FuseNews_December 2020_ FuseDSM Your Chamber of Commerce Online Publication

news FIND US ONLINE @ FUSEDSM.ORG/FUSENEWS

YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FUSING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER 130 East 3rd Street, Suite 301 / Des Moines, IA 50309 P / 515.829.4189 / fusedsm.org

LOCAL FINDS- KEEP THE CHEER HERE: FuseDSM PG 22-23

A MERGE OF HISTORY AND FUTURE: The Slow Down Coffee Co. PG 15

HOW FONGS PIZZA CAME TO LIFE DOWNTOWN: Fongs Pizza PG 16

AE DAIRY CELEBRATES 90TH WITH A “NOG” TO YESTERDAY: Anderson Erickson PG 14

INSIDE // DEC 2020 ON THE COVER // LOCAL FINDS: KEEP THE CHEER HERE: 22-23 FuseDSM A MERGE OF HISTORY AND FUTURE: 15 The Slow Down Coffee Co. HOW FONGS PIZZA CAME TO LIFE: 16 Fongs Pizza A NOG TO YESTERDAY: 14 AE Dairy

IN THE COMMUNITY // COMMUNITY GIVING PAGE 11 DSM EATS & TREATS PAGE 18-19

MEMBER NEWS // SUPPORT THE ZOO ANIMALS 13 ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH? 17 REAL ESTATE FUNDING PROGRAM 21 HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER 24 MEASURE YOUR MARKETING SUCCESS 25 COVID RENT & MORTGAGE RELIEF 26 DAVIS BROWN LAW TO COMBINE WITH DENTONS 29

IN THE CHAMBER // NEW TEAM MEMBER PAGE 7 CHAMBER UPDATES PAGE 4 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PAGE 9 VIRTUAL EVENTS PAGE 20 AFFILIATE BENEFITS PAGE 30 MEET THE BOARD PAGE 31

FUSEDSM // FROM THE CHAMBER Randy Sackett // Chairman, FuseDSM, Your Chamber of Commerce At FuseDSM, Your Chamber of Commerce, we’re so excited with the success of Keep the Cheer Here presented by Window World. In partnership with the Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce and the Des Moines Westside Chamber of Commerce, and our wonderful list of sponsors, we decided to take action in incentivizing the public to spend their dollars in our community.

Often, we equate buying local with closing off access to great deals at large chains, or spending more money within our community’s footprint. But in reality, shopping locally can start small with conscious decisions to support a business in your area that is owned by a member of the community. It isn’t purchasing products or services that aren’t competitive, it’s investing in partners within the community who may already offer a specific product or service. At FuseDSM, we encourage our members to network with other members to, whenever possible; partner within our community.

We know we are far from the first to recognize that shopping locally benefits our community. There are multiple studies that show buying locally not only improves our community in the way of tax dollars, but also helps us build a local supply chain and fund more local non-profit organizations. Choosing to buy from a local Des Moines source means you are strengthening our local job market, increasing the variety of businesses that are able to serve and survive, and nurturing what makes Des Moines unique.

Let’s keep #FusingTheCommunityTogether

Randy Sackett Randy Sackett- Chairman - FuseDSM

HOW CAN FUSEDSM HELP

DONATE TO 2020 HOLIDAY DRIVE

WELCOME TO THE TEAM // GARRETT SHEPPARD

GARRETT SHEPPARD Membership Development Manager

e/ garrett@fusedsm.org c/ 515.745.8662

2 0 2 1

B u s i n e s s

B r a n d i n g

WELCOME // NEW MEMBERS

BerganKDV

Torres Home Builders

Yours Truly & Co.

HITECH Communications

Two Amigos Auto Sales

La Michoacana Ice Cream

El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill

Kid’s Closet Connection DSM

Coa Cantina

Empowered Bridge Mindset Coaching

Creme Cupcake

NOW OFFERING PPE SOLUTIONS:

DONT FORGET EVERY PURCHASE WITH PRIMARY SOURCE EARNS 5X THE CHANCES TO WIN KEEP THE CHEER HERE!

