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Out to Lunch Returns with Extended Season from May - August

May 5, 2022

DOWNTOWN DES MOINES, IOWA (May 5, 2022) – Starting Wednesday, May 18, visitors, residents and employees alike will have another chance to step out of the office and into the streets of Downtown Des Moines (DSM) to soak up some sun and enjoy lunch from local food trucks and music by participating in the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s most extensive Out to Lunch series ever

Out to Lunch is a series of mid-day summer events that pop up in various Downtown DSM locations. The series was designed to create a unique and fun opportunity for Downtown DSM employees and residents to socialize with others in vibrant, outdoor Downtown DSM settings with food and live music. Out to Lunch is scheduled for 12 Wednesdays from mid-May – early August.

“We heard in the DSM Workforce Trends & Occupancy Study that employees are seeking experiences like Out to Lunch to create meaningful opportunities to socialize in-person with fellow coworkers,” said Tiffany Tauscheck, Chief Operations Officer at the Greater Des Moines Partnership and President of Downtown DSM, Inc. “Our Downtown business community has responded with an eagerness to host Out to Lunch this year, so much so that we extended the Out to Lunch series considerably this summer to create more opportunities for people to connect while enjoying live music and lunch from local food trucks.”

The event series will kick off with a Principal Charity Classic-themed event at the Principal campus on High Street from 7th to 9th Street and will feature multiple local food vendors along with live music from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Out to Lunch events are free to attend and open to the public.

The 2022 Out to Lunch location schedule is as follows:

  • May 18 – Principal — High St. from 7th to 9th St.
  • May 25 – Near Kum & Go – 15th St. from Grand to Locust St.
  • June 1 – Near Wells Fargo & Co. – Cherry St. from 8th to 9th St.
  • June 8 – Near Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa – 12th St. from Grand to Locust St.
  • June 15 – Near Ruan Companies / Bankers Trust
  • June 22 – Near Dotdash Meredith
  • June 29 – Near City of Des Moines – 401 Robert D. Ray Rd
  • July 6 – Near Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
  • July 13 – Near Mercy College
  • July 20 – Near EMC Insurance Companies
  • July 27 – Near ISG August 3 – Near Nationwide

“We are excited to be a sponsor for the Out to Lunch season and to welcome people to our campus in Downtown DSM for the first event on May 18 where they can enjoy golf-themed activities and learn more about the upcoming Principal Charity Classic,” said Jo Christine Miles, Director, Principal Foundation and Community Relations. “We encourage folks in Downtown DSM – workers, residents and visitors alike – to attend the entire Out to Lunch season to rediscover Downtown DSM, enjoy local food trucks and live music.

“Out to Lunch is a great opportunity to connect with coworkers, support local, and attract mid-day visitors and others to Downtown Des Moines,” said Kathryn Kunert, Vice President, Economic Connections and Integration, at MidAmerican Energy Company. “We look forward to seeing this extended spring and summer series add a vibrant experience to Downtown each week.”

Information on additional events, including location specifics for each date, and participating food vendors and entertainers will be released throughout the season. For more information and updates. visit downtownDSMUSA.com/outtolunch.

Out to Lunch is produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and sponsored by: series sponsors MidAmerican Energy Company, Principal and Operation Downtown; and host site sponsors Bankers Trust, City of Des Moines, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), Dotdash Meredith, EMC Insurance Companies, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, ISG, Kum & Go, Mercy College, Nationwide, Ruan Companies, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa and Wells Fargo & Co.

Businesses and organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Jerrica Marshall, Downtown Placemaking Manager at The Partnership.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.

About Downtown, DSM, Inc.

Downtown DSM, Inc. is part of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and is dedicated to ensuring the continued growth of Downtown Des Moines (DSM). A strong region needs a strong Downtown. Downtown DSM, Inc. leads efforts to drive development, placemaking and events in Downtown DSM. It promotes a strong Downtown through integration of retail, restaurants, businesses, housing, events and placemaking.