Affiliate Chamber Spotlight: Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Name
Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce
Elected leader for 2019
Michele Starkenburg, Chairman of the Board
Professional Staff Leader of the Chamber
Julie Todtz, President/CEO
Number of Members
1,050
What Inspired You to First Get Involved with Your Chamber?
I was drawn to the Ankeny Chamber as a way to help startup business owners achieve their dream, as well as assist existing business owners reach the next level. It is a passion of mine to work with the Ankeny community and its talented individuals who make a difference!
What’s a Signature Offering of Your Chamber?
The Hub Resource Center is a component of Ankeny Alliance. This resource connects experts in the field with new startup businesses. This great resource saves startup businesses time and money! Ankeny Alliance is a partnership of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, Ankeny Economic Development Corporation and the City of Ankeny.
What is Your Chamber’s Biggest Accomplishment in the Past 12 Months?
Ankeny Chamber’s signature event is Ankeny SummerFest. Hosting and executing this event and welcoming more than 50,000 residents and visitors to celebrate the city every July is a huge undertaking each year.
What Initiative/Project Are You Looking Forward to in 2019?
The Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Leadercast event in 2019 that focuses on Leading Healthy Teams. This event was very successful and we look forward to expanding the event in 2020 to include Women’s Leadercast.
What Are Your Upcoming Events?
Corks & Caps
Corks & Caps is a wine and craft beer tasting event to be held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, September 22 at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion.
Casino Night
Casino Night, a night of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and casino games, will be held on from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, September 28 at Ankeny Regional Airport’s Exec 1 Aviation.
Fall Ball Golf Outing
The 2019 Fall Ball Golf Outing is a favorite of many golfers to be held on Wednesday, October 2 at Briarwood Club of Ankeny with a shot gun start. Entry fees for the event include lunch, evening hors d’oeuvres and 18 holes of golf with a cart.
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.
Julie Todtz
Julie Todtz is president/CEO director of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce. Julie has been leading the Ankeny Chamber for over 18 years, growing the organization from a staff of two to seven professional employees. Ankeny Chamber membership has grown from 300 members in 2002 to more than 1,000 today.