Greater Des Moines Partnership

09/04/2026

Exciting news for our Entrepreneur Field Days series!

The program has received an Aureon Community Development Grant to support free opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect, learn and grow across Greater Des Moines.

Thank you to Aureon for investing in this programming and the entrepreneurs helping build what’s next for our region.

09/04/2026

The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce’s 9th Annual Mentoring for Women Conference is coming up Wednesday, Sept. 9! It’s not too late to secure your spot and join this year’s conference.

Hundreds of women from across Iowa will come together for a day of learning, connection and conversations with women leaders from across the region and beyond. Plus, Capital Crossroads Executive Director Kaity Patchett will be among this year’s panelists, and we’re excited to see her join the conversation.

Learn more and register: https://wdmchamber.org/mentoring-for-women/

09/03/2026

Three Field Days down, and we’re just getting started!

Entrepreneur Field Days has already taken us across Greater Des Moines to learn directly from the entrepreneurs and innovators building, growing and reimagining what’s possible in our region.

• Reimagining Place: North DSM City Townhall — Kuuku Saah of Ntontan RE took us inside the historic North City Hall redevelopment and shared how real estate development can help create new opportunities while keeping community at the center.

• Baking a Sweet Success: Thelma's Treats — Dereck Lewis and Nola Morris shared how Thelma’s grew from a family recipe and local favorite into a nationally recognized brand, along with the lessons they’ve learned building the business along the way.

• Transforming Agriculture with Autonomy: Sabanto Ag — Craig Rupp shared how his roots in agriculture, engineering experience and entrepreneurial mindset came together to build technology that is changing what’s possible on the farm.

Thank you to Kuuku, Dereck, Nola and Craig for sharing your experiences and giving attendees the opportunity to learn alongside you! A special thank you to the JPMorgan Chase team for joining us and sharing remarks in support of Greater Des Moines’ entrepreneurial community.

Entrepreneur Field Days is made possible by the support of JPMorganChase and Principal Financial Group.

09/03/2026

Growth across Greater Des Moines is driven by companies that continue to invest, innovate, create opportunities and build for what’s next.

We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Economic Impact Awards:

• American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co.®
• Elevator Co-Warehousing, recipient of the Jennings Kallen Advisors Entrepreneurial Award
• Holmes Murphy
• Lawmark Capital Inc.
• Merchants Bonding Company
• Tension Envelope & Print
• United Mutual Insurance Association

From capital investment and job creation to entrepreneurship and transformative redevelopment, this year’s honorees are helping drive continued growth across the region. The winners will be recognized at the 2026 Regional Summit on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Learn more about this year’s honorees and register for the Regional Summit: https://ow.ly/Ssnt50ZIWyB

09/01/2026

Economic development is ultimately about people, relationships and a commitment to the communities we serve.

Those are values Jake Smith Smith brings to his new role as Economic Development Manager on our team. Jake joined our team this summer and is working directly with Polk City through a new shared-services model designed to provide additional economic development capacity while supporting the community’s unique goals.

Thank you to the Des Moines Business Record and Michael Crumb for taking the time to introduce Jake to the Greater Des Moines business community.

Jake Smith’s role with the Greater Des Moines Partnership is a new one and is part of a shared-services model with Polk City, a new pilot program the Partnership has launched to extend its economic development skills to its members that may not have that expertise in-house. Smith joined the Partne...

08/31/2026

A little friendly competition for a couple of great causes! Iowa Republican and Democratic legislators took the field at Principal Park on Sunday for the fifth annual Iowa Legislative Slow-Pitch Softball Game, hosted in partnership with Dentons Davis Brown.

Beyond bragging rights, the game brought both sides together to support two nonprofits selected by the teams: Blue Star Mothers of America - Iowa Chapter and the Aiming for a Cure Foundation.

Thank you to the legislators who took the field, our partners and sponsors, and everyone who joined us for another great year of bipartisan competition for a good cause!

08/28/2026

Remember those giant dominoes we told you were coming to Cowles Commons? They’re officially falling into place. Literally! 😎

Setup is underway for Domino Effect by Ingrid Ingrid, opening TOMORROW! Soon, visitors can push the oversized illuminated dominoes and watch color, light and sound ripple through the installation.

Come see it in action through Wednesday, Sept. 30! Domino Effect was brought to Downtown Des Moines in collaboration with Des Moines Performing Arts - DMPA, Operation Downtown and the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Did you miss the announcement? Get the details here: https://ow.ly/KX7o50ZGwpl

08/27/2026

How do you turn a family recipe and a farmers’ market favorite into a nationally recognized brand?

Go behind the scenes at Thelma's Treats for the next Entrepreneur Field Day on Tuesday, Sept. 1! Founder and CEO Dereck Lewis and Chief Brand Officer Nola Morris will share how the company scaled its manufacturing, created its award-winning Little Oven Box and grew nationwide without losing the heart of the business.

Did we mention this event is free to attend AND...yes, Thelma’s Treats will be provided. 😋

Spots are limited so don't miss out! Register here: https://members.dsmpartnership.com/events/register/1631542

Welcome to Greater Des Moines, a vibrant city where everyone can live, work and play.

08/27/2026

Downtown has a new reason to keep quarters in your pocket. 🪙🎨

Mini art vending machines have popped up at five locations across Downtown Des Moines. Drop in four quarters and take home a surprise piece of artwork featuring one of 18 local artists.

Find them now at:
- Black Cat Ice Cream
- Local Bites
- Mainframe Studios
- RAYGUNshirts
- Wellmark YMCA

The artwork, featured artists and machine locations will change over time, so keep following DowntownDSMUSA and Mainframe Studios for clues and updates! The new initiative is a collaboration between Operation Downtown, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Mainframe Studios.

Bring your quarters and see what you discover. Learn more: https://ow.ly/PzEj50ZGckz

08/26/2026

DSM Intern Connection isn't just for summer anymore!

We're creating more opportunities throughout the year for college students and young professionals to keep learning, making connections and getting a better look at what building a career in Greater Des Moines can actually look like.

First up: let’s talk about the part of getting a job nobody really teaches you.

Hear directly from Greater Des Moines hiring managers and interviewers about what happens on the other side of your application, what actually stands out and where candidates may be spending their energy in the wrong places.

There will also be time to ask candid questions and meet people you could very well cross paths with again during your career.

Did we mention this opportunity is free? Register now: https://ow.ly/WUp150ZFJuX.