Veterans Memorial Auditorium is part of the Iowa Events Center, which also includes Hy-Vee Hall, Wells Fargo Arena, and formerly the Polk County Convention Complex (The Plex). A facility study determined that Veterans Memorial Auditorium should be renovated to accommodate state, regional, and national convention activities, eventually replacing The Plex. The renovation included the removal of 7,200 auditorium seats and the construction of an additional floor in Vets Auditorium to accommodate the ballroom level. The project was completed in 15 months.

An acoustical design challenge was to tame the reverberation in the large spaces while meeting the architects’ vision and tight budget. IMEG incorporated very low-cost absorbers in large quantities placed in locations that would not be in plain sight. IMEG produced audio simulations of how the key spaces would sound with various finishes and acoustical treatments, which helped the design team to select interior finishes with confidence.

Lighting designs included meeting rooms with movable partitions with a DALI lighting control system that auto senses the room’s configuration. The boardroom and conference rooms have the same level of lighting control sophistication for ease of use, optimum user flexibility, and energy savings. The concourse consists of eight theming projectors coupled with a DALI lighting system for optimum configurations and lighting levels. The ballroom is a multifunction room with a movable partition and utilizes four layers of lighting depending on the venue.