(DES MOINES, Iowa – Nov. 18, 2024) — Polk County and Oak View Group, operators of Iowa Events Center, today announced a new 10-year naming rights partnership with EMC Insurance, a Des Moines-based commercial insurance organization selling property/casualty and life insurance products, to rename the exhibit hall and meeting space venue, EMC Expo Center, effective on January 1, 2025. The Polk County Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposed new name at their scheduled meeting on November 19.
"The Board of Supervisors proudly celebrates the remarkable achievements of the Iowa Events Center over the past two decades and its profound impact on our community. We are excited to announce EMC Insurance as our new branding partner for the convention center side of this iconic complex," said Polk County Board Chair Angela Connolly. "As a Des Moines-based company, EMC Insurance embodies the spirit of community partnership and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing downtown Des Moines. Their values align perfectly with our vision, making them an ideal naming partner. Together with our operators at Oak View Group, we are certain to create countless unforgettable experiences at the EMC Expo Center in the years ahead."
The 10-year partnership was executed on behalf of Polk County by OVG Global Partnerships, the sponsorship and naming rights division of Oak View Group that connects world-class brands with world-class live event and meeting properties. This partnership with EMC Insurance to name the venue EMC Expo Center brings together Iowa’s premier meeting and trade show facility with a company that was founded in Des Moines in 1911 and has called downtown home since that time. EMC has grown into a national insurance carrier, with branch offices strategically placed around the country. Serving more than 3,800 independent agencies around the U.S., EMC has grown to 2,200 team members spread across 46 states.
“We’re very excited to bring the EMC Expo Center to central Iowa – it’s a great way to support the community we call home,” said Scott Jean, EMC president and CEO. “A venue like this is so important for a city to have, and we are thrilled that our name will be attached to a space that will host so many meaningful events for so many people and organizations.”
“We are pleased to enter into this new naming rights partnership with EMC Insurance, a company based in Des Moines that shares our passionate vision for this space and all of Central Iowa. This is a company with dynamic leadership who has utilized our space for meetings and employee gatherings in the past,” said Oak View Group’s Chris Connolly, General Manager of the Iowa Events Center. “While we are excited about the future of the Iowa Events Center, we wouldn’t be here today without the tremendous partners we have had in the past. Hy-Vee has been a fantastic partner for us over the past 20 years both with the naming of Hy-Vee Hall and their continued support of our live entertainment business with the Hy-VeeTix brand. We would also like to thank our OVG Global Partnerships team for helping us secure EMC Insurance as our new naming rights partner.”
Since opening in 2005, the expo center has become a premier destination in the Midwest. Recently a new junior ballroom space was opened in what used to be the Iowa Hall of Pride, furthering Polk County’s commitment to evolving the Iowa Events Center to meet the needs of its users. This beautiful new junior ballroom space is over 10,000 sq feet of space, divisible by three to allow maximum flexibility for those clients hosting events.
Hy-Vee, the original naming rights partner of the expo hall, opted not to renew its agreement when the contract expires on December 31, 2024.
About EMC Insurance
EMC Insurance has approximately 2,200 employees and is among the top 60 property and casualty insurance organizations in the country based on net written premium. Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC) was organized in 1911 to write workers’ compensation protection in Iowa. Today, operating under the trade name EMC Insurance, EMC Insurance affiliated companies provide commercial property/casualty lines, bonds and life insurance products and services throughout the United States. EMCC is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit emcinsurance.com.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
About the Iowa Events Center
Iowa Events Center is a three-venue live events and meetings complex owned by Polk County and professionally managed by Oak View Group (OVG). The three venues that make up the Iowa Events Center are Wells Fargo Arena (Casey’s Center as of July 1, 2025) (16,000 seat arena), EMC Expo Center (100,000 sq. ft of exhibit space and meeting rooms) and Community Choice Convention Center (23 Meeting rooms and a 28,00 sq ft ballroom). The complex hosts sporting events, concerts, trade shows, conventions, meetings, and more across the three venues. Wells Fargo Arena is home to the Iowa Wild (AHL Hockey), Iowa Wolves (NBA G-League) and the Iowa Barnstormers (IFL Football).
About Polk County
Serving a diverse Central Iowa community, Polk County is among the nation’s most innovative public institutions. We bring together creative leaders, collaborative organizations and key resources to empower our communities and make life better for all people in Polk County.
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Press Contacts:
For Oak View Group/Iowa Events Center:
Adam Flack
Regional Marketing Director
515-418-2618 (m)
For EMC Insurance:
Sarah Buckley
VP, Corporate Communications and Community Impact
515-345-4588
For Polk County:
Jon Cahill
Polk County Communications Specialist
515-587-8303 (m)