Convention Visitors at the Iowa Arboretum

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The weather was delightful for the tours.  Here are some photos of the Convention guests and guest irises at the Iowa Arboretum, one of three gardens visited on Friday.  Click on a photo to see a larger version and again … Continue reading →

Convention Blooms

The 2017 guest iris are getting ready.  Many TBs and MTBs with some IBs and BBs and even an AB.  This view is Monday afternoon at one of the Messer Garden beds, one of five beds there.  Click on the photo to see a larger version.

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Eat Downtown Des Moines – Friday Evening

Take advantage of a special opportunity to “dine-a-round” downtown Des Moines’ award-winning and innovative food scene. The convention committee has arranged for group reservations at three downtown restaurants at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 26. Click on the names to visit each restaurant’s website and peruse the dinner menu.

Django (20 people)

Django is a comfortable, family-friendly brasserie offering everything you love about French cuisine without the attitude and featuring seasonal ingredients. It’s been a mainstay of the downtown dining scene for many years.

Bubba (20 people)

Bubba is a newcomer to the downtown dining scene as of last summer, specializing in Southern favorites and classic cocktails with a recently appointed new chef. Bonus: the bar stocks a large array of whiskies!

Vivian’s Diner and Drinks (30 people)

Vivian’s is billed as a “new modern diner” and located in the historic Hotel Kirkwood. Modern interiors have an upscale twist and the menu offers contemporary, but hearty revivals of old diner favorites.

Here’s what you need to know to participate:

• Ready for dinner? Sign-up for reservation spots when you check in at the convention registration desk on the third floor of the Downtown Marriott Hotel. The sign-up will be next to the bus sign-up sheets!
• Reservation space first come, first serve. The convention committee must turn in final commitments to the restaurants by close of day on Wednesday.
• Diners are responsible for their own tab. The convention committee has simply made the group arrangements as a courtesy to convention attendees as they plan for a free evening.
• All three restaurants are short walks from the convention hotel. For those who want to walk, a docent/leader will guide groups to the restaurants and depart the hotel at 5:45 p.m. Limited street parking is available at each restaurant. Taxis or rideshare services (Uber) are also available.

The Dine-A-Round is a great way to meet new people, experience great local cuisine while someone else takes care of the reservation!

Saturday Iris Auction

The 2017 convention will feature a live auction of selected convention guests on Saturday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. in the Hall of Cities Room on the third floor of the Des Moines Downtown Marriott. The auction will feature three lots: medians, tall bearded and beardless. Each lot will last one hour and feature 40-50 varieties.

Here’s what you need to know to participate:

• A catalog of auction irises will be posted on the convention website the week prior to convention.
• Your registration number printed on your convention badge serves as your bidder number.
• All sales are final and cash, check or credit will be accepted at checkout. All tabs must be finalized at the conclusion of the auction.
• A cash bar will be available during the auction.