Know before you go – National Conference 2025

On behalf of the National AMBUCS team, we are honored and excited for you to attend the 2025 National Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. We wanted to provide you with some useful information in anticipation of an unforgettable week. Please see below for conference resources, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Shoulders Together!  

Have you already booked your room? Our room block closes on Monday, July 7th!

Des Moines Marriott Downtown

700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Check-in: 4:00 pm

Check-out: 11:00 am

Parking

Valet at Marriott – $19/day (50% off)

Book under the AMBUCS room block and add parking at check-in.

Greater Des Moines Partnership – 700 Locust St – $12/day

50 spots, unlimited in/out. Rear Marriott entrance across 7th St.

ARAG Legal – 500 Grand Ave – $10/day

300 spots, unlimited in/out. Two-block walk to Marriott front entrance.

City Parking – 801 Locust St – $1/hr, $7 max (12 hrs), $10 (12–24 hrs)

Pay each time you exit. Walk 1.5 blocks to Marriott rear or use skywalk

to 2nd floor.

If you purchased parking with your registration, your parking tag will be included in your conference packet. Park in your designated lot and jump right into the festivities!

DO NOT SHARE YOUR PARKING PASS. IF CAUGHT, YOUR PASS WILL BE REVOKED BY THE PARKING AGENT

Transportation

Uber and Lyft are available in the area.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE – $15 Each Way, Added to Hotel Reservation Upon Arrival.

AREA TRANSPORTATION – Zone 1 (Downtown): No fee (unless contracted)

First Timers

If this is your first time attending a national conference, please join us on Wednesday, July 23rd, from 4 pm – 5 pm in room Davenport for a ‘First Timers’ meeting. Here you can get your questions answered, mingle with other first-timers, and learn about conference rules.

Sign up for Trek for Trykes

Join us as we put our mission in motion and get moving for our 20th Annual Trek 4 Trykes on Saturday morning. You can register in the AMBUCS Store all week! 100% of the proceeds raised during this event provide funding for Amtryke adaptive tricycles to people on the AMBUCS National Wish List. Sign up here.

Big Hat Club Raffle

This year’s National Big Hat Club Raffle grand prize is a fabulous vacation for 2 with your choice of destination! You can buy tickets from Big Hat officers at the conference, buy virtual tickets online, or mail a check to the AMBUCS Resource Center (postmarked by Friday, July 14) to National AMBUCS, PO Box 5127, High Point, NC 27262.

National Big Hat Club Auction

On Thursday, the Big Hat Club Lunch and Auction will be an afternoon of fun, fundraising, and fellowship. This event will also feature the election of the new National Big Hat officers. Help fuel our mission by donating one-of-a-kind items to the auction! Your contribution can spark excitement, bidding wars, and meaningful support for our cause.

Hospitality Suite

Each evening after our program has concluded, the Hospitality Suite will be the place to gather and socialize with your fellow AMBUCS. The Hospitality Suite is located in Windows on 7th.

Voting

In previous years, credentials check-in took place during General Sessions. To minimize disruptions this year, we’ll be holding credentials check-in just outside the main meeting space. Chapter Presidents or designated voting delegates should check in on during the following times:

Thursday Pre-General Session  8:15-8:45 am

Thursday Post General Session 11:15-11:45 am

Saturday Morning Pre-General Session 8:30-9:00 am

President’s Dinner 

There will be open seating and no voucher exchange at this year’s President’s Dinner. Only limited reserved seating will be available for speakers, Past National Presidents, and special guests. The dress code is formal to semi-formal.

Des Moines local eats and entertainment

See here to explore all that Des Moines has to offer. Learn about decadent eating options, popular watering holes, famous tourist attractions, and more!

Capital Tour

Interested in a group tour of the Iowa State Capitol on Thursday, July 24? Email us at ambucs@ambucs.org to reserve your spot!