HY-VEE HALL TO BE RENAMED EMC EXPO CENTER ON JANUARY 1

(Des Moines, IA – November 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, will rename the exhibit hall and meeting space venue, EMC Expo Center,
on January 1, 2025. The Polk County Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposed
new name at their 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 events 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 founded in Des Moines in 1911 and has called downtown home since then.
EMC has grown into a national insurance carrier, strategically placing branch offices
nationwide. Serving more than 3,800 independent agencies around the U.S., EMC has
grown to 2,200 team members 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 EMC president and CEO Scott Jean. “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 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 with the naming of Hy-Vee Hall and their continued
support of our live entertainment business with the Hy-VeeTix brand. We also thank
our OVG Global Partnerships team for helping us secure EMC Insurance as our new naming
rights partner.”
Since opening in late 2004, 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 square feet, 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 country’s top 60 property and
casualty insurance organizations based on net written premiums. 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 Centers 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
Polk County is among the nation’s most innovative
public institutions serving a diverse Central Iowa community.
We bring together creative leaders, collaborative organizations, and key
resources to empower our communities and make life better for all people in Polk County.