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(DUBUQUE, IA – October 6, 2025) Oak View Group, operators of the Grand River Center, are proud to announce that the Grand River Center won the 2025 Northstar Stella Award for the second consecutive year in a row, earning the gold medal for Best Convention Center in the Midwest. This recognition highlights the Grand River Center’s 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, DMOs/CVBs, and DMCs. This year’s honorees were chosen from more than 8,000 votes and 1,000 nominations, standing 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 consistency and commitment we have built here in Dubuque,” said General Manager Ryan Bonifas. “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.” 
Earning the 2025 Northstar Stella Award for Best Convention Center in the Midwest for the second consecutive year is a powerful testament to the Grand River Center team’s consistent drive to excellence. This recognition highlights our dedication to delivering exceptional experiences for every client and guest. This honor reflects the strength of our team, whose commitment to excellence shines through in every event. From tailored event planning and exceptional culinary offerings to advanced technology, sustainability efforts, and seamless guest service, the Grand River Center consistently delivers experiences that exceed expectations. As one of the premier venues in the region, the Grand River Center takes pride in setting the benchmark for service, hospitality, and event execution. This back-to-back honor not only celebrates past achievements but also drives the 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. 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." Said Keith Rahe, President & CEO of Travel Dubuque. 

About Oak View Group 
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.