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Greater Des Moines Partnership Announces Pitch Competition And Program Details For Upcoming Small Business Success Summit

February 14, 2023

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 14, 2023) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s sixth annual Small Business Success Summit will take place on Wednesday, March 22 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the FFA Center on the DMACC Ankeny campus. Summit participants will have a chance to hear presentations by keynote speakers that will inform and inspire, participate in workshops with fellow business owners in Greater Des Moines (DSM) and engage in in-depth conversations at various workshops and breakout sessions. Anyone who owns or works for a small business, or is active in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, is encouraged to register. 

New this year, The Partnership will offer a Pitch Competition for local entrepreneurs to take place during The Summit. The competition is geared toward business owners or entrepreneurs who seek to establish a new business or grow or expand an existing business in DSM. Applications for the competition close on Sunday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m. Applications are open here. See the Pitch Competition Guidelines for more information. Entrepreneurs chosen for the competition will be notified on Wednesday, March 15. If chosen to compete, a participant would be asked to prepare a three minute pitch to present to a panel of judges at The Summit.  

Confirmed speakers during The Summit are: 

  • Dawnelle Conley, U.S. Small Business Administration and Jodi Essex, CIRAS Apex Accelerator, will provide an overview on supplier diversity and contracting.  
  • Mollie Frideres Smith, MFS Consulting, will discuss small businesses HR strategies. 
  • Christy Jones, Certified Business Coach, Accelerate Action Coach, will discuss how a strong culture leads to a strong team in addition to sales and profit strategies.  
  • Siobhan Spain, Mainframe Studios, will moderate a panel of Iowa creative entrepreneurs who share their experiences as creative business owners. 

Additionally, The Summit will feature a panel discussion on: The Ten Year “Overnight” Success. Panelists will be announced at a later date.  

As previously announced, the event’s keynote speaker is Adam Davidson, award-winning New Yorker writer and co-creator of NPR's “Planet Money.” 

“Anyone who is looking to further grow their established small business or jumpstart their startup business is encouraged to attend the Small Business Success Summit,” said Meg Schneider, Senior Vice President of Business Resources and Community Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “Successful small business owners and entrepreneurs often talk about the importance of working ‘on your business,’ not just ‘in your business.’ This is an opportunity to do work on your business.” 

Costs for The Summit range from $79 for Partnership Investors and Members to $99 for nonmembers. Early bird prices range from $59 for Investors and Members to $79 for nonmembers. Early bird registration for participants is open now through Wednesday, Feb. 22. 

The Small Business Success Summit is sponsored by Aureon, Des Moines Area Community College, City of Ankeny, Purpose Bank, BrownWinick Law Firm, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Iowa, CIRAS Apex Accelerator and Mediacom Communications Corporation. 

Find small business resources and events for entrepreneurs and business owners at www.dsmpartnership.com. If you have any questions regarding the contest or your application, please reach out to Emily McLain at emclain@DSMpartnership.com. 

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.