New interior signage was unveiled at Casey’s Center today in an event marking the official name change after 20 years.

Casey’s General Stores last year was awarded a 10-year naming rights agreement for the 17,000-seat arena for $18.3 million. Wells Fargo previously had the naming rights to the arena, in a 20-year, $11.5 million deal that ended June 30.

Crews have spent the past month swapping out the large exterior signs, and the past several months making cosmetic changes to the interior.

Chris Connolly, general manager of the Iowa Events Center said in an email that the new Casey’s Center food and beverage stands, which will sell Casey’s pizza and other products, are ready for the next arena event this month. Outside, the signage is updated except for painting the Casey’s Center sign on the roof, which was delayed due to recent inclement weather. He said they hope to have it completed by July 4.

“I can tell you this, naming rights deals aren’t easy, but from day one, Casey’s has been engaged, and they wanted this. They wanted to be a partner, and this is much more than branding and signage,” he said.

Connolly thanked Wells Fargo for its 20-year run with the arena and Bordenaro’s Pizzeria for selling pizza at the arena for more than 12 years. He also thanked Polk County for its continued support and maintenance of the building.

“This is a 20-year[-old] building that does not look like it’s 20 years old, and that’s because the county continues to invest back into this arena in a time where [hosting events is a] super aggressive and competitive [industry],” he said.

Darren Rebelez, president and CEO of Casey’s, said the company is proud of its Iowa roots and the naming rights to Casey’s Center is a celebration of that.

“I can’t think of a better way to deepen our connection here in Iowa and the Midwest,” Rebelez said at the event. “As the third-largest convenience chain and fifth-largest pizza chain, Casey’s continues to evolve into a bigger, better version of ourselves and for us, everything starts with our purpose to make life better for our communities and guests every day.”

In Iowa, Casey’s employs 11,000 people working across 550 stores, a distribution center and its headquarters in Ankeny.

“There’s so much momentum happening in Des Moines, I’m proud that Casey’s is at the center of it,” Rebelez said.

Nationally, Casey’s employs 49,000 people in 19 states. Rebelez mentioned the company’s recent major acquisition, which has expanded its presence into the Florida panhandle.

“We recently made a large acquisition, and part of that has included some stores in the panhandle of Florida, and I was just amazed to see all the folks visiting there from the Midwest who were excited that Casey’s was coming to the panhandle and being able to get their favorite pizza while they’re on vacation,” he said.

Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy said the Casey’s naming rights deal illustrates the business community’s support of Central Iowa.

“What’s unique about our venue is its local essence,” McCoy said. “We now have an Iowa Events Center owned by Polk County. And our taxpayers have provided for all the local companies that are part of this collaboration. Community Choice at the convention center, EMC Insurance this year is our locally owned naming rights partner of the EMC Expo Center, and now Casey’s as naming rights partner of the Casey’s Center. This is a show of strength of our local businesses supporting a vital part of our community fabric in Iowa Events Center and our Central Iowa region once again.”