Greater Des Moines Recognized as a Global Leader
Greater Des Moines is prominently featured in a report released by the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program as a metro that has redefined what it means to be a global city. The report, titled “The Making of Global Cities: Stories from the Global Cities Exchange,” details how Greater Des Moines has bolstered its global presence through its participation in the Brookings’ Global Cities Exchange. The Global Cities Exchange is a research and planning process that used data and peer learning to guide metro areas in the development of export and foreign direct investment plans to boost their global competitiveness.
The report highlights the Global Insurance Accelerator, a mentor-driven business accelerator designed to foster innovation in the insurance industry, which has graduated two classes of six startups each. It also highlights the Global Insurance Symposium, a three-day forum for insurance professionals from around the world. Both were originated by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The report also details how Greater Des Moines has capitalized on key industries such as insurance, financial services and agriculture to compete globally.
“By smartly identifying and investing in core products and services that can compete and be sold globally, Des Moines and a growing number of U.S. cities and metro areas are showing that they have a role to play in the world economy,” the report said. “These cities join the ranks of New York, London and Tokyo – the three megacities that have come to symbolize global cities since Saskia Sassen defined the concept 25 years ago.”
The Greater Des Moines Partnership has set a strategic goal in recent years to grow its presence as a global leader. Earlier this year, The Partnership unveiled its Global DSM: Trade and Investment Strategy in partnership with the Global Cities Initiative, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase. The Partnership also unveiled its Global DSM: International Talent Strategy in partnership with the Partnership for a New American Economy. Last month, The Partnership announced that four investors have signed on to form an ag tech startup accelerator, similar in nature to the Global Insurance Accelerator, which will help grow startups from across the world. In 2014, The Partnership helped launch the Cultivation Corridor in partnership with Iowa State University and the Ames Economic Development Commission. The Cultivation Corridor is focused on further developing and marketing the world-renowned bioeconomy in Central Iowa
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with the Brookings Institution, and we thank them for helping us strengthen our global strategy,” said Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “We look forward to capitalizing on opportunities to further grow Greater Des Moines’ global presence in the future.”
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 6,400 Regional Business Members and more than 340 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.