This summer more than 30,000 visitors will come to Ames and Iowa State for several activities.

When clients decide to come to Iowa State, conference services organizes everything needed for the event.

Victoria Szopinski, director of university conference services, works with the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau, facility directors and residence hall coordinators to organize services the guests will need.

“Our mission is to utilize the facilities that aren’t running during the summer,” Szopinski said.

Iowa State offers many different facilities, including residence halls, dining services, the Memorial Union, the Iowa State Center, Jack Trice Stadium and classrooms, she said. The Iowa Games will be using every piece of open land, including the Rec.

It is estimated that the university will make about $3 million this summer. A bulk of the revenue goes to the units that were used, Szopinski said. Conference services charges a conference fee to cover its expenses.

“It’s not all about money,” she said. “Our long-term benefit is showcasing the university, city and state.”

There are numerous attractions that draw people to Ames because it offers a safe community, a beautiful campus and great food, Szopinski said.

“We are fortunate to have a community that understands the conferences and the large crowds, and that makes people feel welcome here and want to come back,” she said.

Iowa State has more than 8,000 beds, which makes it economical and affordable to come here, she said.

The residence halls office works with conference services to coordinate on-campus housing and dining services, said Martha Royer, residence hall office coordinator.

Events of all sizes will be taking place this summer.

Szopinski said some of the main events are the 2001 Just Eliminate Lies summit, the Iowa Shrine All-Star football game, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Iowa Games.

“This is a lighter summer as far as numbers,” Szopinski said. “But it is still a good year. We could be doing a lot more.”

Szopinski believes there are more educational resources that Iowa State can provide.

“We need to make better utilization of the knowledge Iowa State has to offer,” she said. “We should integrate faculty expertise with conference opportunities.”

May 24-26: Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games

June 14-17: PEO

June 19-22: Des Moines Principals

July 6-8: Alpha Phi Omega Leadership Training

July 6-8: Color Guard Camp

July 11-14: Wisconsin Evangelical Luteheran Synod (WELS)

July 16-28: Iowa Shrine All-Star Football Game

July 16-18: National Cheerleading Association

July 20-21: Iowa Games

July 23-26: National Cheerleading Association

July 24-26: 2001 JEL (Just Eliminate Lies) Summit

July 28 – August 3: Iowa Department of Human Rights Youth Leadership Forum

July 30 – August 5: Lambda Chi Alhpa Fraternity

July 31 – August 3: Universal Cheerleading Association