The new Hilton Des Moines Downtown opens today, and it is the only hotel directly connected to the Iowa Events Center, according to a news release. “Des Moines has many development projects in the works, and we know this hotel will play a critical role in supporting the influx of travelers expected to the city,” said Dave Marr, Hilton’s senior vice president and global head of full-service brands. The hotel has 14,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom that opens onto an outdoor terrace. The hotel will also be home to Park Street Kitchen restaurant with an outdoor patio. The restaurant will be led by Chef Nick Marino, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Read our Closer Look on Matt Felling, the hotel’s general manager.