The Partnership Hosts Successful 38th Annual DMDC Trip

Greater Des Moines (DSM) can be proud of its efforts throughout the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s 38th annual trip to Washington, D.C. Representing one of the nation’s largest Chamber of Commerce D.C. fly-ins, DMDC attendees promoted regional policy priorities and economic development plans.

DMDC Priorities and Highlights

Throughout the three-day trip, DMDC participants met with members of Iowa’s Congressional delegation and their staffs, members from the Trump Administration and a variety of thought leaders from multiple different organizations. The Partnership further hosted Congressional staff meetings addressing policy priorities of DSM including agbiotechnology, conservation and flood mitigation, education, infrastructure funding, trade, immigration, quality of life initiatives and healthcare.

Attendees also heard from a wide range of keynote speakers including U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R) of Arkansas, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D) of Connecticut and George Sifakis, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Liaison at the White House.

Among many highlights of the 2017 trip was the opening night Congressional Reception hosted by the Embassy of Canada. In addition to our participants who flew into D.C. for the event, the reception attracted more than 400 people including Iowa’s U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, Congressman David Young, and State Senator Rob Hogg. In addition, staff members from all six Iowa Congressional offices and multiple staff members from the Trump Administration attended. The fact that so many people with such a wide variety of backgrounds attended the reception speaks the networking capability The Partnership brings to the table. Many great connections were made at the Embassy and we look forward to new business ideas and community opportunities that will no doubt be hatched as a result of people collaborating in such a meaningful way.   

See more highlights from the trip by searching for the #DMDC2017 hashtag on social media.

Getting involved in the legislative process is one of the most important things a business and community leader can do.  No one will tell your story for you, so it is incumbent upon you to tell it. The DMDC trip is one of many ways The Partnership connects its members to influential policymakers on both sides of the political aisle. Taking advantage of those opportunities to share your story will have a positive impact on your business and community.

Special Note: Thank you to our DMDC 2017 sponsors: Shazam (Presenting Sponsor)

Prairie Meadows, Wells Fargo, Nyemaster Good P.C. The Weitz Company, DART, Innovate Iowa, Delta Dental, Principal, Policy Works, Brown Winick Law Firm, Davis Brown Law Firm, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and Des Moines University.

2018 DMDC Trip

Planning is already underway for next year’s DMDC trip! Save the date for May 9-11, 2018! Find information on attending next year and learn more about our public policy process at DSMpartnership.com/publicpolicy.   

Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is a consensus driven, issues based organization.  Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce and more than 6,000 Regional Business Members, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes Des Moines as the best place to build a business, a career and a future.