Grand River Center Conference and Education Center

Operations Management Services

Request for Proposal

Closing: November 7, 2022; 2:00 p.m.
Addendum Closing Date: November 18, 2022; 2:00 p.m.

The City of Dubuque, Iowa is soliciting competitive sealed proposals from qualified professional management firms capable of providing a full range of comprehensive management services with a well-proven track record of services consistent with generally accepted operation of a first-class conference and education center. This proposal is for the Grand River Center Conference and Education Center, located at 500 Bell Street in Dubuque, Iowa.

The City is seeking a professional, financially sound company and team to operate, market, and manage the GRC under contract with the City of Dubuque. The City invites management firms to create a proposal that would establish a relationship with the City that will be most beneficial to both the City and the management firm.

The GRC has been in operation since 2003 . T he three-story GRC provides breath-taking views of the Mississippi River and the Tri-State area. The center features an 86,000 square foot conference and meeting facility which includes a 30,000 square foot exhibit hall, a 12,000 square foot ballroom, and six meeting rooms. On the third floor, the River Room is an all-glass enclosure with a balcony jutting over the Riverwalk. The GRC also includes the grounds, sidewalks, common areas, lobby areas, executive offices, storage utility facilities kitchen, laundry, plus outdoor and covered parking areas. (Appendix F) The GRC’s patio is connected to the Port of Dubuque Riverwalk which parallels the mighty Mississippi River. The Riverwalk features Art on the River , a juried public art exhibit that changes each year. Typically, two artworks are placed on the GRC property each year. The GRC is connected to the 193-room Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark via an enclosed indoor skywalk. The Grand Harbor is privately owned and managed.

It is the goal of the City of Dubuque to advance the GRC as the high quality, multi-purpose meeting facility to meet the needs of conventions, trade shows, consumer shows, corporate meetings, and community events. The City of Dubuque will oversee and manage the contract of the selected operations management firm.

The City invites submittals from qualified firms that have proven experience in providing comprehensive management, marketing, and full-service operations at convention, education, or exhibition facilities in comparable or larger markets.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is for consolidated services. That is, firms should be prepared to provide all management, marketing, and operations services. However, the City will consider a firm's use of affiliated companies, joint ventures, or subcontractors, to provide consolidated services.

At the conclusion of the RFP process described herein, and upon execution of an Operations Management Agreement (the “Agreement”), a firm will be selected for the comprehensive management, marketing, and operation of the GRC consistent with generally accepted operations of a first-class conference, convention, and education center. The selected firm will serve as an independent contractor of the City.