Affiliate Chamber Spotlight: Des Moines Downtown Chamber
Chamber name: Des Moines Downtown Chamber
Elected leader for 2017: JR Textor, Hubbell Realty Company
Professional staff leader of the Chamber: Jennifer Chittenden, Executive Director
Number of members: 310
Des Moines Downtown Chamber Q&A
Why should someone join your Chamber?
The Downtown Chamber is focused on providing information and resources to promote a civil environment of knowledge sharing and an understanding of economic issues and their impact on Downtown Des Moines (DSM). 
Businesses, nonprofits and individuals join the Downtown Chamber to take advantage of the award-winning programming and professional development offered by the chamber, in addition to fostering and nurturing business-to-business relationships. Over 125 individuals volunteer on Downtown Chamber committees and task groups, which offers them a direct connection to community involvement.
What is your Chamber’s biggest accomplishment in the past 12 months?
On Tuesday, July 18, 2017, the Downtown Chamber was recognized on a national level as a Chamber of the Year finalist at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Professionals (ACCE) annual conference. The Chamber’s Downtown DIG (Development Insights Group) and Leadership Education and Advancement Pipeline (LEAP)™ program series were key influences for this prestigious recognition.
Any initiative or project that you are looking forward to in 2017?
The Downtown Chamber launched its first Total Resource Campaign, which takes place Thursday, Oct. 5 – Thursday, Nov. 9. This method of connecting members with 2018 hosting, sponsorships and visibility opportunities available through the chamber engages over 50 volunteers, and will help springboard the chamber into its next phases of growth. The campaign ties into the Downtown Chamber’s 10-year anniversary, which happens next summer.
What upcoming events should people watch for?
The Leadership Education and Advancement Pipeline (LEAP)™ series continues to evolve. In 2018, the series will begin again in March and continue through December like usual. But this time the December program will be revised into a half-day conference format to add more value for the attendees and community. Additionally, each November the Downtown Chamber anticipates what projects and initiatives will be happening in Downtown DSM in the next year and reveals them at the “Top 10 Things to Happen” panel discussion. The content is always informative and insightful. Looking back to the first program in 2014, so much of what was discussed in the room that day has now already happened.
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.
JR Textor
JR's Textor's career with Hubbell began in 2006 with CBRE|Hubbell Commercial. This experience as a commercial broker gave him the skills to provide brokerage services with the highest level of expertise throughout all aspects of the transaction. While serving as a commercial broker, JR was appointed as the exclusive listing agent for the Hubbell portfolio of properties consisting of approximately 3.5 million square feet of real estate in Greater Des Moines (DSM). As a result of his continued success, he was hired on as an account executive in 2009 and was quickly promoted to commercial leasing manager in 2011. He also became a commercial property manager in January 2014.