COMMUNITY CARING // GIVING BACK TO DSM Give Back to Non-Profits & Win // FuseDSM Did you know that your local non-profit donation is another eligible purchase to win? Choose from a chamber member non-profit and receive 5 entries to win with every donation made. Here is a list of our non-profit members that will earn 5X the chances to win: Animal Rescue League of Iowa / Blank Park Zoo / By Degrees Foundation / Central Iowa Center for Independent Living / Community Hand Up / Conmigo Early Education Center / Des Moines Public Library / DMARC (Des Moines Area Religious Council) / Dream Catchers Foundation Inc. / Habitat for Humanity ReStore - Des Moines / Hard To Love Inc. / East High School Alumni Foundation /Everybody Wins! Iowa / EveryStep / Food Bank of Iowa / Friends of SW 9th / Grand View Christian School / Home Opportunities Made Easy, Incorporated (HOME, Inc.) / IMPACT Community Action Partnership / Iowa HOBY / Iowa Radio Reading Information Service (IRIS) / Iowa State Fair / Italian - American Cultural Center of Iowa / JCI Des Moines Jaycees / LifeServe Blood Center / Lincoln High School Alumni Association / Mosaic in Central Iowa / NAMI Greater Des Moines / Orchard Place / Parks Area Foundation / Prelude Behavioral Services / Rebuilding Together / Ronald McDonald House / Sleep in Heavenly Peace, IA-Des Moines / Starts Right Here / St. Vincent de Paul

DES MOINES STAPLE // BLANK PARK ZOO SUPPORT THE ANIMALS // Blank Park Zoo The Zoo has faced its most difficult year in its history. Like many businesses, large and small, the Zoo is fighting for its future.

It costs $19,000 per day to operate your Zoo – open or closed.

Animal care has always been, and has continued to be top priority at Blank Park Zoo. While the animals missed all of YOU during our brief closure last spring, their health, safety and well-being were protected by our relentless staff - and that care continues.

Blank Park Zoo is not sustainable at 50% admissions or support. Your help is needed today.

Be a hero for your Zoo’s animals.

A gift of $100, $500, $1000 or more will go a long way in seeing your Zoo get through this. Donate today online, by calling 515-974-2584.

DES MOINES STAPLE // AE DAIRY AE DAIRY CELEBRATES 90TH WITH A “NOG” TO YESTERDAY // Anderson Erickson For decades, AE Dairy has been making and delivering fresh dairy products, including milk, cottage cheese, chocolate milk and sour cream dips. To mark their 90th anniversary, they’re celebrating with a “nog” to yesterday by bringing back a vintage Egg Nog carton design from the 1940’s.

No one at AE can say for certain when Egg Nog was first made.

“What we do know is that AE Egg Nog has a very loyal fan club,” says Kim Peter, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The dairy regularly receives customer emails and social media comments from customers who say, “the holidays are just not the same without AE Egg Nog!” There are requests to make AE Egg Nog year round and in the half gallon size rather than a quart.

Like other much loved AE products, the recipe for Egg Nog is kept secret, and hasn’t changed. Each batch is made with milk and cream that’s hours fresh from Iowa family farms, fully pasteurized eggs, premium vanilla and real nutmeg. John Just, Director of Quality Assurance says, “what sets AE Egg Nog apart is all of the fresh cream we use.” For those who aren’t familiar, the flavor is often described as tasting like a melted French Vanilla Milkshake – unbelievably smooth and creamy.

For a limited time, AE will package up their Classic Egg Nog using the gold colored quart carton that features a candlestick in deep red and forest green ink to remind fans of Christmases past. “The vintage carton design is like a time capsule for our 90 year history”, says Miriam Erickson Brown, Chair and CEO. “It’s the Erickson family’s way of bringing a little joy and expressing our thanks to Iowans for allowing AE to be a part of their lives for 90 years, especially at the holidays.”

AE products can be found at area grocers, and the vintage cartons will be available as supplies last through year-end.

For more information, visit www.aedairy.com.

About AE Dairy AE Dairy, located in Des Moines is a third generation, family owned dairy. When it was founded by Iver Erickson in 1930, there were over 150 other dairies in the Des Moines, Iowa, area. With so many dairies providing the same products and service, Iver and his business partner, a Swedish friend named William Anderson, carved out a niche and focused on one goal: to make sure the AE brand stood for quality, dependability and friendliness. Today, the Ericksons and AE family of 350 employees continue to build on that strong foundation by focusing on product and service excellence. AE Dairy offers more than 200 fresh dairy products throughout most of Iowa, the Kansas City metro area and into the bordering states of IL, NE and SD. For more information, visit www.aedairy.com.

