Of conferences I've attended, this venue was avera...

Of conferences I've attended, this venue was average. It was clean and had appropriate technology for presentations. Rooms were comfortable, access to restrooms was adequate. As someone with special dietary needs, however, I was unimpressed with the food service. Gluten free apparently equals the same meal naked, so sauces or seasoning. Also, there was no substitution for dessert. I realize dessert isn't a necessity, but at $40 a plate, I expected more than just... nothing. I'm not a big eater, but portion sizes were on the smaller size, don't know if they are accounting on people filling up on dinner rolls (which I obviously could not have). I know Ames is not a large metropolitan area, but I did not expect them to be so behind the times.