Greater Des Moines Partnership Announces 2016 Strategic Priorities At Annual Dinner
The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s 127th Annual Dinner was held Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 at Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Conference Center in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). The Partnership’s Annual Dinner celebrates the organization’s community and economic development accomplishments over the past year, and it details its strategic priorities for the upcoming year. This year’s speaker was Former NBC Nightly News anchor and Peabody Award winner Tom Brokaw, who addressed a crowd of 1,430 business and community leaders in a speech entitled Big ideas that shaped our past and will define our future.
“I am very pleased with our many accomplishments in 2015, including $563.3 million in new capital investment, 23 local business expansion projects and 12 new companies relocating to Greater Des Moines,” said Gerard D. Neugent, President and CEO of Knapp Properties, Inc. and 2015 Partnership Board Chair. “Of particular note, the announcement of the new Iowa Events Center Convention Hotel will be a game-changer as we continue to attract major events to the region.”
Neugent also presented the 2015 Annual Report in a captivating video, which can be viewed at DSMpartnership.com/AnnualReport.
During the dinner program, Neugent transferred his Chair responsibilities to Jim Brannen, CEO of FBL Financial Group, Inc.
“I am honored to serve as the chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Board in 2016. This is an extraordinary organization, and we are leading growth in an extraordinary community,” Brannen said. “I look forward to realizing our 2016 strategic priorities, including the Capital Crossroads 2.0 regional vision plan, the further advancement of ag/bio-science economic development initiatives with Cultivation Corridor, and continuing to build our talent base in Central Iowa.”
The event also celebrated the diversity and inclusion efforts within the business community. The 2016 Inclusion Award was presented by Claudia Schable, 2015 Chair of The Partnership’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, to two local companies for their extensive diversity efforts: Nationwide (large business), Easter Seals (small/medium-size) for their extensive diversity efforts. Each company prepared a video acknowledgement shared at the dinner program, which can be viewed beginning noon on Tuesday, Jan. 26 by visiting DSMpartnership.com/InclusionAward.
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 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 320 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.