COMMUNITY SPACE // THE SLOW DOWN COFFEE CO. A MERGE OF HISTORY AND FUTURE // The Slow Down Coffee Co. In the heart of the Highland Park/Oak Park neighborhoods, Drew Kelso and the team felt inspired to open a “Third Place” for the community.

A “Third Place” is a concept that creates a gathering spot for the community, outside of the two usual social environments of home (“first place”) and the workplace (“second place”). That’s why every detail of this well crafted community coffee shop was created for conversations.

Continuing with the responsibility of creating a space for the community, The Slow Down Coffee Co. uniquely combines the rich history of Highland/Oak Park neighborhoods with the new diverse culture that has settled to call Des Moines a home. This includes keeping design details from the old hardware store; like the markings on the floor to measure rope, and also creating a diverse menu of offerings not found at your typical coffee shop. Even more, to celebrate what makes Des Moines unique, Kelso enlisted the help of a new up and coming artist to create a mural to display just that. Marissa Hernandez Art & Design created the mural that sits in the conversation area of the shop. You will find a diverse set of people taking the time to slow down and create a space of self care.

Congratulations to the team at The Slow Down Coffee Co for creating a space for all of us to enjoy.

HAVE YOU TRIED // FONGS PIZZA HOW FONGS PIZZA CAME TO LIFE DOWNTOWN // Fongs Pizza Gwen Page saw a lack of late night dining options in downtown Des Moines back in 2008, and while employed as a manager at the High Life Lounge, she saw her opportunity. A friend shared with Page that King Ying Low had closed, and the location was available to fulfill her dream of opening a pizza place.

Upon entering the space and learning more about King Ying Low's history, they were inspired to create a menu that paid homage to the dishes that King Ying Low served for so many decades. The combination of a tiki bar with unique Asian-inspired pizza menu created a vibe that people from all over the nation travel to for the Fongolian experience.

The top three dishes to try these days are our Crab Rangoon Pizza, Ramen Pizza and Cauliflower Wings.

The last two dishes are only available at the downtown store which recently has introduced more vegan and gluten friendly options.

The Downtown store offers limited dine-in with respect to social distancing, direct delivery and curbside carryout.

Order Online Here

Move towards more.

DES MOINES

TEXT

3000 SE 14th St.

IA61 to 38000

1404 Des Moines St.

IA67 to 38000

3002 Forest Ave.

IA68 to 38000

2540 East University

IA69 to 38000

Choose your own hours.

Get $2,500 or more in tuition assistance.

Build Your Skills

ANKENY 401 Ankeny Blvd.

IA62 to 38000

2502 SE Delaware Ave.

IA65 to 38000

2625 SW State St.

IA70 to 38000

GRIMES 101 Gateway Dr.

IA66 to 38000 mcdonalds.com/careers

BUSINESS EXPERT // MCCRAINE ASSOCIATES ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH? // Daniel McCraine There are a number of factors to take into consideration when preparing yourself and your company to approach the largest clients you’ll ever work with. Today we’re going to start with a brief look at the three paths every business faces and show you which one is the path to success. Then we’ll talk about the mindset it takes to attract the big fish.

There are three major paths a business can take: Snail Speed / Shooting Star / Catch the Big Fish / Snail Speed Most business owners ended up working themselves into the ground without much reward or success. This is what happens when you fool yourself into thinking you will find quick success. You may also find yourself following this path when you are afraid of change.

Shooting Star This describes a business that shoots to the top so fast you are overwhelmed and don’t have the right resources in place to adapt. This can also happen from being overwhelmed by small clients and not taking the time to find large clients, which will sustain your business after the small client sales slow.

Catch the Big Fish This is the path that allows you to build at a steady pace that you can manage by not allowing your customers to outpace you. You can do this by putting these tips to work: Attract, keep and lock in big clients. / Integrate “big business” culture into your company and employees. / Acquire the expertise you need to grow. / Have the courage to make changes as you grow.

Now we are going to transition a bit and talk about the “big fish” mindset. It may sound easy to just find and catch that big fish, but if you are stuck in the small business mindset, you may find it harder than you think. Think of all the benefits of aiming at bigger clients: Inexpensive / Highly Profitable / Longevity / Security In order to catch the big fish, you need to believe your company can make a difference with theirs. It’s easy to get into the thought that a large company doesn’t need anything from a small business like yours, but this is entirely wrong! Once you take a look at how big companies operate, it’s important to know which ones are the best fit with your company. One of the best ways to get in the door is by knowing someone on the inside who can put in a good word for you. If you’re not sure where to start and feel a little intimidated about catching big fish, try our FREE test drive to get help from our amazing business coaches.

