*Suggested rendering
The Ames Event Center—which anchors The LINC development along Lincoln Way between Clark Avenue and Kellogg Avenue—is a state-of-the-art facility designed to host large and small events, meetings, and gatherings. Beyond the Ames Event Center, the area will feature an upscale, full-service hotel, retail shopping, restaurants, apartments and green spaces, creating a vibrant hub for Ames-area residents and visitors. The LINC itself may be the single most transformative development Ames has ever seen. The Ames Event Center will become our meeting place for various local activities but also host others with regional, national, and international draws.
Why does Ames need an event center?
Because of our location and accessibility, Ames has long been a competitive destination for events, conferences, and meetings—of local, regional, and national scale; however, we do not have the size and type of facilities to keep us competitive with similar destination cities.
A feasibility study was conducted that involved surveying event and conference planners from across the country, as well as Ames-area residents and businesses who might host events in the community.
This project represents an opportunity to better serve the community while enhancing Ames’ reputation as a premier destination for conferences and events.
How big will the event center be?
The state-of-the-art Ames Event Center will have 30,000 to 40,000 square feet of open space, with capacity for 800 to 1,000 in banquet rounds and the ability to be divided into separate rooms. It will also feature adjacent open space for event registration, receptions, exhibitor displays, and additional breakout rooms.
How many rooms will the hotel have?
The Ames Event Center will be connected to an upscale 200-room, full-service hotel property, with a restaurant and ample parking for guests.
What amenities will be included at The LINC?
In addition to the Ames Event Center and connected hotel, The LINC will feature restaurants and bars, shopping, apartments, and green spaces. It will be an absolute magnet for area residents, visitors, and events.
Where will people park?
A parking ramp will be constructed to accommodate visitors to the Ames Event Center as well as other businesses in The LINC and downtown developments. Electric vehicle charging stations will be included in the parking ramp.
Why was Downtown Ames chosen as the location?
Downtown Ames is the cultural and commercial heart of our city, a natural draw for area business, social, and recreational activity. For events and conferences at the Ames Event Center, The LINC will be part of our Lincoln Way Corridor, with easy access east and west so attendees can access Main Street and other downtown areas, as well as CyTown at the Iowa State Center and the ISU campus.
How will The LINC project benefit the Ames community?
The LINC overall may be the single most transformative development Ames has ever seen. The Ames Event Center is the ideal anchor as it becomes our meeting place to host weddings, reunions, social gatherings, and business meetings, and prompt others to bring their events to our community as well. People love to attend events in vibrant areas where there is a variety of things to do. The LINC will be just that, and the Ames Event Center will be a venue that can serve all types of groups.
Will the community have access to the Ames Event Center space?
Yes. The Ames Event Center is designed for both residents and visitors. Although the Ames Event Center will draw countless events and conferences from outside central Iowa, it will be Ames’ meeting place for everyone in our community to hold weddings, reunions, social gatherings, and business meetings. The Ames Event Center is ours, whether we’re hosting friends, family, and colleagues, or inviting others to bring their events and conferences to our community.
We want to give area residents more reasons to stay in Ames rather than go anywhere else, and we want to do the same for out-of-town guests when choosing between Ames and other cities.
How does this entire project connect with CyTown?
Both CyTown and The LINC projects are efforts by the University and City to help make Ames and central Iowa more attractive to visitors. They complement each other by creating mixed-use developments that include hotels and meeting spaces which are unique in their own ways. Once all this is in place, Ames will be even more attractive to athletic fans, visitors, event and conference attendees, and area residents. We will enhance our already-fantastic hospitality community with first-class event spaces, accommodations, restaurants, retail locations, and other amenities.
How will the Ames Event Center benefit the Ames community?
We know most visitors to the Ames area come for a specific event, conference, or activity, and many of those have a relationship to what’s happening at Iowa State University. The Ames Event Center and hotel—and The LINC overall—will help strengthen our Lincoln Way Corridor as visitors move east and west to experience our enhanced downtown, the Iowa State Center, and the ISU campus.
How does this project fit into the Downtown Ames Guiding Vision?
The LINC is part of a long-term vision to enhance Downtown Ames, attract talent, support innovations, and provide a central gathering space for future generations. Downtown Ames fosters a lively, thriving district for businesses and visitors. By blending the historic downtown ambiance with modern amenities, this project respects the character of Ames while embracing progress. In addition, the development provides valuable resources and contributes to the continued growth of Downtown Ames. These combined efforts will ultimately grow the local economy and increase Ames’ appeal as a destination for residents, businesses, and visitors.
What is the economic impact?
The economic impact of The LINC and Ames Event Center will be incredible: Millions of dollars will be spent in the Ames area through construction; new jobs in hospitality, retail, and other operations; and visitors to the area who will spend money hosting events, entertaining guests, staying in our accommodations, shopping in our stores, and eating and drinking in our establishments. Through our feasibility study, more than 300 groups have already expressed significant interest in utilizing the Ames Event Center.
When will construction begin, and when will it open?
Construction will begin in 2026, with an anticipated opening for the Ames Event Center in January 2029.
Will construction disrupt downtown businesses or traffic?
Efforts will be made to minimize disruption of traffic on Lincoln Way, Clark Avenue, and Kellogg Avenue. Construction schedules and any temporary changes to access or parking will be communicated well in advance.
How is the Ames Event Center project funded?
Funding sources include private investment, city and county support, federal and state grants, and tax incentives. Once built, it will operate as a nonprofit under Discover Ames, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, the City of Ames, or Story County.
How will the Ames Event Center attract business to Ames?
Events and conferences have had a substantial economic impact on our community, and an event center of this size and quality will make it even stronger. We will have the opportunity to bring events and conferences that have never been to central Iowa and better serve those who visit Ames and Iowa State University regularly.
Ames is on an amazing trajectory; we’re attracting more residents, businesses, and students, and event and conference planners want to bring people here. The LINC and Ames Event Center are precisely what we need to maintain that trajectory and momentum. We believe we can even set new standards for communities our size when it comes to event spaces and surrounding amenities.
Who is leading the Ames Event Center project?
The Ames Event Center is led by Discover Ames (the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau) and Ames Regional Economic Alliance, with guidance from a steering committee of local business leaders.