Join us as the ICOG Staff Retreat this spring!


Date: May 1, 2024 to May 2, 2025

Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown

Address: 101 E Locust St, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, USA



REGISTER

Registration has been extended until April 23!

AGENDA AT A GLANCE

We're excited to offer four dynamic breakout session categories this year:

  1. Funding & Finance
  2. Operations & Administration
  3. Planning & Land Use
  4. Transportation


Wednesday, April 30


9:30 AM  - Iowa DOT TIP Seminar: Iowa DOT Program Management Bureau - Zac Bitting

Lunch Break  - on your own

1:00 - 5:00 PM  - MPO/RPA Quarterly Meeting: Iowa DOT Systems Planning Bureau - Travis Halm


Please note:  Lunch will not be provided on Wednesday. However, there are numerous dining options within walking distance of the hotel for your convenience.


Thursday, May 1


9:00 AM- Registration & Exhibitor Tables open


10:00 AM- Keynote Speaker - Presenter: Lisa Even


11:15 AM- Breakout Sessions

  1. Revitalizing Communities: Unlocking the Potentials of Brownfields - Presenter: Mel Pins
  2. Administrative Purchasing Practices Collaborative Forum - Facilitator lead by Denise Bulat with attendee engagement
  3. Building For the Future: Navigating Bonding & Finance - Presenter: John Danos
  4. MPO/RPA 101 - Presenter: Travis Halm


12:15 PM- Award Luncheon and tribute to Beth Waddle & Exhibitor Dessert


Innovative Project Award:  Metropolitan Area Planning Agency

Prometheus Award:  Tracey Achenbach, ECICOG

Friend of COGs:  Allamakee County Economic Development & Tourism

Friend of COGs:  Dee Fischer


1:30 PM- Breakout Sessions

  1. TIF 101: Understanding Tax Increment Financing and It's Impact - Presenter: John Danos
  2. HR in Motion: What Employers Need to Know to Stay Ahead and Navigate New Norms- Presenter: Josh Hughes
  3. Building Stronger Communities: The Essentials of Resilience Planning- Presenters: Jack Stinogel, Olivia Calvin
  4. On Track for Success: Insights on Rail - Presenters: Jim Glaspie, Kristopher Klop


2:45 PM- Breakout Sessions

  1. Funding Partner/ Agency Updates - Presenter: Robert Wick
  2. Exploring Iowa Demographics - Presenter: Gary Krob
  3. Energy Developments - Presenters: Sam Norris and Kelli Orton
  4. Passenger Transportation Workshop - Presenters: Spencer Thompson, Emma Simmons


4:00 PM- Local Systems Panel on Transportation Funding - Presenters: Niki Stinn, Deb Arp, Jacob Page


5:30 PM- Happy Hour at Cadwell's Grill in the hotel


Friday, May 2


8:00 AM-Breakfast and exhibitors tables open


8:30 AM- Conversation Cafe - Facilitator lead with attendee engagement


9:45 AM- Breakout Sessions

  1. Grant Writing 101/Roundtable - Presenters: Isaiah Corbin, Chris Whitaker
  2. Accounting/Finance Roundtable - Facilitator lead with attendee engagement
  3. Urban Conservation - Presenter: Ann Seda
  4. Equity on the Move: Civil Rights in Transportation - Presenter: Tracey Bradley


11:00 AM- Breakout Sessions

  1. Rural Housing Projects - Presenters: Tracey Achenbach, Karla Janning, Myrtle Nelson
  2. COG Sharing Q&A Session - Facilitator lead by Chris Whitaker with attendee engagement
  3. Land Use, Planning & Zoning - Presenter: Luke Seaberg
  4. No session


12:00 PM- Lunch


12:30 PM- COG Project, Highlights & Lessons Learned - Moderator lead with attendee engagement - PLUS! prize giveaways


1:30 PM- Adjournment


Thursday Evening Details



At the conclusion of day 1 there are several opportunities to network with attendees and enjoy delicious food at local restaurants.


Join your colleagues for a Networking Opportunity  at the Cadwell's Grille!  Those who are staying overnight at the hotel receive 2 complimentary drink tickets at check-in.

Dinner  is on your own. There are several great dining experiences available in the downtown area. See restaurants in the area.

Explore Des Moines!


During your free time consider checking out the local area by accessing the Catch Des Moines website for what's going on and where to visit.


Check out Catch Des Moines for things to do in Des Moines. See here.


THURSDAY'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER

LISA EVEN-  Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, & Author


Lisa's first job was at a tiny cafe, serving breakfast and coffee to farmers, truckers, and locals. That experience taught her an invaluable lesson: meet people where they are. You can't pour a big enough cup of joe or fake-smile someone into being happier-they'll see right through it. And at a coffee shop, they'll definitely let you know! Real connection requires a calm nerve, a genuine effort to understand others, and the ability to see each other as human.

 

She carried those lessons into the corporate workplace. Lisa replaced rigidity with autonomy, task lists with authentic connection and curiosity, and top-down accountability with shared ownership. She asked herself, What if leadership starts with a Good Ripple Effect?


Learn More about Lisa here!


HOTEL INFORMATION


Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown

Address:  101 E Locust St, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, USA

Pricing: Standard King/Standard Double Queen $121/Night

Reservation Deadline: The deadline has been extended to Thursday, April 3

Hotel Phone: 515.244.1700

Booking Room Tip:  If you are booking a room for more than one night, after clicking on the BOOK ROOM button, click on Edit Stay, then click on the date 1 May to access a calendar to adjust your nights.


BOOK ROOM

Those staying overnight at the hotel will receive 2 drink tickets for the hotel bar and a voucher for the made-to-order breakfast on Friday morning. Those not staying at the hotel should see ICOG staff at the registration table for the Friday breakfast voucher.


Hotel Main Entrance & Parking


Self-parking is $20/day.

Check in is at 3:00 pm.

Check out is at 12:00 PM


Paid parking is available at the hotel overnight for $20. There is also a city garage located at 402 E 2nd St, which is just north of the hotel. In addition, metered street parking is available throughout downtown.


EXHIBITORS/SPONSORS

We’re excited to offer exhibitor and sponsor opportunities for the first time ever! Past attendees have been eager for more ways to connect, collaborate, and build meaningful partnerships—and now, it’s happening! Plus, every exhibitor and sponsor package comes with membership in the ICOG Partnership Program, giving your organization even more visibility, credibility, and opportunities to shine. Don’t miss this incredible chance to make an impact!


After registering as an exhibitor or exhibitor/sponsor, you will receive an invoice via email for payment by check. Please note that we cannot accept credit card payments.


Exhibitor/Sponsor Level Options

 

$500

  • Annual Partner Program Membership
  • Recognition on ICOG Website
  • Exhibit Table
  • Recognition in quarterly newsletter
  • Complimentary registration to the Staff Retreat sessions

 

$1,000

  • Annual Partner Program Membership
  • Recognition on ICOG Website
  • Exhibit Table
  • Recognition in quarterly newsletter
  • Complimentary registration to the Staff Retreat sessions
  • All day beverage service sponsor with signage recognition

 

$1,500

  • Annual Partner Program Membership
  • Recognition on ICOG Website
  • Exhibit Table
  • Recognition in quarterly newsletter
  • Complimentary registration to the Staff Retreat sessions
  • Meal sponsor with signage recognition and option to speak about your product/service during one of the meals



Thank you to our Partnership Program Members!