EATS & TREATS // DES MOINES FOOD OPTIONS

THE SLOW DOWN COFFEE CO. //

LATIN KING //

A COFFEE SHOP FOR THE HIGHLAND PARK/ OAK PARK NEIGHBORHOODS

ITALIAN DINING

The Slow Down Coffee Co. is a locally-owned and -operated speciality coffee shop in the historic Highland Park neighborhood on the northside of the Des Moines metro.

Website: www.theslowdowndsm.com Address: 3613 6th Ave.

For over 60 years Tursi’s Latin King Restaurant has stood as a hallmark of quality traditional Italian dining in Des Moines.

Website: tursislatinking.com Phone: 515-266-4466 Address: 2200 Hubbell Avenue Des Moines, IA 50317

Des Moines, IA

CAPTAIN ROY’S //

El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill //

BIKE TRAIL PATIO BAR

CURBSIDE AVAILABLE FRI-SAT 4-8PM

New Breakfast Menu available starting this weekend. Pair it

El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill comes to life as Raymundo Montes Gregorio, Marcelino Montes Gregorio and Jose Aureliano De La Cruz Patricio bring their commitment to

with our bottomless Bloody Mary or Mimosa!

UberEats: Captain Roy’s Phone: 515-631-2223 Address: 1900 Saylor Road Des Moines, Iowa 50313

each other

FuseDSM: fusedsm.org/list/member/ el-toreado-mexican-bar-grill Facebook: El toreado mexican bar & grill Address: 3751 Ep True Pkwy

West Des Moines, IA 50265

CHAMBER MEMBER RESTAURANT RECEIPTS EARN 5X THE CHANCES TO WIN KEEP THE CHEER HERE PRIZE MONEY!

LA MICHOACANA ICE CREAM //

BARATTAS //

SWEET FLAVORFUL TREATS

PICKUP & DINE IN

A favorite ice cream shop, righ ton Grand Avenue, La

Baratta’s has been a Des Moines staple for over 50 years and is always welcoming new guests to the table. With multiple locations now open, catering available, and take-out options,

michoacana is the sweet treet you’ve been looking for.

FuseDSM: fusedsm.org/la-michoacana-ice-cream Facebook: Paleteria La Michoacana Address: 1552 E Grand Ave

Des Moines, IA 50316

there are several ways to enjoy our menu.

Website: barattas.com Phone: 515-243-1801 Facebook: Barratta’s Address: 600 E. Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50319

FONGS PIZZA //

LOS CHARROS //

HOME TO THE ORIGINAL CRAB RANGOON PIZZA

DINE IN OR CARRYOUT OPTIONS

Check out fongspizza.com for the full menu inspired by a fusion of Asian, Italian, & Polynesian cooking styles, to create our unique pizzas and other food offerings..

Website: fongspizza.com/ Phone: 515-323-3333 Email: desmoines@fongspizza.com Address: 223 4th Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

Check the daily Lunch and Dinner Specials, with a menu created with dishes from diferent zones of Mexico and TexMex Style. Try the Traditional Mexican Sopes, Molcajetes, Pollo a la Piña, Fish Tacos, Arrachera Tacos, Tacos Hawaianos, and lots more!

Website: loscharrosankeny.com Phone: 515-964-4264 Address: 2010 SE Delaware Ave Suite 230 Ankeny, Iowa 50021

MEMBERS // CHAMBER VIRTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

CAFFEINATE AND CONVERSATE // Presented by HeyGiud Communications Join Fuse DSM, Your Chamber of Commerce and HeyGiud Communications for Caffeinate and Conversate! This weekly, virtual event is a chance to get to know other members of our community. Meet new people, catch up with old friends, and share your experiences with people in our community

Date: Tuesdays December 15 @ 9AM Sign Up: fusedsm.org

Heidi Kroll / Wine Guide

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY // CREATIVE DSM REAL ESTATE FUNDING PROGRAM // City of Des Moines The City of Des Moines has recently announced a funding program targeted towards commercial, office, and mixed-use properties in neighborhood commercial nodes and corridors across the city.

Funds can be used for faรงade renovations and exterior site improvements, building stabilization, roof repair, installation of a fat, oil, grease (FOG) interceptor, installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems, fire sprinkler systems, electrical updates, and plumbing updates.

CLICK HERE for more information.

