Affiliate Chamber Spotlight: 2020 Urbandale Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Name + Website
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce
Elected leader for 2020
Michele Reeves, Board Chair
Professional Staff Leader of the Chamber
Tiffany Menke, President
Number of Members
725 Members
How Does a Business Join Your Chamber?
The easiest way to join is on our website, or call the chamber office at (515) 331-6855 and speak with Nancy Zwickel, the membership director.
What Inspired You to First Get Involved with Your Chamber?
Vision Park originally joined to help Melissa Billings, OD attract patients to start her practice. When I started at Vision Park, I stepped into her Chamber role because I was looking for a way to meet people within the Urbandale community, as well market Vision Park. We know that we grow being involved with the chamber.
What is a Signature Offering of Your Chamber?
As the only five-star accredited chamber in Greater Des Moines (DSM), we have a diverse benefit package for all sizes and types of businesses. Our signature annual event is the Central Iowa Business Conference, which attracts business executives from across Iowa to connect with each other and learn from national and local speakers.
During this unprecedented time, we wanted to ensure we focused on online sales so we launched centraliowa.shopwhereilive.com to provide members with a free opportunity to sell products and services online for free.
What is Your Chamber’s Biggest Accomplishment in the Past 12 Months?
The Urbandale Chamber has pivoted during the pandemic to personally assist and educate businesses on funding, proclamation interpretation and best practices. Launching centraliowa.shopwhereilive.com for members to generate revenue was also a major accomplishment that has generated revenue for members during the shutdown and beyond.
What Initiative/Project Are You Looking Forward to in the Upcoming Year?
Our Central Iowa Business Conference was postponed to Monday, September 14, 2021, however we are excited to be working with the same great lineup of speakers, including Henry Winkler, Jack Stack and Justin Patton.
What Partnership Tools/Resources Have Been Most Beneficial to Your Chamber Members?
The regional effort to market DSM and the businesses that make up the Greater Des Moines Partnership help to drive business into the doors of all businesses throughout DSM.
What Are Your Upcoming Events?
The Urbandale Chamber calendar is full of opportunities, both virtual and in-person. The complete list can be found at uniquelyurbandale.com.
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the fourth largest regional Chamber of Commerce in the nation. Learn more about Partnership Affiliate Chambers, browse the Membership Directory and read additional Affiliate Chamber spotlights.
Michele Reeves
Michele Reeves is the office manager at Vision Park where she works with five optometrists in two locations. She received her bachelor of business degree from William Penn and is married with three adult children. Michele serves as the 2020 chair of the board for the Urbandale Chamber.