The nearest major airport is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), which is a 45-minute drive from Ames and the Iowa State University campus. 

Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Airport Phone: +1 (515) 256-5050

Major airlines serving DSM include American, Allegiant, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United.

The airport also has several rental car agencies serving the traveling public. All agencies are located inside the terminal baggage claim area. 

While you are welcome to reserve any suitable hotel in Ames, we have secured room blocks at discounted rates at the following locations for Sunday, August 10.

Courtyard Ames, 311 S 17th St, Ames, IA 50010. Reservation Link
Last day to book using the block: Thursday, July 10.

Gateway Hotel & Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, IA 50014. Reservation Link
Last day to book using the block: Friday, July 18.

Sunday Workshop: “What can we do with computational catalysis?” (August 10, 2025):

2102 Student Innovation Center

606 Bissell Road

Ames, IA 50011

https://maps.app.goo.gl/D6qCgyGVQCCGyYJaA 

Parking: Most campus parking is free without any permit requirement on Sundays. We recommend parking in lots 6, 9,14A,14B, or 21 (see map below). Do not park in any spaces that are noted as reserved all hours/all days. Do not park in lots 2, 3, 8, 13 or 15, as these are exclusively reserved all hours/all days or have very limited capacity. Advance registration is required for the Sunday workshop.

Sunday Dinner: Wasabi Somerset (August 10, 2025):

Wasabi Somerset (North)

2707 Kent Avenue

Ames, IA 50010

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nSQJ9GBaxX6iqkCQ7

There are two Wasabi locations in Ames; please ensure you are visiting the Kent Avenue location on the north side of town. Ample parking is available in the parking lot immediately west of the Wasabi building, on the streets in the neighborhood, and one block immediately south of Wasabi (just south of Northridge Parkway). Advance registration is required for Sunday dinner.

Note: Stange Road is currently closed to northbound traffic between 13th Street and 24th Street. Google Maps and Apple Maps are aware of this closure and are redirecting traffic accordingly.

Monday: GPCS Symposium (August 11, 2025):

Howe Hall Atrium and Lee Liu Auditorium; Sukup Hall Atrium

537 Bissell Road

Ames, IA 50011

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vsikdy5MMWcCHynp9 

Monday will begin in Howe Hall. Parking permits are required for the Monday symposium. If you indicated your need for a parking permit during registration, a PDF will be sent to you in advance of the meeting for you to print a copy. When you arrive on campus Monday morning and park your vehicle, be sure to place the printed permit on the front dash such that it’s clearly visible. [Note: A limited supply of printed permits will be available at the registration desk Monday morning, but we strongly recommend that you pre-register, print, and bring the permit with you so you don’t have to check in, then return to your vehicle to display it.]

Your parking permits will be valid in any yellow lot (“General Staff”) shown on the map below. We recommend parking in Lot 9 (ONLY the yellow-signed General Staff area, NOT the red Reserved and NOT metered spots), Lot 10 (NOT metered spots), or Lot 10A. These lots are accessible from the south by taking Sheldon Avenue to the Sheldon Avenue extension, or from the north via Pammel Drive and entering at the marked street (see blue arrows below). Permits must be displayed at all times.

The map below is a screenshot taken from the Iowa State Parking Map. If you plan to visit elsewhere on campus, note that Sunday parking is generally free (except for spaces/lots posted as reserved all hours/all days) and that your conference-provided parking permit will enable you to park in any General Staff (yellow) lot.