LOCAL FINDS // KEEP THE CHEER HERE FUSEDSM MEMBER GOODS & DEALS // FuseDSM You didn’t think we were going to ignore our (biased-based) favorites did you? By shopping at one of our locally owned chamber member businesses, entrants receive 5x the chances to win the ultimate cash prizes for the Keep the Chere Here raffle. This means you can shop your favorite take out, salon, boutique, auto shop, and even professional services AND earn 5x the chances to win our cash prize if they are a chamber member. This also includes the non-profit missions listed on page 11!

YOURS TRULY & CO //

BLANK PARK ZOO //

SOAP CANDLE GIFTS Specializing in Handmade gifts. Candles, Soaps, Wedding favors, Wedding flowers in Candles & Resin Located in Van Meter, IA SHOP: YOURSTRULYCO.NET

YEALRY MEMBERSHIP Enjoy the wonderful park atmosphere as you and your family view over 800 furry, finned and feathered exotic creatures at the Zoo. SHOP: BLANKPARKZOO.COM

KIDS CLOSET CONNECTION //

EAST VILLAGE SPA //

EVERYTHING YOU LITTLE ONE NEEDS SHOP and SAVE on everything you need for your kiddos from baby to teen. Sign up to consign NOW and make MONEY selling your kids items!

SHOP: KIDSCLOSET.BIZ

FREE GIFT WITH $50 PURCHASE East Village Spa offers massage therapy, skin care, Hydrafacial, waxing & natural nails wirh a downto-earth team of skilled, licensed providers.

SHOP: SHOPEASTVILLAGESPA.COM

DES MOINES MERCANTILE //

COPYCAT PRINTS //

UNIQUELY CRAFTED GIFTS Modern-day general store. Everyday goods for everyone. Craftsmanship inspired by simpler times. photo: @alvarengaart SHOP: DES MOINES MERCANTILE

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE CANVASES Now until December 30, redeem our BOGO Free offer on ALL canvases locally printed here in Des Moines! Use code FUSEBOGO to redeem.

SHOP: COPYCATDM.COM

TRIXIES AVEDA SALON //

SKATE SOUTH //

SUBSCRIPTION BOXES Shop local love with our special subscription boxes curated not only from Trixies Aveda Salon, but from our community partners.

SHOP: SHOPTRIXIES.COM

VALPACK COUPONS Hosting skate nights, roller derby competitions, birthday parties, and more for skating buffs and amateurs alike!

SHOP: SKATE SOUTH

Rob is our first individual Fuse Philanthropist, he helped not one but THREE members who were struggling to pay their renewal dues for the year by covering their dues for them. Being there for his fellow member goes well beyond just connecting people.

HOLISTIC EXPERT // Natural Health Improvement A HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER // Natural Health Improvement Center of Des Moines Let’s face it, 2020 was probably not the year of your health goals if you’re like most Americans. While we were hunkering down and avoiding the pandemic, it has become easier to let some other health issues slide. If this sounds familiar to you, it may just be time to jump start your safe and natural journey into a more holistic approach.

At Natural Health Improvement Center of Des Moines, the team focuses on safe, natural solutions for many health problems.

From newborn babies all the way through 80+ years of age, they are helping many people find a natural, non-invasive way to improve their health.

NHIC practices “Root Cause Nutrition”, which means they don’t treat symptoms, they focus on correcting the cause. This includes autoimmune issues, PMS, allergies, asthma, acne, eczema, psoriasis, food sensitivities, digestive issues & more! And perhaps better yet, the team will work with your insurance to help find the right solution for you. They accept HSA and FSA for many treatments.

The first step to improving your health is to make an appointment for a consultation with the nutritionist. This includes all the testing to determine what the underlying causes of your symptoms are. Then we design an individual nutrition program unique to you, and help you transform your health!

Right now, that initial $200, consultation & report, is available to FuseDSM members for just $99! So this season, jumpstart your health, instead of your symptoms.

MARKETING EXPERT // CREATIVE DSM TIPS FOR MARKETING ANALYTICS // Andi Fagen As you’re wrapping up your end-of-year tasks, you probably have a normal audit and review in process. This helps you measure the success of the year, and assists in mapping out the action items for the next. We do this for financials, personnel, and even governance. But is your business tracking your digital presence?

