Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa—just across the Mississippi River from East Dubuque, Illinois—won the 2025 Northstar Stella Award for Best Convention Center in the Midwest, its second consecutive year taking first place in the category. Operated by Oak View Group of Denver, Colorado, Grand River Center was honored for its unmatched standard of service and hospitality. The award reflects the dedication of the entire team and the exceptional event experiences consistently delivered to clients and guests.
The Stella Awards recognize excellence across the meetings and events industry, celebrating top performers in hotels, convention centers, conference venues, airlines, cruise lines, destination marketing organizations/convention and visitors bureaus, and destination management companies. This year’s honorees were chosen after more than 8,000 votes and 1,000 nominations and stood out for their commitment to excellence in service, culinary offerings, staff professionalism, sustainability, and overall event experiences.
“Winning the Stella Award two years in a row is a reflection of the consistency and commitment we have built here in Dubuque,” says the convention center’s General Manager Ryan Bonifas in a prepared statement. “This back-to-back recognition would not be possible without our dedicated team and the overall support of Oak View Group, the City of Dubuque, and Travel Dubuque. We look forward to continuing to raise the standard for guest experiences at the Grand River Center.”
In addition, the recognition highlights Grand River Center’s dedication to delivering exceptional experiences for every client and guest, from tailored event planning and exceptional culinary offerings to advanced technology, sustainability efforts, and seamless guest service. This back-to-back honor not only celebrates its past achievements, but also drives its team to continually elevate the quality of future events.
“Winning this award two years in a row speaks volumes about the Grand River Center team and the care they put into every event,” says Keith Rahe, president and CEO of Travel Dubuque. “The facility continues to be a cornerstone of our community, driving economic impact and establishing Dubuque as a premier destination for conventions throughout the Midwest. We’re fortunate to have an asset like this in Dubuque.”
