March 2026 Affiliate Basic Training
Travel and Accommodations
Places to be
March 6, Goats On The Go® Affiliate Basic Training and All-Affiliate Social
Towneplace Suites, 1523 S Dayton Place, Ames, Iowa.
March 7, Goats On The Go® Affiliate Conference
Towneplace Suites, 1523 S Dayton Place, Ames, Iowa.
Getting Here
Towneplace Suites in Ames is easy to find, not far from the intersection of Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 30.
Flying in? The best airport to use is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), about a 30 minute drive from Ames. Direct flights to DSM may be limited, but it is very convenient to fly into and out of.
Getting Around
Des Moines Airport offers several car rental options. If you’re flying in, we highly recommend that you rent a car for the quick ride north to Ames. Ride sharing is possible with other affiliates, but you’ll have to make those arrangements on your own. The Goats On The Go® Affiliate Facebook Page is a good place to start. Uber and Lyft are available in both Ames and Des Moines, but are somewhat limited.
Hertz (515) 256-5839
Budget (515) 287-2612
Alamo (844) 816-4385
Enterprise (844) 996-0646
Avis (515) 256-5623
Getting some Rest
A block of rooms with a pre-negotiated rate of $124 per night has been reserved for Goats On The Go® affiliates at TownePlace Suites. Rooms are available for Thursday night, March 5, Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7. This will be your most convenient option, since the Training & Conference will be held on the ground floor of the hotel. Let’s take over Towneplace suites with Goats On The Go® affiliates for the weekend!
There are many other hotels in all price ranges within a short drive of the conference center.
getting Some grub
Other than snacks, meals are on your own both days. There are plenty of dining options in the area. Ames is simple to navigate, and traffic is typically easy to manage. Here are some local favorites.
El Azteca — An easy stroll from Towneplace Suites. Family owned, authentic-ish Mexican food. Not fast food, but both in-house and take out service are usually very quick. A Steele family favorite!
Dublin Bay — A three minute drive from Towneplace Suites. Irish pub with Irish and American fare, they have great fish & chips and maybe the best burger in town. Extensive beer list.
Hickory Park — A two minute drive from Towneplace Suites. Barbecue and Midwest comfort food in a fun environment. Great for families and bigger groups. Huge menu of entrees and made-to-order ice cream desserts.
Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company — Ridiculously cheesy pizza on house-made crust. Hole-in-the-wall feel in downtown Ames. Not particularly fast, especially when busy, but it’s worth it.
Rico’s Tacos — Food truck with authentic tacos and other Mexican favorites. No matter the weather, people are willing to wait outside for Rico’s!
The Mucky Duck Pub — Dive bar with British-style old ale. Great fish & chips.
Jethro’s BBQ — Three minute drive from the Towneplace Suites. BBQ connoisseurs would probably rate Jethro’s over Hickory Park.
Cornbred Barbecue — Upscale, creative take on BBQ in downtown Ames in remodeled train depot. Occasional live music.