The Ramada Hotel Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center is a part of Ramada Worldwide, which owns and operates the Ramada brand of hotels that began in 1954 when a group of investors opened its first inn in Flagstaff, Ariz. In 1959, the group adopted the name Ramada , a Spanish word for a shaded resting place , and sold its first franchise. Since then, the Ramada chain has grown to more than 1,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada. The hotel connects to the convention center via a skywalk. It offers complementary high-speed wireless Internet, complimentary access to River Plaza Athletic Club, Red River Steaks & Bbq Restaurant, Red River Lounge, spacious indoor pool, whirlpool, free indoor covered parking, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and a free airport shuttle. The Ramada Hotel Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center is located in Waterloo, Iowa.