We Will Win Together in 2026

Since starting at Knapp Properties in 1997, I have watched Greater Des Moines evolve in ways I never could have imagined. I know that a key to this success is the ability of leaders throughout the region to work together toward common goals.

I am honored to serve as the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Board Chair in 2026, and I’m excited about where we are headed.

I want to thank Miriam Erickson Brown for her leadership as Board Chair in 2025. The Partnership’s results last year speak for themselves — hitting 100% of the Scorecard goals outlined by our Board.

As a real estate developer, part of why I am excited about chairing this organization is that its core focus is economic development. The Partnership is the largest regional business, economic development and talent development organization in the state of Iowa.

Everything The Partnership does is to make Greater Des Moines a more inviting community for businesses to thrive and encourage people to move here.

All of this works because we know, as a region, how to collaborate. Our region is full of examples of major projects and initiatives that have succeeded because of regional collaboration. Projects like the ICON Water Trails, and the DSM International Airport New Terminal project, happen because partners from across sectors and jurisdictional boundaries choose to come together to do what’s best for our region.

Let’s take a look at The Partnership’s Strategic Priorities for 2026.

Economic Development

Economic development is core to The Partnership’s mission, and success requires a long-term, regional approach. Economic development is a team sport, and it takes collaboration among city, county and state leaders. Our region does this well. There is more than $5.7B of capital investment and economic development activity underway right now in our Greater Des Moines region, with another $2B in the queue. In 2026, we will continue to grow the project pipeline, increase regional leads and support business location and expansion projects across the region, as well as continue our focus on assisting with office projects. Now is the time to boldly and intentionally market our region to national and international site selectors and companies.

As we announced at our Annual Dinner, our economic development footprint is expanding. Through the leadership of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with The Partnership, Tama County Economic Development will now join the Greater Des Moines region. This expands our regional footprint and strengthens our ability to compete — for projects, talent and investment — across the rural, urban and suburban communities we serve.

Workforce Readiness

Preparing and retaining the workforce of tomorrow is essential to the region’s long-term competitiveness. Our focus is on building a strong, connected talent ecosystem that supports individuals from early education through the current, multigenerational workforce. In 2025, we welcomed record numbers to The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective in partnership with Principal Charity Classic and Sammons Financial Group, as well as DSM Intern Connection. We will build on these signature programs in 2026, including new year-round support for interns working with our Investors to strengthen retention and career readiness.

There are several more workforce readiness programs The Partnership will work on this year, including:

• A new regional program to support new and emerging managers.
• Enhancing partnerships between business and K-12 education to support career exposure in trades, manufacturing and the finance and insurance industries.
• A Young Professionals Connection Regional Council.
• A new skills-based hiring initiative.
• And a new civic leadership program.

Quality of Life

Quality of life amenities, events and placemaking efforts are critical drivers of talent attraction, economic development and regional pride. In 2026, The Partnership will provide community research assistance, support Affiliate Chambers and champion quality of life projects across the region. The Partnership will partner with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) on a first-of-its-kind model to provide ACCE Membership for all Partnership Affiliate Chambers. In addition, we will launch a Shared Services Model designed to support Affiliates with financial, payroll and human resources services to further support Chamber partners.

Our Affiliate Chamber network is key to supporting small businesses throughout the region. Small businesses growth is key to regional economic growth, and we will continue to build on the success of the Spark DSM Business Incubator and Scale DSM Business Accelerator to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. New in 2026, The Partnership will launch a new mentoring program for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Additionally, we will help elevate our Regional Chamber Members — many of which are small businesses run by our friends and neighbors — with three support local marketing campaigns in 2026.

We are excited for the third annual Regional Summit in 2026, building on strong feedback from last year and convening leaders around shared regional priorities that enhance the vibrancy and livability of Greater Des Moines. We will also host marquee events such as the Downtown Farmers’ Market and World Food & Music Festival.

AI and Innovation

We will strengthen Greater Des Moines’ innovation ecosystem by investing in AI-focused, multi-generational workforce resources and cross-sector partnerships that drive business growth across the region. We’re already seeing exciting momentum from our colleges and universities, including University of Iowa, Iowa State University and other partners. Building on that progress, we’ll continue supporting this work, launch a new regional AI Skills and Fluency Tool to strengthen workforce capacity and advance entrepreneurship and small business growth through business innovation. Together, these efforts will position Greater Des Moines as one of the top places in the country for AI and innovation excellence.

Position Greater Des Moines for the Future

The region’s growth has been driven by public, private and nonprofit leaders willing to invest time, resources and leadership in our shared success. This remains critical as the region continues to grow toward 1 million people. We will intentionally convene new, current and legacy leaders to strengthen regional connectivity and shared commitment to regional priorities. One way we are doing this is by partnering with Business Publications Corporation and Storyboard Advisors on the new Greater Des Moines CEO Master Class, which is designed for new and emerging CEOs in our region. We will also continue to work closely with Capital Crossroads to advance initiatives focused on housing and education.

Storytelling

Greater Des Moines has a compelling story to tell about growth, opportunity and quality of life and sharing that story drives talent attraction and economic development. In 2026, our team will prioritize telling the stories of the region, its communities, businesses and residents across all communications channels including through our innovative, new storytelling hub, The Greater Des Moines Story. We will again place strong emphasis on securing national media coverage, recognizing that national visibility strengthens business and talent attraction efforts, and our region’s position in competitive economic development projects.

Those priorities are ambitious, and that’s exactly what this region needs. What stands out to me most is how impactful and action-oriented this work really is.

When Greater Des Moines works together, we win together. And I’m confident 2026 will be no different.

Learn more about The Partnership’s Strategic Priorities and how you can be part of the future of our region at DSMpartnership.com/calltoaction. 

The Greater Des Moines Partnership Board is made up of Greater Des Moines (DSM) leaders and industry experts. The Board is united in driving economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region.