Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the 4th largest Chamber of Commerce organization in the country, with over 6,600 member businesses. The Partnership's service area covers the following counties — Adair, Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek and Warren a population of more than 828,000. The Greater Des Moines Partnership is led by business, civic and community leaders and industry experts. The Greater Des Moines Partnership serves 11 counties and numerous cities in Greater Des Moines, working to grow and enhance the region's economic and community development. Through collaborative partnerships, The Partnership recruits and assists new and expanding businesses and cultivates a talented and educated workforce.
Leadership and Representation
Together with its Regional Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, The Partnership works to build a stronger region. The Partnership and its 24 Affiliate Chambers crafted a dual-Membership model that combines the value of Chamber benefits with the value of Partnership benefits, meaning, by being a Member of a local Chamber of Commerce, businesses are automatically a Member of The Partnership. The Partnership provides opportunities for its Members and Investors to connect, build relationships and continue dialogue with their elected officials. Creating a unified region with engaged community members is critical to the economic vitality of Greater Des Moines. The Partnership can connect its Investors and Members with each other to support economic and community growth in Des Moines.
In September of 2020, leaders from across the region were encouraged to sign the CEO Commitment to Racial Equity in DSM. This was developed by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and its Inclusion Council with input from The Directors Council through its One Economy Blueprint for Action, as well as Capital Crossroads leadership. CEOs and top-level leaders of companies, organizations and public entities in DSM were encouraged to consider signing onto this commitment to racial equity and to create equitable, inclusive and diverse workplaces and communities. The Partnership had 220 CEOs in the region sign on to the CEO Commitment to Racial Equity in DSM.
We have reached a critical moment in our nation and region's history that calls us to address racial equity in meaningful ways. Now is the time to reset expectations and recognize the role we play in creating equitable, inclusive and diverse workplaces and communities. Commitment requires action to make diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) a reality.
In addition to signing the CEO Commitment to Racial Equity, The Partnership is asking leaders to share best practices as a way to tell the stories of the intentional DEI work that is happening in our community, and to build transparency and accountability. The Partnership invites leaders and organizations to share their DEI initiatives and progress and help build a community resource that promotes collaboration and idea-sharing surrounding DEI.
Sharing these stories is one step in the DEI journey and helps inspire others to join in and spurs further action in moving the needle on racial equity.
