Greater Des Moines: A Place to Belong

I recently had the pleasure of dining with key leaders from our Greater Des Moines Partnership team and a group visiting from South Dakota that was here to learn more about our region. The conversation buzzed around the table as did laughter, all evidence of connections made that evening. I left energized and content, and I suspect the others did as well. It got me thinking about the impact people can make. There are a lot of engaging, talented people working on our behalf in The Partnership (as witnessed during our dinner) and in businesses and organizations all across Greater Des Moines (DSM). From the bubbly barista who labors over my morning order, to my favorite boutique owner, bakery cashier, and the manager who ALWAYS ends our conversation with, “Thank you, Ma’am!”, their kindness and generous spirit help shape my days. These people are the face and the heart of our community.  

Much of our work at The Partnership is about making meaningful investments in attracting (and celebrating) new residents and young professionals, and providing a pathway for students to become workforce-ready. Our Do Something Greater talent and economic development marketing campaign showcases DSM as a top destination for careers and quality of life. This campaign is helping spread the word about the opportunities and lifestyle our community offers, sparking new interest from prospective talent near and far.  

Since the campaign's launch in 2023, nearly 900,000 users have visited The Partnership's talent and economic development website content, and the campaign is on pace to drive record-breaking traffic again. Last year, we had 390 people join our talent pool prospect list through this campaign, and another 265 people have joined so far this year!  

We are also highlighting stories of residents who have chosen to make this their home and are living the “Do Something Greater” lifestyle. I love the story of Sandrah Nasimiyu, who was born in Kenya, has lived in London, and now calls DSM her home. She is heavily involved in the arts scene and everything else the region has to offer. “It’s where I belong,” she said.  

Inspired by this campaign, The Partnership launched the DSM MVP program. This program is made up of 20 ambassadors — professionals who live, work and thrive all throughout the region. Whether someone is relocating for a job or exploring a future in DSM, our MVPs can offer real-life insights, advice and most importantly, a friendly connection. Think of it as a personal concierge service. We know relationships are at the heart of growth, and this program is one more way we’re helping people feel at home in DSM from day one (or before). Learn more and meet the MVPs here.

There are other initiatives in place to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline, including:   

• Young Professionals Connection (YPC) marks its 25th anniversary this summer. YPC has helped thousands of young professionals connect with each other, grow into leadership roles and make DSM their home base. On July 31, YPC will host its Annual Gala at The Shop DSM with a theme of “Silver Reflections.” Register here. 

• The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective program for high school students has drawn more than double the registrants from the first year, who are now learning more about future career opportunities in DSM.  

• The DSM Intern Connection has 488 registrants from 68 colleges, 22 states and 98 employers, and drew record attendance at its kickoff event. 

Together, these efforts remind us of what makes us different. We invest in people. And we are building an enduring legacy, person by person.