April 24, 2026
By: Chris Costa
One Region, One Voice in Washington, D.C.
Imagine that you are on a rooftop patio with the United States Capitol building as your backdrop, surrounded by hundreds of influential business and community leaders, members of Iowa’s Congressional Delegation and their staff. Or that you have the opportunity to experience unique locations throughout the nation’s capital while strengthening collaboration opportunities with fellow regional leaders.
This is the power of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s DMDC trip to Washington, D.C. DMDC is our region’s opportunity to promote vital regional and local priorities and economic development projects to Iowa's Congressional delegation, the Administration and their staffs and to advocate with one voice and one mission as one united region. This year’s trip takes place from Wednesday, June 3 – Friday, June 5.
![networking at DMDC]()
Moving The Partnership's Featured Priorities Forward
In preparation for the trip and The Partnership’s year-round federal advocacy efforts, The Partnership’s Government Policy Council, made up of Partnership Investors, Affiliates and Regional Chamber Members, compiles a Federal Policy Agenda outlining Featured Priorities for the region. This year’s priorities include regional transportation, permitting reform, workforce funding and programs, and housing.
With around 200 attendees, the trip makes a statement to our elected officials as one of the largest chamber of commerce advocacy trips in the country. They and their staff members make time for us – our collective voice makes an impact. Every year, regional priorities advance through meetings and conversations that take place during this trip.
![trolley tour at DMDC]()
The networking opportunities are among the best you will find. Many attendees share they make more meaningful connections in three days in Washington, D.C., than they do over the course of a year at home, simply because there are so many leaders in the same place for an extended period of time.
In addition to policy meetings and advocacy opportunities, the agenda includes several signature experiences unique to the DMDC trip:
- The Iowa Congressional Reception on the Hall of States Rooftop overlooking the U.S. Capitol.
- The Iowa Congressional Delegation Breakfast featuring a panel discussion of Iowa’s delegation in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room, home to some of the most prominent Senate investigations of the past century-plus, including the sinking of the Titanic, Pearl Harbor, Watergate and more.
- The famed group photo on the U.S. Capitol steps – a right of passage for many business and community leaders.
- A One Partnership Celebration at The Wharf Dockmaster Building overlooking the Washington Channel.
- A nighttime trolley tour of the monuments on the National Mall.
![DMDC 2026]()
- The famed group photo on the U.S. Capitol steps – a right of passage for many business and community leaders.
- A One Partnership Celebration at The Wharf Dockmaster Building overlooking the Washington Channel.
- A nighttime trolley tour of the monuments on the National Mall.
We already have nearly 140 people signed up for this trip, and we encourage you to register soon to secure a spot on the charter flight.
Learn more and register at DSMpartnership.com/DMDC.
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