2026 Programming
Throughout the day, attendees can choose from breakout sessions focused on economic development, housing, talent, innovation, small business, placemaking and regional collaboration.
Regional Summit Agenda
Check-In and Networking
8 a.m.: Check-in and Networking
Opening Session
9 – 9:10 a.m.: Welcome Remarks (Junior Ballroom)
- Chris Costa, Partnership Board Chair
- Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership
9:10 – 9:35 a.m.: Economic Development in Iowa (Junior Ballroom)
- A conversation on Iowa’s economic development landscape will reflect on recent successes, including Vylor’s decision to establish its global headquarters in Greater Des Moines, and look ahead to opportunities for future economic growth.
- Fireside Chat: Debi Durham, Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority; Tiffany Tauscheck, The Partnership
9:35 – 10:35 a.m.: AI and the Future of the Regional Economy: Keynote Speaker: Dominic Williams, McKinsey & Company (Junior Ballroom)
Gain insights from McKinsey & Company’s research on generative AI and economic growth and explore how workforce trends and place-based strategies shape long-term prosperity.
Networking Break
10:35 – 10:45 a.m.: Networking Break
Enjoy snacks from Partnership Regional Chamber Members, Spark DSM vendors and Downtown Farmers' Market vendors.
Morning Session
10:45 – 11:15 a.m.: Past, Present and Future: Legacy Leaders Panel (Junior Ballroom)
Hear from long-time community leaders about how regional collaboration has led to success over multiple decades and ways the next generation of leaders can carry forward the spirit of working together for a strong region.
Panelists will include:
- Steve Lacy, Retired CEO, Meredith
- Connie Wimer, Founder and Chair of Business Publications Corporation
- Mike McCoy, Retired CEO, NCMIC
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: A Collaborative Approach to Water (Junior Ballroom)
Expert panelists will discuss how public, private and nonprofit partners are working together towards water solutions, and how we can collectively continue to strengthen partnerships.
Panelists will include:
- Hannah Inman, Great Outdoors Foundation
- Tami Madsen, Central Iowa Water Works
- Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa Department of Agriculture
Lunch and Economic Impact Awards
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.: Lunch Service (Junior Ballroom)
12:30 – 1:15 p.m.: Economic Impact Awards (Junior Ballroom)
Networking Break
1:15 – 1:30 p.m.: Networking Break & Transition to Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session Block #1
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.: Breakout Session #1
Economic Development: The State of Site Selection (Room 101)
Discover what site selectors are looking for in 2026 and the factors influencing company location decisions.
Moderator: Kathryn Kunert, MidAmerican Energy Company
Panelists will include:
- Justin Erickson, The Brookshire Company
- David Schrock, NAI Global
The Cost of Growth: Housing Affordability and Workforce Access (Room 102)
Discuss the connection between housing affordability, workforce access and regional growth, including innovative approaches to addressing these challenges.
Moderator: Kaity Patchett, Capital Crossroads
Panelists will include:
- Steve Bruere, Peoples Company
- Matt Daniels, Origin Homes
- Toby O'Berry, Polk County Housing Trust Fund
- Rachel Ong, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
Skills-Based Hiring — Why it Matters and How Employers are Leading the Way | Sponsored by Federal Home Loan Bank Des Moines (Room 103)
Employers from the Employer Skills-Based Hiring Series will share regional workforce trends, practical hiring strategies and lessons from putting skills-based practices into action.
Moderator: Nyra Bottley, Federal Home Loan Bank Des Moines
Panelists will include:
- Kim Bustamante, Goodwill of Central Iowa
- Ryan Ford, The Mutual Group
One Partnership: Healthy Communities (Room 104)
Health care, business and community leaders will discuss how cross-sector partnerships can improve health outcomes and contribute to healthier communities.
Moderator: Lucas Casey, Des Moines University
Panelists will include:
- Vanessa Freitag, MercyOne
- Laura Jackson, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Sheild
- David Stark, UnityPoint Health
Regional Small Business Support: Creating Pathways for Business Success in our Communities (Room 105)
Learn how business owners and community leaders can work together to create businesses with long-term staying power.
Moderator: Emily McLain, The Partnership
Panelists will include:
- John Hall, Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce
- Alie Muller-Heit, Thistles Flower Market
- Tricia Rivas, Trixies Salon & Spa
Placemaking and Tourism: The Case for Making Greater Des Moines the Destination (Room 106)
Rural, urban and suburban leaders will share perspectives on how tourism and placemaking can support economic development and talent attraction.
