - Des Moines, Iowa Polk County Convention Center 501 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50309-2406 (515) 242-2507 Designed to deliver an excellent experience for planners, exhibitors and attendees, the Polk County Convention Complex opened in 1985 as Iowa’s premier convention center. Architecturally dramatic and adaptable, the Plex was judged the best Iowa building of the decade. Connected on a climate-controlled four-mile skywalk system, the Plex provides direct access to hotels, shopping and parking while keeping attendees “under one roof”. With 60,000 s.f. on two levels, the Plex offers up to 47,000 s.f. of clear-span space, 27 meeting rooms, spacious registration lobbies and planner offices. Hi-speed Internet, extensive catering services and covered loading docks are just some of the amenities planners appreciate. From political debates to national conventions, sporting events to Antiques Roadshow, the Plex has earned a national reputation for quality service and attention to detail. As part of the Iowa Events Center, the Polk County Convention Complex will continue its strong tradition of meeting excellence for years to come. Convention Hotel & Accommodations **Reservations can be made after July 5, 2010** Des Moines Marriot Downtown 700 Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50309 USA Phone: 1-515-245-5500 Toll-free: 1-800-514-4681 General Information Check In / Check Out Times Check in is at 4:00 PM. Check out time is 12:00 PM.   Parking Valet Parking - $15/day Off-Site Parking - $1.50/hour or $13/day, FREE on weekends.   Hotel Shuttle Free to and from the airport. Shuttle hours are 5 AM – 11 PM.   Advance Reservations OCCUPANCY: Single, Double, Triple, or Quad - $120.00plus tax   Guest Room Information (may vary by room type) Services General Room Amenities Bathroom Amenities Air conditioning Bathrobe Alarm clock Hair Dryer Bottled water, for a fee Coffee maker/tea service Crib Individual climate control Iron and ironing board Luxurious bedding - down comforters, custom duvets, cotton-rich linens Pillows: down/feather, foam Rollaway bed       Services       Complimentary Service Business Amenities Complimentary Service Electrical outlet: desk level Coffee/tea in-room Phone feature: cordless, speakerphone, Phone calls: toll-free voicemail       Guest Services Restaurants & Lounges Concierge desk Rock River Grill & Tavern Room service, 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM American Safe deposit boxes, front desk Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Indulge all of your senses with a distinctive dining experience featuring an innovative menu of American Grill cuisine.       Recreation Fitness Facilities Swimming Pool Health Club Whirlpool High-speed Internet access   www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dsmia-des-moines-marriott-downtown   Return to top of page Convention Transportation / Shuttle - Taxi Services   The Des Moines Marriott Downtown offers a complimentary airport shuttle from 5:00 AM – 11 PM. Just call the hotel after you have arrived by using the hotel courtesy phone located in Baggage Claim or by calling (515) 245-5500. They will pick you up FREE of charge and bring you safely to the hotel. Rental car agencies are available at the airport. Rental car counter and cars are available at the baggage claim area of Terminal. If you are not renting a car or staying at the Des Moines Marriott, there are several other options for transportation from the airport to your destination of choice. There are cabs, limousines, and bus services available. www.dsmairport.com Return to top of page RV PARKING & ACCOMMODATIONS Iowa State Fairgrounds Campground East 30th and University Avenue Des Moines, IA Campground Office (515) 262-3111 ext. 284 4 miles from Convention Site Amenities include more than 1800 sites with water and electrical hookups, hundreds more without and nearly 600 sites with sewers. We offer three large bathhouses with showers, toilets, and sinks. New in 2003, a unique safe shelter which includes an office and bathhouse. Three dumping stations provide convenient waste disposal for RVs and trailers. We boast 160 acres of gently rolling woodlands, just minutes from city shopping, dining and entertainment. We offer 1800 sites with water and electrical hookups, hundreds more without, and nearly 600 sites with sewers. We offer economical rates and 24 hour security.   Camping Rates $23/night for all utilities (water, electricity and sewer) $20/night for water and electricity $18/night without utilities Extra people and extra vehicle charges may apply. Limited lower grounds camping is available for exhibitors during interim events. For availability and pricing contact Iowa State Fair Public Safety at 515-262-3931. Conveniently Located Centrally located just off I-80 and I-35 in Des Moines, the Fairgrounds are located at East 30th Street and East University Avenue. Yellow Banks Park 6801 SE 32nd Ave. Pleasant Hill, IA 50317 30 amps $40 50 amps $50 515-266-1563 Resting on high bluffs overlooking the Des Moines River, Yellow Banks Park offers some of the most outstanding scenery in central Iowa. This 517-acre park features a 60-unit campground, three picnic shelters, 5-acre pond, and a boat ramp on the Des Moines River. 16 miles from Convention Site Pleasant Hill, IA Electric - $24/night Non-Electric - $18/night   www.conservationboard.org/Pages/ybp.aspx Griff’s Valley View RV Park & Campground 6429 N.E. 46th St. Altoona, IA 50009 515-967-5474 16 miles from Convention Site $119.00/week or $27.50/day plus tax Payment made by cash, check or credit card (MC, Visa, Discover & AMEX)   www.griffieon.home.mchsi.com/GriffsRV/RV.htm Adventureland Campground 3200 Adventureland Dr., Altoona IA 50009 (515) 265-7384 or (800) 532-1286 16 miles from Convention Site $35 (rate includes tax) A FULL SERVICE CAMPGROUND with complete facilities including: hookups, modern showers and restrooms, RV Facilities, tent camping, a swimming pool and recreational areas.   www.adventureland-inn.com/lodging/campground PRICES ARE CURRENT (June 2010) AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE, PLEASE VERIFY ALL PRICES BEFORE BOOKING. 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