Carry the Spirit of DMDC Collaboration Throughout 2023

The Greater Des Moines Partnership recently held its 2023 DMDC trip to Washington, D.C. in May. This is always a special trip for our attendees, and this year we had more than 170 business, civic and community leaders join the trip. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but I have been on this trip in the past and heard from participants that the trip’s spirit of bipartisanship and regional collaboration were on full display.

As I shared on a video message during the trip, our region punches way above its weight class because we work together. The proof is seen in the success that Greater Des Moines (DSM) has experienced over the past many years.

In a time of polarization, our community and the leaders within it have the opportunity to continue to find common ground solutions and focus on what unites us. We can work together, as one region with one voice, to make DSM as strong as it can be.

The DMDC trip is successful in large part due to the connections that happen on the trip. People meet for the first time or strengthen relationships with fellow leaders on the trip. It makes me wonder: How can we carry over this same spirit in the business of our day-to-day lives in DSM?

Upcoming Events 

A couple of recent events in June demonstrated this spirit of collaboration.

First, we hosted the Iowa Legislative Slow-Pitch Softball Game at Principal Park following the conclusion of the Iowa Cubs game. Iowa Republican and Democratic legislators faced off in a fun, lighthearted game, with event proceeds benefiting the Puppy Jake Foundation and the Iowa Food Bank Association. After tallying the final total, the game raised $50,000 for the teams' chosen charities. What a great example of what we can accomplish together.

Also in June, we worked with our 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce to host Chamber Night at the Iowa Cubs. Our Affiliate network represents regional collaboration at its best. This night is always a reminder and celebration of the fact that our entire region is stronger because we work together across jurisdictional boundaries.

Let’s keep the spirit of collaboration strong. I encourage you to meet someone for coffee who you don’t know or would like to get to know better. Talk about how you can work together on something mutually beneficial for your business or organization. Perhaps even more importantly, talk about how you can collaborate on something to improve or enhance our community.

Together, we can continue to do something greater in Greater Des Moines.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership Board is made up of Greater Des Moines (DSM) leaders and industry experts. The Board is united in driving economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region.