The Regional Summit 

James Chung is President of Reach Advisors, a Boston-based strategy and predictive analytics firm. His work focuses on building community, serving some of the nation’s leading organizations involved in economic development, real estate development, community philanthropy and cultural investment. He also co-founded a machine learning startup spun out of Reach Advisors to generate localized economic forecasting, which was acquired by the world’s largest commercial real estate valuations firm. He continues to innovate as a co-founder of a reading-focused tech startup based in Paris. He is particularly interested in topics such as how the era of tech advancement and machine learning impacts (positively and negatively) the advancement of organizations and cities and how the expansion of educational and cultural capital builds and strengthens communities.  

Chung will deliver a data-driven keynote that builds on his prior analyses of DSM rise as a standout mid-sized metro in the U.S. His previous presentations in 2018 and 2020 identified the underlying drivers behind DSM’s growth and vibrancy. At the 2025 Summit, Chung will revisit those findings and share what’s shifted, what still holds true, and which focus areas are key to sustaining the region’s momentum through the rest of the decade. 

Programming at the Summit  

Programming for the 2025 Summit will include keynote remarks, breakout sessions, panel discussions and networking.  

Attendees are invited to attend The Partnership’s annual Economic Impact Awards during lunch. A 40-year tradition, these awards honor companies that have made significant contributions to the economic and community vitality of DSM.

2025 Regional Summit Agenda

8 a.m.: Check-in and Networking

9 - 9:30 a.m.: Welcome Remarks (Main Room)

• Miriam Erickson Brown, Chair and CEO of Anderson Erickson Dairy, Board Chair of The Partnership
• Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO of The Partnership
• Governor Kim Reynolds

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: Keynote Speaker: James Chung, founder of Reach Advisors and nationally respected strategist on regional competitiveness

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.: Networking Break

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.: Breakout Session Block #1

Session 1: Economic Development – Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions (Sponsored by Estes Construction)

A panel discussion followed by an interactive workshop on strengthening local supply chains.

Moderator: Ryan Carroll, Senior Director of Regional Business Development at The Partnership.

Panelists will include: 

• Gregg Schmidt, Manager of Preconstruction at Estes Construction
• Melissa Burant, Supply Chain Project Manager at the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University
• Tyler De Bruin, Supply Chain Manager at Andersen Windows

Session 2: Regional Transportation – Driving Workforce and Local Economies

A panel discussion connecting talent to opportunities including updates on the regional transportation plan.

Moderator: Jenae Sikkink, Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Inclusive Strategies at The Partnership.

Panelists will include:

• Amanda Wanke, CEO at DART
• Chris Costa, President and CEO at Knapp Properties
• Jo Christine Miles, Director, Principal® Foundation and Principal Community Relations

Session 3: One Region – Keys to Cultivating Community Vibrancy 

A panel discussion focused on exploring the connection between tourism, arts and housing in the region to better understand their role in shaping a thriving community

Moderator: Kaity Patchett, Executive Director of Capital Crossroads

Panelists will include:

• Kim Didier, Executive Director of DMACC Business Resources
• Trina Flack, President and CEO of Catch Des Moines
• Kim Perez, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Session 4: Small Business Track – Creating Continuous Small Business Success

A panel discussion exploring strategies for sustained small business success, featuring insights from graduates of the Scale DSM Business Accelerator, followed by an interactive workshop on strengthening and uplifting small businesses.

Moderator: Austin Strawhacker, State Director of America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa

Panelists will include: 

• Nick Tarpey, Economic Development Project Manager, City of Des Moines 
• Monica Reyes, Owner of Inmobiliaria Inc., Scale DSM Business Accelerator Graduate

Noon - 12:30 p.m.: Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Economic Impact Awards

Recognizing companies making significant contributions to the regional economy through capital investment, innovation and job creation.

The 2025 Economic Impact Award winners are:

• Coviance – Jennings Kallen Advisors Entrepreneurial Award
• Excell Brands
• ITA Group
• MidAmerican Energy Company
• Musco Lighting – Strategic Headquarters Investment Award
• Osmundson Mfg. Co. 

1:30 - 1:45 p.m.: Networking Break

1:45 - 2:45 p.m.: Breakout Session Block #2

Session 1: Economic Development – The State of Site Selection (Sponsored by Estes Construction)

Insights on office / industrial space trends and strategies out in site selection.

Moderator: Sid Juwarker, Vice President of Economic Development at The Partnership

Panelists will include site selection consultants from Colliers International and Newmark Global Strategy.

Session 2: One Region – Water, Growth and the Bottom Line: Building a Resilient Region Through Water Collaboration

A moderated panel discussion with regional water experts building resilience through water collaboration, followed by a solutions workshop.

Panelists will include:

• Jen Cross, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the Great Outdoors Foundation
• John Ruthledge, General Manager at Lake Panorama Association
• Tami Madsen, Executive Director at Central Iowa Water Works
• Amy Kahler, CEO and General Manager at Des Moines Water Works

Session 3: AI FutureCasting: Equipping our Leaders with Skills of the Future

An interactive session focused on a human-centric approach to prepare for the future of work.

Speaker: Matthew Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer at Bâton Global

Session 4: Small Business Track (Sponsored by Meta) Unlock AI: Guide for Business

Learn directly from a Meta expert in this interactive training session designed to give you practical, real-world skills on how to use AI.

2:45 - 3 p.m.: Networking Break

3 - 3:40 p.m.: Mayors Panel

Hear from local leaders about future-forward visions and what keeps them up at night.

Moderator: Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO of The Partnership

Participating Mayors Include:

• Mayor Connie Boesen, City of Des Moines
• Mayor Dean O'Connor, City of Altoona
• Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt, City of Oskaloosa

3:40 - 4:10 p.m.: One Partnership: Ideas from Around the Region

4:10 - 4:25 p.m.: Closing Remarks

4:30 - 6 p.m.: Happy Hour/Networking

Explore high-impact projects happening across the 12-county region.

More Speakers will be announced as they are finalized.

Following the Regional Summit, attendees are invited to join the Iowa League of Cities Welcome Reception, taking place on site at the Iowa Events Center until 8 p.m. The reception will bring together leaders from across the state to foster deeper collaboration and shared learning.

Parking at the Regional Summit

For the Regional Summit, please park in the Iowa Events Center Green Lot. The entrance to the Green Lot can be found on Fifth Avenue, north of Crocker Street.

Download Parking Map

2025 Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for making the Regional Summit possible. Their support helps bring together leaders from across the region to tackle key challenges and inspire future growth in the Greater Des Moines region. 

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