Moderator: Alicia Chilton, The Partnership
Panelists will include:
- Karen Eischen, Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance
- Trina Flack, Catch Des Moines
- Brian Mulcahy, Des Moines International Airport
Networking Break
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.: Networking Break
Enjoy snacks from Partnership Regional Chamber Members, Spark DSM vendors and Downtown Farmers' Market vendors.
Breakout Session #2
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.: Breakout Session #2
Deep Dive into the Data Behind Industry Decisions | Sponsored by Estes Construction (Room 101)
Greater Des Moines has intentionally focused on several high growth industries that drive regional competitiveness, investment and job creation. This session will take a look at Greater Des Moines’ sectors where momentum is the strongest and what opportunities lie ahead.
Moderator: Matthew Mitchell, Bâton Global
Panelists will include:
- Matthew Bisignano, Casey's
- Kate Guess, Vermeer Corporation
- Bob Haus, Corteva
- Aaron Pearce, Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Group
AI in Action: Shaping the Future of Business and Work | Sponsored by Deloitte (Room 102)
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, compete and create value. This breakout session will explore practical insights into how businesses and communities can navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by AI.
Session Leader: Brennan Woodruff, Deloitte
Global Talent: A Roundtable Discussion | Sponsored by Federal Home Loan Bank Des Moines (Room 103)
Evaluate the role of global talent in supporting regional workforce needs and how employers are successfully hiring, onboarding and retaining international and globally sourced talent. The session will feature a moderated fireside chat followed by small-group discussions focused on practical strategies, peer learning and shared experiences.
Moderator: Mak Sućeska, Global Neighbors, Polk County
- Clayton Boeyink, Lutheran Services in Iowa
- Marcia Treichel, JPMorganChase
Affiliate Chambers in Action (Room 104)
Affiliate Chamber leaders will share innovative efforts underway in their communities that align with key themes identified in the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Horizon report. Hear real-world examples of how communities are responding to emerging trends and addressing local challenges.
Moderator: Jeremiah Terhark, Chair of The Partnership's Affiliate Presidents' Council, Webspec
Panelists will include:
- Rachael Kinnick, Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce
- Sarah Pugh, Madison County Chamber of Commerce
- Gina Wright, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce
Regional Small Business Support: Customer Discovery in a Changing World (Room 105)
Small business owners, entrepreneurs and marketing managers can learn how to make their marketing efforts more effective, increase brand awareness and grow through customer discovery.
Panelists will include:
- Mike Irwin and Jeff White, Flynn Wright
One Region: Core Functions of the Innovation Ecosystem (Room 106)
Investigate innovation and its role in the regional economy.
Moderator: Tej Dhawan, Plains Angels
Panelists will include:
- Jim Lewis, University of Iowa
- David Spalding, Iowa State University
- Chase Spencer, Drake University
Networking Break
3:15 – 3:30 p.m.: Networking Break
Afternoon Session
3:30 – 4:15 p.m.: Mayors Panel (Junior Ballroom)
Learn about our civic leaders’ goals, the opportunities they see for their communities and how we can work together to help the region thrive.
Moderator: Tiffany Tauscheck, The Partnership
Panelists will include:
- Mayor Dan Carver, Carlisle
- Mayor Paula Dierenfield, Johnston
- Mayor Sara Kurovski, Pleasant Hill
- Mayor Curt Thornberry, Panora
Additional speakers, breakout sessions and agenda details will be announced in the coming weeks. Programming is subject to change.
Closing Remarks
4:15 – 4:30 p.m.: Closing Remarks (Junior Ballroom)
- Tiffany Tauscheck, The Partnership
- Alex Lynch, The Partnership
Happy Hour and Networking
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Happy Hour/Networking (Junior Ballroom and Foyer)
Economic Impact Awards
As part of the Regional Summit, The Partnership’s annual Economic Impact Awards recognize companies for their contributions to the economic vitality of Greater Des Moines through investment, job creation, innovation and workforce development.
The Economic Impact Award recipients are:
- American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company®
- Holmes Murphy
- Lawmark Capital Inc.
- Merchants Bonding Company
- Tension Envelope & Print
- United Mutual Insurance Association
- Elevator (Jennings Kallen Advisors Entrepreneurial Award)
- Vylor (Strategic Headquarters Investment Award)
Learn more about the 2026 Economic Impact Award recipients and how their investments are strengthening Greater Des Moines.
Join Us at the 2026 Regional Summit
Connect with leaders from across Greater Des Moines, gain insights into the trends affecting the region and be part of conversations about what's next.