Iowa's premier broadband gathering returns to Des Moines on 22–24 March 2027, with 150+ strategic partners, practical education and nearly 1,000 industry professionals.
Dates
22–24 Mar 2027
City / country
Des Moines, United States
Venue
Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, 730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Event overview
The Iowa Communications Alliance Annual Meeting & Expo is Iowa's premier gathering for rural broadband and communications providers, returning to the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines on 22–24 March 2027. Three days combine a busy Expo Hall of strategic partners with practical education, policy updates and peer networking for independent telcos, ISPs and cooperatives.
Attendees compare network equipment, OSS/BSS platforms, fiber construction services and cybersecurity tools, while leadership sessions focus on competition, funding and customer experience. With nearly 1,000 industry professionals expected, it is the most concentrated Iowa audience of broadband decision-makers in 2027.
TL;DR
Meet the suppliers, cooperatives and peers shaping Iowa broadband in one place. Compare fiber, OSS/BSS and cybersecurity options, sit in on practical sessions about competition and operations, and leave with a shortlist and contacts you can act on before the construction season starts.
Put your brand in front of nearly 1,000 Iowa broadband decision-makers, including general managers, network engineers and purchasing leads from independent telcos and cooperatives. The expo floor is compact, the audience is qualified, and three days of shared meals and sessions create repeated, high-quality conversations.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Entrances & gates
Main entrance, 3rd Street
Primary visitor entrance for the convention center.
Surface lots and a covered ramp serve the Iowa Events Center campus; use the 5th/Crocker lot and keep the ticket for re-entry.
Step-free access through the 3rd Street entrance; lifts connect all levels and accessible restrooms are on each floor. Ask staff at the main desk for the nearest route to the Expo Hall.
Food options
Convention center café and concessions
On-site diningParking: The Iowa Events Center operates adjacent surface lots and a parking ramp off 5th Street and Crocker Street. Card payment is typical; arrive early on the opening morning because the Annual Meeting shares the downtown campus with other events.
Gate: Use the main Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center entrance on 3rd Street. Badge pickup and registration are in the main lobby; the Expo Hall is signposted from there.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Registration and badge pickup are in the main lobby. Bring a photo ID and your confirmation email; exhibitors should use the separate partner check-in desk.
Ticket notes
The 2027 prospectus, exhibit options and pricing were still listed as coming soon, and no visitor ticket price or free-admission statement was printed. Registration and pricing details will be shared through ICA member newsletters and the annual meeting page.
Who runs the show
Iowa Communications Alliance
Organiser
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 1,000
Exhibitors: 150
This edition
2027
Visitors: 1,000
Exhibitors: 150
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
The Annual Meeting concentrates a small, senior Iowa broadband audience that controls real network and software budgets. For a vendor, three days here can produce more qualified rural-telco conversations than a large national show where the same buyers are diluted across thousands of stands.
Audience quality
Attendees are largely general managers, owners, network engineers and finance leaders from independent Iowa telcos, cooperatives and ISPs, plus their strategic partners. The audience is regional rather than international, but buying authority is high and repeat attendance is common.
Exhibitor outcomes
A compact Expo Hall and a shared social programme shorten the path from introduction to technical conversation. Vendors selling fiber hardware, OSS/BSS, cybersecurity or construction services can justify the trip with a handful of cooperative accounts; success depends on booking meetings before arrival rather than relying on walk-up traffic.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Iowa has a dense base of independent broadband providers and cooperatives that are building fiber with federal and state support. The Annual Meeting is where those operators compare vendors, share build-out lessons and set priorities for the coming construction season.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Fiber build-out meets tighter capital
Federal broadband programmes and state grants have pushed fiber deeper into rural Iowa, but operators are now matching construction schedules to available capital, supply lead times and subscriber take rates.
What it changes: Vendors that can prove cost per passing, delivery certainty and integration with existing OSS/BSS will win attention from cautious build teams.
Competition from cable and fixed wireless
National cable, mobile and fixed-wireless providers keep extending their reach into markets once served only by independent telcos, forcing local operators to compete on service quality and bundling rather than geography.
What it changes: The 2027 programme theme, competing with purpose, reflects a market where customer experience and retention now matter as much as network coverage.
SourceCybersecurity and network resilience
Rural providers face the same ransomware, DDoS and supply-chain threats as larger carriers, with smaller security teams and tighter budgets.
What it changes: Managed security, monitoring and incident-response services are becoming a core part of the supplier conversation at regional broadband meetings.
