8 Reasons to Travel to Des Moines This Summer
Our guide to getting the Delta Duck Hunters Expo trip onto the calendar
Getting your whole group on the same page is always a production. Someone’s working, someone’s strapped for cash, and six text messages later you’re stuck with silence or half-hearted “maybes.” But if there’s one summer 2026 weekend that’s worth the coordination effort, it’s July 24 to 26 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Taking place at the Iowa Events Center, the Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo is presented by HEVI-Shot and gives you one last chance to dial in your gear, sharpen your skills, and get questions answered before birds start flying for the 2026-2027 season. Need help convincing the crew to block off their calendars? Here are eight reasons that’ll win them over.
1 - Compare gear in-person before you buy
Online research has opened doors to more products and opinions than ever before. But some purchases simply demand hands-on experience. Waders, boots, calls, motion decoys, jackets, hats — if you’ve been debating a gear upgrade, this is the easiest way to see all the options side-by-side and talk to the people who market them.
In fact, the exhibitor list for 2026 already shows an incredible variety of waterfowling brands, from leaders in the industry to smaller businesses you have yet to discover. Shop names such as Hevi-Shot, TurtleBox, Rig ‘Em Right, Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, Lucky Duck, Excel Boats, and many more, all under one roof.
2 - Expert speakers deliver useful tips and techniques
A lot of shows promise “education,” then deliver someone reading verbatim off a PowerPoint presentation. Delta’s Expo speakers are engaging industry leaders, so you’ll learn from leading voices in waterfowl hunting, wild game cuisine, duck dog training, and more. Pick and choose whichever sessions you think will help you tune up your hunting for the coming season.
If you’ve got a mixed group (the gear junkie, the dog person, the newbie hunter), the stage setup and schedule will help everyone find a topic to help them become a better hunter.
3 - Duck dog lovers have plenty to choose from
For many hunters, their dog is a big part of what makes the season so special. Delta’s Duck Hunters Expo understands that relationship. With dedicated seminars from expert trainers, you’ll receive tips and tricks on training at all ages and skill levels, from puppy foundations to advanced retriever work. Plus, browse dog training vendors, chat with professionals, and see trained dogs hanging out on the show floor. At last year’s Expo, there was even a life-sized duck dog cake!
4 - Fuel up on Iowa-specific cuisine
Iowa has its own unique delicacies, including the Maid-Rite sandwich, breaded pork tenderloin, and Blue Bunny ice cream. Plus, you’ll have time to explore downtown Des Moines restaurants, breweries, sports bars, or any of the six restaurants in the city that have been featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
5 - Calling Championship brings competition, culture, and excitement
Calling culture is hard to explain to non-hunters, and it’s nearly impossible to recreate its energy online. On Saturday of the Expo, talented callers will be competing for the prize of Delta Grand National Champion in the organization’s own double-reed calling championship.
Even if you’re not competing, you won’t want to miss this event. Bring a buddy to show them what “good” calling actually sounds like or sign up yourself for a chance at a cash prize. It’s also a nice midday reset if you want to get off your feet and enjoy competition.
6 - Explore duck hunting heritage
It’s always neat to travel back in time to see old traditions and tools our modern-day products have evolved from. The Expo show floor includes two Delta Waterfowl Hunting Heritage Booths, where you can try your hand at decoy carving, set eyes on a massive punt gun, and explore the deeper traditions of waterfowl hunting.
7 - Win prizes at the Duck Hunters Grand Banquet
Tickets sell out every year for a reason. If you’ve been eyeing a new shotgun or dreaming of a bucket-list hunt, the Grand Duck Hunters Banquet is where those dreams can take flight. Friday evening’s event features live and silent auctions, once-in-a-lifetime hunts, gear, guns, and raffles that give everyone a shot at going home with special items.
Held at the Iowa Event Center, it’s an evening with great food and the opportunity to talk ducks and duck hunting for hours on end.
8 - Downtown Des Moines logistics are easy, even in the heat
The Iowa Events Center is connected to our host hotel (the Hilton Des Moines Downtown) and the greater Des Moines downtown through the Skywalk System, which gives you a comfortable, climate-controlled corridor linking buildings, businesses, and restaurants in the July heat. The Skywalk system covers roughly 40 blocks, including the route to and from the Expo. Some skywalk bridges even have ceilings spanning seven stories high.
This makes it easier to park once and be done if you’re driving for the weekend, or shuttle from the airport to the hotel and get around if you’re flying in.
And if you need one more reason to join the fun at Delta’s Duck Hunters Expo, it’s this: The Duck Hunters Organization™ has deep roots in the area. With 51 chapters of Delta Waterfowl within a 250-mile radius, you’ll be among friends.
“All of the Iowa chapters are pumped we’re bringing the Expo to Des Moines,” said Nic Hampton, Delta regional director for Iowa. “They’re telling everybody — buddies, coworkers, friends, and family — get to Des Moines this July. We’re looking forward to welcoming you all!” — Christy Sweigart
Christy Sweigart is associate editor of Delta Waterfowl.