Greater Des Moines Partnership

08/28/2026

Remember those giant dominoes we told you were coming to Cowles Commons? They’re officially falling into place. Literally! 😎

Setup is underway for Domino Effect by Ingrid Ingrid, opening TOMORROW! Soon, visitors can push the oversized illuminated dominoes and watch color, light and sound ripple through the installation.

Come see it in action through Wednesday, Sept. 30! Domino Effect was brought to Downtown Des Moines in collaboration with Des Moines Performing Arts - DMPA, Operation Downtown and the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Did you miss the announcement? Get the details here: https://ow.ly/KX7o50ZGwpl

08/27/2026

How do you turn a family recipe and a farmers’ market favorite into a nationally recognized brand?

Go behind the scenes at Thelma's Treats for the next Entrepreneur Field Day on Tuesday, Sept. 1! Founder and CEO Dereck Lewis and Chief Brand Officer Nola Morris will share how the company scaled its manufacturing, created its award-winning Little Oven Box and grew nationwide without losing the heart of the business.

Did we mention this event is free to attend AND...yes, Thelma’s Treats will be provided. 😋

Spots are limited so don't miss out! Register here: https://members.dsmpartnership.com/events/register/1631542

Welcome to Greater Des Moines, a vibrant city where everyone can live, work and play.

08/27/2026

Downtown has a new reason to keep quarters in your pocket. 🪙🎨

Mini art vending machines have popped up at five locations across Downtown Des Moines. Drop in four quarters and take home a surprise piece of artwork featuring one of 18 local artists.

Find them now at:
- Black Cat Ice Cream
- Local Bites
- Mainframe Studios
- RAYGUNshirts
- Wellmark YMCA

The artwork, featured artists and machine locations will change over time, so keep following DowntownDSMUSA and Mainframe Studios for clues and updates! The new initiative is a collaboration between Operation Downtown, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Mainframe Studios.

Bring your quarters and see what you discover. Learn more: https://ow.ly/PzEj50ZGckz

08/26/2026

DSM Intern Connection isn't just for summer anymore!

We're creating more opportunities throughout the year for college students and young professionals to keep learning, making connections and getting a better look at what building a career in Greater Des Moines can actually look like.

First up: let’s talk about the part of getting a job nobody really teaches you.

Hear directly from Greater Des Moines hiring managers and interviewers about what happens on the other side of your application, what actually stands out and where candidates may be spending their energy in the wrong places.

There will also be time to ask candid questions and meet people you could very well cross paths with again during your career.

Did we mention this opportunity is free? Register now: https://ow.ly/WUp150ZFJuX.

08/25/2026

A Greater Des Moines community is one step closer to being named an All-Star! 🏆 City of Norwalk, Iowa - City Hall

Congratulations to our friends in Norwalk on advancing to Round 2 of the Iowa League of Cities All-Star Community Award.

Check out the post below and give their project photo a LIKE to cast your vote. Voting is open through Aug. 31.

🏆 NORWALK HAS ADVANCED TO ROUND 2! 🏆

Thanks to your support, Norwalk is moving on in the Iowa League of Cities All-Star Community Award — and now we need your help again!

💙 VOTE FOR NORWALK! 💙

Voting is easy:
📸 Click here to view the photo:https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1378522811130550&set=pcb.1378529027796595

❤️ LIKE the photo to cast your vote!

The cities with the most votes will win their matchup and advance to the next round.

📅 Quarterfinal voting ends August 31!

*For more information, questions, comments, or feedback regarding this post, please contact Tai Lieu at email: [email protected]

08/24/2026

Planning to join us at the 2026 Regional Summit + Economic Impact Awards? Register before the price goes up!

On Thursday, Oct. 8, leaders from across Greater Des Moines will come together for a day focused on the challenges, opportunities and ideas shaping our region.

This year’s Regional Summit will feature keynote speaker Dom Williams, Senior Expert at McKinsey’s Institute for Economic Mobility, whose work explores how place influences economic prosperity and mobility. The day will also include the Economic Impact Awards, recognizing companies making significant contributions to the economic and community vitality of Greater DSM.

Registration pricing increases Tuesday, Sept. 1, so now is the time to secure your spot.
Learn more: https://www.dsmpartnership.com/the-partnership/events/signature-events/regional-summit

08/19/2026

What if the tractor kept working after the farmer called it a day? 🚜

That’s the idea behind Sabanto Ag. Join Founder & CEO Craig Rupp for the next Entrepreneur Field Days on Aug. 25 to see how autonomous technology is changing what’s possible in agriculture and hear the lessons behind building it.

The Field Day is free and open to everyone, but space is limited to 50 people.

📅 Aug. 25 | 10 a.m. – Noon
📍 Sabanto Ag
Secure your spot now: https://ow.ly/nZWK50ZBAqC.

08/18/2026

What can one building make possible for an entire neighborhood?

The first event of the Entrepreneur Field Day series takes you inside the historic North City Hall redevelopment site with Kuuku Saah, real estate developer and owner of Ntontan RE.

See how a landmark building is being reimagined through creative financing, thoughtful housing development and community-centered design. You’ll also get a closer look at the people, data and decisions shaping real estate and urban development in Des Moines.

Entrepreneur, creative, community builder or simply curious? You’re invited.

Where: 1601 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
When: Friday, Aug. 21 | 3–5 p.m.
Best Part? The event is free!

Limited spots available: https://members.dsmpartnership.com/events/register/1631540

08/17/2026

The Sun Seekers fun continues across Greater Des Moines, and our next stop takes us to Stuart. ☀️

Created by Jennifer Lee Studios Lee Studios, this Sun Seeker is another piece of the growing collection of public art waiting to be discovered throughout our regional communities.

Each stop is a chance to explore somewhere new, spend a little more time in one of the communities that makes our region unique and explore with a little bit of a different perspective.

Make sure to tag us and the local artist if you find one! Don't forget to use . This is made possible by the support of Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel and Principal Financial Group.

08/17/2026

Help us welcome Amanda Loredo to The Partnership team!

She joins us as our new Receptionist and will be one of the friendly faces welcoming visitors to The Partnership. She’s also no stranger to our work! Amanda previously participated in Spark DSM while launching her small business, Exhale by Amanda.

We’re happy to have you on Team Partnership, Amanda! 😁