LOCATION

EMC Expo Center
730 4th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, EMC Expo Center at the Iowa Events Center provides enough space to house a whole battalion.

DIRECTIONS & PARKING

Visit the Iowa Events Center page for detailed directions and updated parking information.

AIRPORT

The Des Moines International Airport is just a short 15-minute drive from the venue in downtown Des Moines.

COST

FREE ALL DAY SATURDAY
9am-5:30p, Nov 14

With our mission to bring more people into the fanbase, Codename: Iowa is pleased to provide FREE admission to Assembly Required all day Saturday — thanks to our generous sponsor Skeletron.

TICKETED FRIDAY ACTIVITIES
9am-11pm, Nov 13

For hardcore fans, Assembly Required offers several ticketed activities to enjoy. Individual ticket prices are listed below:

  • Customs Class $75

  • Early Show Floor Access $15

  • Friday Night Group Dinner $45

Please note that some of these activities may also be available as part of a discounted bundle and tickets often sell out quickly.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UPATES WHEN TICKET SALES GO LIVE.

COSTUMES

Cosplaying as your favorite characters is enthusiastically encouraged. (And we highly recommend you capture a photo-op with members of the 234th Tigerhawks costume club.)

Please keep in mind that Assembly Required is a family-friendly event.

Codename: Iowa reserves the right to ask anyone to change their attire and/or remove persons from the event for inappropriate dress.

EARLY SHOW FLOOR ACCESS

4p-7p, Fri, Nov 13 | TICKET REQUIRED

Engage in some pre-mission surveillance (and shopping) with an early access pass to scout the Assembly Required showroom floor on Friday afternoon. Individual tickets available for $15 or as part of a package.

FRIDAY NIGHT GROUP DINNER

8p-10p, Fri, Nov 13 | TICKET REQUIRED

Join the Codename: Iowa crew and your fellow fans at Big Grove Brewery for a pre-mission team building meal. Along with your buffet-style dinner, you’ll receive a variety of Assembly Required ‘26 bonus collectibles.

Space is strictly limited to 100 seats. Cash bar available. Diners with special dietary needs, please contact us.

“KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE” TRIVIA COMPETITION

Sponsored by AFTER ACTION REPORT.
9:30p-11p, Fri, Nov 13 | FREE

After the ticketed Friday Night Group Dinner, join us at Big Grove Brewery for several rounds of G.I. Joe trivia. Those who prove they know the most will be awarded special prizes in recognition of their intellect for intel. FREE and everyone is welcome to attend!

CARTOONS & CEREAL

Sponsored by MIDWEST VINTAGE TOYS
9am-10am, Sat, Nov 14 | FREE

Join us early at Assembly Required for our traditional family-friendly Cartoons & Cereal event. We’ll be serving up bowlfuls of surgery breakfast cereal while three classic episodes of the G.I. Joe animated series play for your enjoyment.

FREE for fans of all ages! Cereal, milk and juice provided.

FANS IN COMMAND
OPERATION: SPACE CHASE

Our Fans In Command poll gave everyone the opportunity to choose the operatives that would join an elite team leading the Assault on Cobra Island. Now it’s up to you to complete the mission.

Every attendee at Assembly Required will receive a free Cobra Island map detailing key mission objectives. Visit booths throughout the showfloor to play unique games and gain special encrypted codewords.


Decrypt the message, uncover the secret code, crack the safe and gain inside intel on COBRA’s plans for the future before anyone else — along with a special Mission Complete ticket good for our elite drawing featuring a prize to be unveiled at the end of the show.


RAFFLES

11:30am, 2:30p & 4:30p, Sat, Nov 14

Throughout the day, we host three raffles featuring a wide-variety of donated prizes — including artwork, action figures, collectibles and more. All proceeds from raffle tickets sold help support next year’s show. Must be present to win.

GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE

4:30p, Sat, Nov 14

Stick around for the grand prize giveaway at the end of the show featuring a one-of-a-kind item inspired by the Assault on Cobra Island theme. All guests receive one free raffle ticket for this drawing so everyone has an equal chance to take home the grand prize. Must be present to win.

SHOW MERCH

Fans can find a variety of original merchandise at the Codename: Iowa booth — including Assembly Required G.E.A.R. Kits tied to that year’s theme, CelPop cardbacks, keychains, stickers, patches, posters, exclusive t-shirt designs and more. Some items you can even preorder for shipping or pickup the day of the show. Our social channels are the best way to get the intel when preorders go up.