Writing the Next Chapter of Greater Des Moines

Everyone has a story to share.

Behind the growth and momentum in the Greater Des Moines region are the stories of the people, organizations and communities who make it possible. Their stories — of risk, creativity, persistence and pride — are what define who we are and where we’re going.

At the Greater Des Moines Partnership, storytelling is at the heart of our work. It helps us connect with one another and showcases the region’s progress and potential for the future. Today, more than ever, anyone can be a storyteller and help share information quickly and widely.

As business and community leaders in Greater Des Moines, we have an opportunity to shape and share the story of our organizations and our region. By sharing our experiences, we can inform and inspire those around us and help draw more businesses and people to build their own success stories here.

That is why we’ve launched The Greater Des Moines Story, a new storytelling hub designed to highlight the people, ideas and initiatives moving our region forward. It’s more than marketing. Think of it like our own online news channel or media outlet - a place to share positive stories about life, work and innovation across the region with audiences around the world.

It’s where site selectors, CEOs, entrepreneurs and current and future residents can learn more about who we are — and why this region continues to win.

Here are just a few of the stories already being shared:

• Bryan Vanderpool relocated from California to grow Golden Bear Records, supporting local musicians in making albums and finding support for their projects. “The sheer volume of music being made here is just incredible,” he said. “It doesn't exist anywhere else. It's not normal for a city of this size and even cities three times the size.”
• Annabella Rivas-Rodriguez, a Waukee High School student, participated in The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective, which helped push her out of her comfort zone. “There’s so many more things that I can do,” said Rivas-Rodriguez, one of 266 students across the state to participate in the program’s second year in 2025.
• Basi Affia, founder of Sensiil Studios, Iowa’s first black comic book publisher, grew his business through the Spark DSM Business Incubator and Scale DSM Business Accelerator. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” said Affia. “Watching my business grow has been very fulfilling on a lot of different levels.”
• The Des Moines Metro Opera is welcoming 40 artists from around the world in its 2026 Frank R. Brownell III Apprenticeship Artist Program, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected programs for emerging opera artists. “DMMO is a place where singers of every background and stage of career are celebrated for what makes them unique,” said Mezzo-soprano Audrey Welsh, a 2024 and 2025 apprentice artist. “The mentorship is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The entire company makes you feel valued, seen and heard.”

We’ve also shared stories from Partnership Investors, including Hy-Vee, Inc., McGill Junge Wealth Management, Lessing-Flynn, Pella Corporation, Prairie Meadows and many others.

And the story continues. At our Annual Dinner in January, attendees submitted headlines they would like to see for our region or their organization. These headlines were aspirational — a reminder that progress often begins with vision.

Some of my favorites included:

• “Behind the Scenes: Why Everyone is Raving About This Midwest City”
• “New Airport Terminal Helps Region Soar, Advocates Say”
• “Public/Private Partnership’s Yield Strong Results, Say Local Leaders”
• “Greater Des Moines Shows You Don’t Have to Choose Between Opportunity and Quality of Life”
• “Greater Des Moines Named Hottest New Place for Young People to Plant Roots”

We may not see every headline come true, but dreaming big – and working together to bring these stories to life – is what sets Greater Des Moines apart.

So, we need your voice. Share what’s happening in your organization, neighborhood or industry. Growth, innovation, talent, creativity, community impact - your stories matter and show the world why Greater Des Moines is the place to build, grow and thrive. Find The Greater Des Moines Story and learn how to submit story ideas to our team at DSMpartnership.com. Help showcase the momentum defining our region.

Together, we can write the next chapter of Greater Des Moines — full of bold ideas, big wins and stories worth sharing.

Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.