Friday, May 31st | 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Click Here to get your ticket (limited to the first 250 people)

Network with the other professionals and regional chamber members in a fun relaxed environment. As the tournament winds down for the day, we will be starting an event and an opportunity for you to mingle and enjoy the venue at Wakonda Club.

The event is FREE to attend, and your ticket will get you into the tournament anytime on Friday.

Think you know how to network?… Learn the skills of “Improv Networking” at this month’s fun chamber luncheon!

Click Here to Register

Small Business Smarts

Thursday, May 23 

Walnut Street, among the first in the nation to be fully illuminated with electric lights, is now a shadow of its former self.

But leaders working on plans to revitalize the street want to turn the lights back on. This afternoon, representatives from architectural landscaping firms Confluence and Genus, Reynold Urban Design, the city of Des Moines and the Downtown Community Alliance (DCA) unveiled final plans on how they propose transforming the street from a public transit mall into an entertainment corridor.

Chief among their plans is adding more light to the area. Seven light-art projects are proposed for the street, projecting light through different places in the skywalk system and art onto the Des Moines Civic Center and Davis Brown Tower.  Plans also call for replacing the dark brick paving from the sidewalks with lighter materials and adding large storefront windows that allow light to spill onto the street to brighten up the area.

Walnut Street will feature urban gardens, local and national retail shops, and parallel parking spots that wrap the street. Project leaders want the corridor to bridge the Court Avenue and Western Gateway districts, linking the areas through pedestrian-friendly walkways and entertainment options.

Read the complete article here

What: Unveiling of final streetscape concept for Walnut Street

When: Monday, April 29

Time: Noon – 1:30pm

Where: Downtown Public Library, 1000 Grand Avenue

Click here for more information

Click Here to Learn More & RSVP

To kick off 2013 with the series of YPC/Des Moines Downtown Chamber joint events, enjoy this speed networking event. The Gramercy Tap will offer food and drink specials for the event participants.

It will be laid back, but fast-paced, and designed for people who are serious about networking. So, come down for a chance to meet some of Des Moines’ most interesting people and don’t forget to bring your business cards!

When: April 18

Time: 11:30am-1:00pm

Register

Parking and Check-in Instructions – (please register so we have an accurate meal count)

-Parking will be across the street to the north at 1701 Grand; the gates will be open.

-After parking, you will need to cross the street at the traffic light. The light doesn’t change unless you press the button for the light to change.

-Enter the Central Campus Building (building on left – location is 1800 Grand.) You will be asked for your I.D. and let them know that you’re there for the luncheon.

-You’ll then head up the stairs and go left. Follow the signs to the “Multipurpose Room” past the cafeteria.

-The Superintendent will speak close to 11:40am and salads will be served at that time to begin the lunch. Please arrive promptly at 11:30 to check-in.

Cost: $15 (Members of the Downtown or West Side Chambers) ; $25 (General Public) – cost includes your lunch

Enjoy a meal prepared by the culinary arts students at Central Campus and hear from Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent, Tom Ahart.

Event Agenda

11:30 – Check-in/Networking

11:45  – Superintendent Tom Ahart

- Culinar Arts Instructor, Elaine Wolf and the meal presentation

-  Julie Rosin, Assistant Director, Central Campus

12:30 – Tour of the school

Menu:

Spring salad with ranch dressing served with rolls and butter

Chicken with supreme sauce, rice and green beans (vegetarian “chix” patty option available)

Assorted cake for dessert

Iced tea and lemonade

Register Here

Friday, April 12th

2:00-3:30pm

Des Moines Public Libary, 1000 Grand Ave.

RSVP Here

The West Side Chamber and Downtown Chamber are co-hosting a coffee with legislators and chamber members to offer an opportunity for concerns to be raised, to ask questions, and to interact directly with the legislators. All members are invited to attend this free event.

Anticipated discussion items include commercial property tax relief and healthcare access/expansion of Medicaid, in addition to audience questions. Each legislator will provide a brief introduction and remarks regarding their personal priorities at the beginning. Chamber members are invited to share thoughts and questions with the legislators.

Confirmed panelists for this event are:

Senator Jack Hatch

Representative Marti Anderson

“THE DOWNTOWN REBOUND: What’s new, what opportunities exist, and what it means for regional development?”

Event info
Wednesday, April 10th
7:00am Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
7:30-9:00 Program

Where:
The Wright Place, 340 Wright Road, Norwalk

Register

(Note: This is not a Des Moines Downtown Chamber sponsored event.)

Downtown Des Moines is suddenly bursting with a flurry of activity, optimism and opportunities – a stark contrast from the doom and gloom that hovered over the area just a few years ago. A quick glance at the area reveals plans for Walnut Street’s redevelopment, new housing projects, the launch of Des Moines Redevelopment Co., creative uses of old buildings and Principal’s newest reinvestments. It’s clear, things are in motion and the downtown area could be poised for a big rebound. Our expert panel will be able to answer all your questions such as:

• What retail opportunities could be available on Walnut Street?
• How is the lending climate impacting development?
• How are developers and the city looking to fill office space?
• What are the plans of the Des Moines Redevelopment Co.?
• How will Principal’s newest reinvestments shape the area?
• What is the outlook on housing in the downtown?
• What are the impacts of a strengthening core on development in the wider metro area?

City planners are pouring money and resources into revitalizing their core business districts to capture young college-educated professionals, who generally want to live in urban neighborhoods that are close to work and have plenty of entertainment options.

“The cities that capture the mobile, college-educated ‘young and restless’ are the ones who are most likely to revitalize their downtowns and accelerate economic progress in their cities,” Lee Fisher, president of CEOs for Cities, told Forbes.

The article pointed out that Des Moines has allocated more than $3 billion to its redevelopment efforts since 2000, which include hiring urbanist and Princeton professor Mario Gandelsonas in 2008.

Forbes also pointed out the major uptick in downtown residential units. More than 4,500 were constructed between 2001 and 2011, which helped boost the area’s population and draw in young professionals. About 8,000 people live downtown, the article said, and 16 percent are ages 25 to 34 years old.

Other cities to make the list include Denver,  Milwaukee, Memphis, Tenn., and Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Business Record will host its annual Commercial Real Estate Trends & Issues Forum focusing on the Downtown Rebound on April 10 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Wright Place, 340 Wright Road, in Norwalk. Click here for more information and to register.

Home Remedies

Wednesday, March 27th

4:30-6:30pm (ribbon ceremony at 5:30pm)

511 E. 6th Street

Food and Beverage Provided.

Musical entertainment by the Roosevelt High School Orchestra Quartet!

Expanded networking opportunity with member of the West Des Moines Chamber – Home Remedies is a member of both the Downtown Chamber and the West Des Moines Chamber.