DMDC 2020: Presenting Sponsor SHAZAM

With just days to go until the election, and a laser focus on the individual act of voting, it would be easy to lose sight of the ongoing collective impact our community can have on policy and priorities coming out of Washington.

None of us have been able to travel to D.C. to continue the in-person advocacy we’ve all worked so hard at each year. 2020 forced us to reimagine and recreate the impact 200 business and community leaders have when they travel to the nation’s capital and speak with one voice to advocate for our regional priorities. As a long-time sponsor of the Des Moines-to-DC (DMDC) trip, SHAZAM knew the effort was too important to simply cancel this year. That’s why we jumped at the chance to lend our support as the presenting sponsor of the DMDC 2020 Virtual Series.

DMDC 2020 Overview

The DMDC 2020 Virtual Series was a four-day event highlighting important regional policy priorities of infrastructure, small business and talent. The series kicked off with NBC News’ Chuck Todd as he gave an election update and answered questions from The Partnership’s Investors and Members. Attendees had opportunities to hear remarks and ask questions of Iowa Congressional Members Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst and Congresswoman Cindy Axne, along with engaging in breakout rooms with congressional staff to share more about The Partnership’s featured priorities. The programming did not stop there and included presentations from the U.S. Department of Transportation; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; a small business panel with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Economic Innovation Group, America’s SBDC and NAGGL; an infrastructure panel with Transportation For America, National Rural Electrical Cooperatives and Airports Council International – North America along with updates on skilled labor from Business Leaders United and New American Economy.

As we all wait for the outcome of our state and national elections, uncertainty may still be the overwhelming feeling most of us carry around. But we hope the DMDC Virtual Series was a reminder that our work to educate our lawmakers and advance DSM's priorities is the sum of small actions every day. Regardless of the outcome of this one vote, our sustained voice matters. When it’s safe and we can all gather again, SHAZAM will be there to support the effort.

SHAZAM was joined by supporting sponsors for DMDC 2020: Davis Brown Law Firm, Delta Dental of Iowa, Des Moines Area MPO, Nyemaster Goode, PolicyWorks and Principal.

The Partnership's Public Policy team engages with local, state and federal officials to create public policy that generates economic growth, business prosperity and talent development in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The Partnership is a nonpartisan organization.