Summer events in Des Moines reach pre-pandemic highs Despite events returning, the number of business travelers and conventions hasn't gone back up. However, hotel occupancy is up 25% from last year. Author: Local 5 News Updated: 9:33 PM CDT July 22, 2021 DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa's capital city is finally feeling some sense of normalcy after a year full of shutdowns and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Catch Des Moines says Des Moines is finally started to turn the corner with a summer of events that rivals pre-pandemic levels. Despite events returning this summer, like the Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market, the number of business travelers and conventions hasn't quite caught back up.