Future World Of Work Summit Announces Keynote Presenters

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Sept. 6, 2023) – The Future World of Work Summit has announced three keynote presenters. The Summit is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 5 at the UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Conference & Learning Center at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. The Summit will inform, educate and inspire the business and education community in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The event will highlight ways employers and educators can adapt and thrive in the work and learning ecosystems of tomorrow. 

Keynote presentations include: 

• Josh Wright: Who's Going to Do the Work? Regional Talent Development in the Age of Fewer Workers: Wright serves as Executive Vice President of the Community Division at Lightcast (formerly Emsi Burning Glass), the global leader in labor market analytics. His team works with more than 800 economic development, workforce development, site selection, and commercial real estate organizations in the US and Canada. These organizations use Lightcast’s real-time insights on local job markets to drive economic prosperity in their communities and unlock new possibilities in the labor market. Wright regularly presents and writes on data best practices and emerging trends in economic development, workforce development, and corporate talent and location decisions. 
• Christopher Porter and Chris Snider: Finding the Fulcrum: Leveraging AI to Balance Efficiency and Responsibility: Porter is the Director of the Artificial Intelligence Program at Drake University and an Associate Professor of Computer Science. Prior to coming to Drake in 2016, Porter held postdoctoral positions at the University of Paris Diderot and the University of Florida. He received a joint PhD in mathematics and philosophy in 2012 and an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Gonzaga University in 2003. Snider is an Associate Professor at Drake University. He teaches social media and digital media courses to both undergrad and graduate students. Prior to joining Drake, Chris was a journalist in Baltimore, St. Louis and DSM. He moved to DSM in 2005 to start Juice magazine. Chris teaches workshops and gives presentations on topics ranging from social media strategy to personal branding to generative AI. He writes a weekly email newsletter on what’s new in social media. 

Summit programming will also include a ‘Future of Higher Education’ panel featuring post-secondary presidents. Breakout sessions will include information on best practices and insights into the future of learning through work-based learning and the future of flexibility in the workplace. Sessions will also cover the future of technology and workforce trends in healthcare, manufacturing and insurance.   

“We are excited to welcome leading subject matter experts as keynote presenters at the Future World of Work Summit,” said Jenae Sikkink, Senior Vice President of Talent Development at The Partnership. “Josh Wright, Christopher Porter and Chris Snider will give attendees insights into some of the most pressing issues regarding the future of work.” 

Additionally, the winners of the Future World of Work Innovation Awards will be announced during the event. The Future World of Work Innovation Awards will honor and celebrate the success of organizations that have championed innovative efforts in talent attraction and retention to grow and develop the DSM region. 

The Future World of Work Summit is sponsored by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, Sammons Financial Group, Iowa Workforce Development, The Palmer Group and Des Moines Area Community College.  

Register for the event here. 

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 Investors, 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 DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.