Former NFL Player and ESPN Analyst Merril Hoge to Keynote 2027 Partnership Annual Dinner
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 3, 2026) – Former NFL player, longtime ESPN analyst and motivational speaker Merril Hoge will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Des Moines Partnership's 2027 Annual Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027, at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Downtown Des Moines.
Hoge spent eight seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears before serving as a football analyst for ESPN for 21 years. Today, he travels the country sharing lessons on overcoming challenges, personal growth and taking action to achieve goals. His motivational message encourages individuals and organizations to reflect on their experiences and find their own path forward.
In addition to his professional football and broadcasting careers, Hoge is the author of Find a Way: Three Words That Changed My Life. He also serves on the board of the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research and is a member of the NFL Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee.
"Merril Hoge’s message about finding a way forward has been a personal inspiration to me and will resonate within our business community,” said Chris Costa, President and CEO of Knapp Properties, LC and the 2026 Partnership Board Chair. "Our region continues to grow and succeed because leaders are willing to embrace challenges and work together to pursue new opportunities so we can continue moving forward together.”
The Annual Dinner is one of Greater Des Moines' premier business events, bringing together business and community leaders to celebrate the region's economic and community development accomplishments and look ahead to opportunities for continued growth. The program will also highlight The Partnership's accomplishments from the past year and unveil its Strategic Priorities for 2027 as well as the 2028-2032 vision.
The evening will begin with a reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Advanced pricing is available through Jan. 7, with individual tickets starting at $250 for Partnership Investors and Affiliate Chamber Executive Directors and $325 for general admission. Tables of eight range from $2,000 to $2,600. Prices increase beginning Jan. 8.
For additional information and to register, visit DSMpartnership.com or email Amelia Klatt.
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About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the largest regional business, economic development and talent development organization in Iowa and the second-largest regional chamber of commerce in the country, serving multiple counties in Greater Des Moines. Together with more than 400 Investors and an Affiliate Chamber of Commerce network of more than 7,200 Regional Chamber Members, The Partnership helps businesses grow and advances quality of life in Greater Des Moines with one voice, one mission and as one region, contributing to a vibrant regional economy. The Partnership was named Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the chamber industry’s highest honor, and is accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.