The Annual Meeting is the flagship of a year-round ICA programme, supported by focused conferences and training days for the same Iowa broadband audience.
ICA Tech Talk & Training
Various Iowa locations, United States
Hands-on technical training for technicians and outside-plant personnel.
websiteICA CX Summit
Johnston, United States
Customer-experience summit at Hilton Garden Inn, Johnston.
websiteICA Executive Pathways Conference
Des Moines, United States
One-day leadership conference for general managers and teams at Hilton Des Moines Downtown.
websiteQ1 2027
Leadership day in January, flagship meeting in March.
Q4 2026
Training and customer-experience events ahead of the Annual Meeting.
Dates and locations for the ICA circuit events come from the official ICA events page; the 2027 Annual Meeting is the only confirmed 2027 flagship.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Des Moines International Airport
Closest airport; downtown hotels and the Iowa Events Center are a short taxi or rideshare ride away.
About 5 miles
to venue
15–20 minutes
by car
Eastern Iowa Airport
Cedar Rapids alternative; only worth it if a direct flight saves a connection, then drive or take a shuttle to Des Moines.
About 115 miles
to venue
1 hour 50 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 90–135 / night
Simple rooms with free parking; budget on a 10–15 minute drive or rideshare to the venue.
USD 145–195 / night
Walkable to the Iowa Events Center and close to restaurants on Court Avenue.
USD 210–290 / night
Full-service properties connected or within a short walk of the convention center; book early for March meeting dates.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
DART bus
Cash or exact fare; the free D-Line serves downtown stops during weekday service.
Rideshare / taxi
Use the designated pickup zone on 3rd Street; allow extra time on the opening morning.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor visa | Citizens of countries without Visa Waiver Program eligibility who travel for business meetings or contract negotiations. | $185.00 | Interview wait times vary; apply several weeks to months ahead. | |
| ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program | Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries travelling for business for 90 days or less. | $21.00 | Usually decided within 72 hours; apply at least a week before travel. |
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries may travel under ESTA for business meetings; check eligibility and apply before booking.
A carnet is not normally needed for a domestic US trade show; confirm with your freight forwarder for imported display goods.
Official visa pageWeather
March in Des Moines is transitional: expect cold mornings, highs around 8–13°C (46–55°F), lows near -2–3°C (28–37°F), and a mix of sun, wind and rain or wet snow. Layering and a waterproof outer layer are sensible.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Downtown Des Moines has good mobile coverage and the convention center offers Wi-Fi in public areas; exhibitors should order dedicated internet in the booth if live demos are critical.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Midwest meeting style
Conversations tend to be direct and practical. A firm handshake, a clear product story and a follow-up email within a few days are valued more than a hard sell.
Downtown and the Capitol
The venue sits on the edge of downtown, a short drive from the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol and the Court Avenue restaurant district; both are easy to fit around session breaks.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: DSM
Book 6–10 weeks ahead for March; fares into DSM rise sharply in the final month and connections through Chicago are the most frequent.
Book flightsMost international business visitors need either a B-1 visa or an ESTA authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program; carry a letter from your employer describing the business purpose.
Estimated cost: USD 185 consular fee; ESTA about USD 21
Processing: B-1 interviews vary from weeks to months; ESTA is usually decided within 72 hours.
Apply early and check the current fee and wait times on the official US State Department site; no on-arrival visa is available.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: DSM is about 5 miles from downtown: 15–20 minutes by taxi or rideshare, roughly USD 20–30.
Hotel → venue: Downtown hotels are a 5–15 minute walk; use the D-Line circulator or a short rideshare in cold or wet weather.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft both operate in Des Moines; pickup at the venue is on 3rd Street.
Public transit: DART buses serve downtown and the Iowa Events Center; exact fare is USD 1.75 and a day pass is about USD 4.
Parking: Iowa Events Center surface lots and the 5th/Crocker ramp; expect USD 10–20 per day for event parking.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March
Temperature: Highs 8–13°C (46–55°F); lows -2–3°C (28–37°F)
Seasonality: Mixed early-spring weather with wind, rain and occasional wet snow; severe storms become more likely late in the month.
Packing: Bring a warm layered jacket, waterproof shoes and an umbrella; session rooms can be cool, so a sweater is useful.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Tuesday 23 March 2027
The opening day carries the keynote, the fullest Expo Hall and the evening reception, so a single-day visitor sees the programme and the supplier floor without losing a second travel day.
