Emily Kessinger, Director of Capital Crossroads will join three small business owners to discuss how they?ve pivoted over the course of the past six months. The business owners will share stories about how their business has shifted, what they?ve worked to change and what has worked for them. Join us to dive in and hear directly from small business owners in the Greater Des Moines (DSM) community. The Greater Des Moines Partnership has published a compilation of DSM Forward industry playbooks and business function playbooks to help businesses and industries prepare for the next steps related to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic when the time is right. In alignment with the DSM Forward initiative, we are hosting a series of DSM Forward webinars to help leaders in each industry connect, share and exchange information and resources related to moving forward into this next phase of reopening. This event will take place on October 6 at 12:15 via Zoom. ... read more

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?Stop by to visit with small business experts on the topics of ecommerce, QuickBooks, shipping, business operations and more. ... read more

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This virtual event will give you the opportunity to connect with business leaders from the 24 Affiliate Chambers in the Central Iowa region and expand your network! Participants will join breakout groups to facilitate small group networking and discussion with area business leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about area business leaders, their stories and ask questions in a virtual environment. Cue up your LinkedIn and get ready to connect, virtually, with participants from a variety of different industries throughout Central Iowa! ... read more

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The Greater Des Moines Partnership and United Way of Central Iowa will host the eighth annual Inclusion Summit via Zoom on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. The event?s theme is ?Rising to the Equity Challenge'' which aims to cultivate a community conversation about actively making diversity, equity and inclusion a priority in Greater Des Moines (DSM). 21-Day Equity Challenge This year's Inclusion Summit features collaboration with United Way to wrap up the 21-Day equity Challenge. Leading up to the Inclusion Summit is the 21-Day Equity Challenge supported by United Way of Central Iowa. The 21-Day Equity Challenge is a powerful opportunity for shared learning and growth and invites central Iowans to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and community. The challenge will help thousands of central Iowans unite to learn and grow together, and help us all address equity issues in our community. Sign up for the 21-Day Equity Challenge that begins on October 5 at EquityChallenge.org. Morning Agenda & Speakers 8 a.m. ? Welcome to the Inclusion Summit with Mary Bontrager, Executive Vice President of Talent Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and Elisabeth Buck, President of United Way of Central Iowa 8:10 a.m. ? CEO Roundtable: Diversity and Inclusion Starts at the Top moderated by Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. 8:55 a.m. ? Keynote Speaker: Dr. Eddie Moore, America is Changing: Are you ready? 9:55 a.m. ? Break 10:00 a.m. ? Keynote Speaker: Dr. Laura Morgan Roberts, A.F.F.I.R.M. Differences: Seven Conversations (we should be having) about equitable Diversity, Inclusion and Positive Organizing. 11:00 a.m. ? Break 11:10 - Inclusion Award Announcement 11:25 a.m. ? Keynote Speaker, Caroline Wanga, Elevator to Equity 12:25? Thank you and end morning session 12: 30 -1:30 - Break 1:30 p.m. ? Welcome back and 21-Day Equity Challenge Review 1:40 p.m. ? Young Equity Leaders Panel A number of young central Iowans are emerging in our community as leaders on equity issues. Join this panel discussion to hear how our younger peers are working to make a difference for the future. 2:25 p.m. ? Introduce Breakout Sessions and Instructions for Attendance Breakout 1: EDUCATION ? A discussion regarding the equity issues children and students face in their quest for an education. Breakout 2: HOUSING ? Learn about the inequities many central Iowans face finding affordable housing, securing loans, and more. Breakout 3: WEALTH ? Inequities in many areas prevent many central Iowans from establishing or achieving financial stability, savings, or to build equity with property or other assets. Join this discussion on these challenges and possible solutions. Breakout 4: JUSTICE ? Inequities in the justice system have been at the forefront of many discussions recently. Learn how justice system inequities are impacting central Iowa. Breakout 5: HEALTH ? From access to reliable and consistent healthcare and healthy food to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the inequities around health and wellness are significant. Join this discussion to learn how central is working to address these issues. 2:30 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. ? Breakout Session #1 3:25 to 3:30 p.m. ? Transition to Breakout Session #2 3:30 to 4:25 p.m. ? Breakout Session #2 (same sessions as Breakout Session #1) 4:25 to 4:30 p.m. ? Wrap Up and Thank You The Greater Des Moines Partnership has published a compilation of DSM Forward industry playbooks and business function playbooks to help businesses and industries prepare for the next steps related to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic when the time is right. In alignment with the DSM Forward initiative, we are hosting a series of DSM Forward webinars to help leaders in each industry connect, share and exchange information and resources related to moving forward into this next phase of reopening. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at 12:15 p.m. via Zoom meeting. ... read more