Conferencing at Grinnell …

“Your services are wonderful.” “Campus staff … are all very helpful and pleasant.” “Top notch … cannot think of one [experience] in particular that was the ‘best.’” “It was all very good — the contact in preparing for the event, service the day of the event, quality of the room, food, and AV.”

So say respondents to a recent survey of participants in summer conferences that rent campus facilities. The College earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in every survey category, including event management, campus facilities, athletic facilities, dining hall service, catering service, and residence halls. 

That may explain why the College hosted more than 500 events totaling 26,000 individuals last year — ranging from a six-person meeting to a conference with more than 1,000 attendees — and why many groups come back year after year.

“We often drop everything more than once each presidential election year to host a candidate,” [most recently Vice-President Joe Biden — see Washington-in-Grinnell], says Rachel Bly ’93, director of conference operations and events.

Political geography aside, “These groups love our beautiful campus and town as much as we do,” Bly says. “And they appreciate the warm welcome, personal attention, and great facilities.”

In return, the College has an opportunity to make its facilities available — especially to groups that share its commitment to youth, community, education, and positive social change. For this year, the College has added two more clients that align with Grinnell’s mission: a national association of science-focused high schools, and a conference of liberal arts computer science professors.

The College also benefits from the operating efficiencies of keeping the campus populated — and the half-million dollars in revenue that conferences contributed to the College’s general fund last year.