Confirm the 2027 programme and register for the annual meeting — Use the ICA annual meeting page; the 2027 prospectus and pricing were still pending, so register as soon as the form opens.
Book a downtown hotel and hold a refundable rate — Downtown inventory tightens for the March dates; the Hilton and Hyatt Place are walkable to the venue.
Build a supplier shortlist and request meetings — Target fiber, OSS/BSS and cybersecurity partners; ask for a 20-minute slot rather than relying on booth walk-ups.
Check the weather and plan the DSM transfer — March can bring wet snow; allow 20 minutes from the airport and keep a backup rideshare plan.
Pack badges, ID and session notes; confirm the venue entrance — Use the 3rd Street main entrance and collect your badge in the main lobby.
Registration and badge pickup in the main lobby
Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, 3rd Street entranceOpening keynote and policy update
Main session roomExpo Hall supplier meetings
Expo HallAfternoon breakout on competition and customer experience
Breakout roomsNetworking reception with exhibitors
Expo Hall / lobbyIowa State Capitol
Landmark
About 10 minutes by car from downtown
Free self-guided tours of the gold-domed capitol and a good view of the city; pair it with the East Village shops and cafés.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Public Art
10-minute walk from downtown hotels
An open-air collection of modern sculpture in Western Gateway Park, useful for a short break between sessions.
Expo Hall reception
Official networking
The evening reception is the best single opportunity to meet cooperative general managers and partners.
Court Avenue district
After-hours
Restaurant and bar strip a short walk from downtown hotels; book a table if hosting customers.
The Iowa audience is compact and relationship-driven. Fast, specific follow-up matters more than volume, and a second touch after the show is expected before a formal proposal.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 30–48 / m²
Raw space
USD 20–35 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No 2027 exhibit tariff was published; the prospectus was still coming soon. Bands are benchmarked to regional Midwest trade shows and exclude booth build, freight and electrical.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
hotel
both · budget
USD 90–135 / per night
hotel
both · mid
USD 145–195 / per night
hotel
both · premium
USD 210–290 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 50–85 / per day
booth
exhibitor · shell 9 sqm
USD 2800–4200 / per booth
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hotel | both | budget | USD 90–135 / per night | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 145–195 / per night | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| hotel | both | premium | USD 210–290 / per night | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 50–85 / per day | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| booth | exhibitor | shell 9 sqm | USD 2800–4200 / per booth | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
Decision
Answer six quick questions to see whether the 2027 Annual Meeting is worth a visit, an exhibit commitment, or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
Which best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a live fiber, OSS/BSS or security project and need to meet multiple Iowa suppliers in one trip.
Best for
Iowa providers and their technical teams comparing suppliers, plus vendors assessing the market before committing to a stand.
Min. budget
$900.00
Timeline
4–8 weeks
Risks
March weather can disrupt travel
A compact floor limits walk-up discovery if you do not pre-book
exhibit
You can commit to 12–20 pre-booked meetings and a focused 9–18 sqm stand.
Best for
Suppliers of fiber hardware, software, cybersecurity or construction services that want qualified cooperative accounts.
Min. budget
$4,500.00
Timeline
90 days
Risks
Small absolute audience
High dependency on pre-booked meetings
No published 2027 pricing yet
skip
The Iowa market is not in your 2027 plan and no cooperative accounts are active.
Best for
National or international vendors with no Iowa pipeline and no budget to build one this year.
Timeline
None
Risks
Missing relationship-building with a loyal regional audience
Competitors may lock in cooperative accounts
Book with
Iowa Events Center
Operator of the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center and the downtown Des Moines campus.
Public venue operator; not an announced event sponsor.
Des Moines International Airport
The city’s commercial airport, about 5 miles from downtown and the venue.
Public airport authority; not an announced event sponsor.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Regional economic development and chamber organisation for the Des Moines metro.
Public economic development body; not an announced event sponsor.
Iowa Economic Development Authority
State agency supporting business investment, broadband and community development across Iowa.
Public state agency; not an announced event sponsor.
Recommended providers
Official B-1 and ESTA guidance; fees and wait times change.
Walkable full-service option; book the refundable rate early.
Compare connections into DSM; book 6–10 weeks out for March.
Domestic freight and exhibition logistics; the 2027 show contractor was not published.
Travel and cancellation cover; exhibitors also need a certificate of insurance for the venue.
Local itineraries for the Capitol, East Village and sculpture park.
Badge scanning and CRM export; confirm compatibility before the show.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
2
Publishers
3
Date checked
Iowa Communications Alliance
Plumettaz
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