My December Digital Marketing Tip: Audit Your SEO Progress If you’re not sure where you are coming from, how will you know where you need to go? Analytics is deeply rooted into every process that we do at Creative DSM. Sure, we’re creative, but there is data to back up decisions at the end of the day. That’s Why Creative DSM is Offering One Technical SEO Audit Free to FuseDSM Members.

For more SEO tips, follow our Creative DSM blog, or set up a coffee with me. It’s free.

Let’s keep #FusingTheCommunityTogether

Andi Fagen

Andi Fagen - Founder - Creative DSM | Digital & Social Marketing

FREE ADVICE HERE

PRICE ELECTRIC HOLIDAY TIPS DO NOT plug power strips into other power strips When putting up lights, make sure your ladder is on a stable, level surface.

WATER YOUR TREE, a real Christmas tree must stay watered.

Use battery operated, LED candles and tea lights.

Never connect more than 3 strings of incandescent lights.

Keep extension cords are in good shape withour nicks, cuts, bare wires, or grounding prongs missing.

Protect your cords from physical damage from doors, pinch points or jagged metal.

MAY YOUR DAYS BE MERRY AND BRIGHT! www.priceelectric.us (515) 957-9027

COMMUNITY HELP // IMPACT COMMUNITY ACTION COVID RENT AND MORTGAGE RELIEF // Impact Community Action Partnership The extreme economic needs presented by the pandemic, in combination with the lack of resources, as well as an impending end to the CDC Eviction Moratorium, has created fewer and fewer places for Central Iowans to turn for housing assistance. It is always IMPACT’s goal to help as many families as possible, however, we are constrained by the sources and conditions of our funding.

IMPACT leverages local, state, and federal funding for our housing programs. The nature of these funding sources do not always allow us to provide stability for the families we serve.

The lack of resources for maintaining safe and secure housing during a pandemic is a public health and safety issue. More consistent funding and resources are needed in order to ensure Central Iowans remain in their homes. The depth of the need was made clear when the $200,000 allocated by the City of Des Moines yesterday allowed us to create a limited number of appointments which were filled by days end.

We do anticipate additional funding in the coming weeks. Up-to-date information on the status of our funding and the availability of appointments can be found on our Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/IMPACTCAP or our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/impactcap.

Donations are always welcome. Information can be found on our website at https://www. impactcap.org/donate

COMMUNITY // PROMENADE EAST VILLAGE 12 DAYS OF PROMENADE // Historic East Village The 19th annual Holiday Promenade in the Historic East Village will be filled with more holiday cheer and merriment than ever before. Festivities will occur over six Sundays and six Wednesdays in November and December creating the 12 Days of Promenade.

The 12 Days of Promenade is sponsored by: MidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa State Bank, 111 E. Grand, Marv’s Music, The Patty and Jim Cownie Charitable Fund, Beal Derkenne Construction, Christensen Development, LifeServe Blood Center, Community Choice Credit Union, Wooly’s, Kitchen Collage, Indie House, Porch Light and She Home and Gift.

Learn more at www.holidaypromenade.com

Respond on Facebook DONT FORGET TO SUBMIT RECEIPTS IN ORDER TO WIN KEEP THE CHEER HERE PRIZE MONEY!

LAW FIRM MEMBER // DAVIS BROWN LAW FIRM DAVIS BROWN LAW FIRM TO COMBINE WITH DENTONS // Davis Brown Davis Brown Law Firm announced today a future combination with Dentons, the world’s largest law firm.

The combination continues the growth of Project Golden Spike, a series of combinations dedicated to advancing the first truly national US law firm capable of helping clients navigate the New Dynamic across 39 US locations and 193 locations across 77 countries around the world.

“In the New Dynamic our clients are confronted with constant, accelerated change and want to work with a law firm that has the experience and confidence to help them navigate it wherever they are located,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman of Dentons. “Davis Brown is a truly exceptional firm and has been ranked as Des Moines’s best law firm for the last 15 years. Our combination with Davis Brown positions us as the first global law firm in Iowa and gets us one step closer to becoming the first truly national US law firm.”

“We are excited about our combination with Dentons, as it dovetails precisely with our client-centric focus on the future of legal services,” said John Pietila, President of Davis Brown. “Clients will continue to work with the Davis Brown lawyers they know and trust, while our lawyers will gain access to a state-of-the-art platform for meeting client needs around efficiency, security and innovation. Combined with our strengths as an Iowa law firm, the national and global reach of Dentons will provide additional opportunities and greater capabilities to solve our clients’ most complex problems.”

Davis Brown is one of the largest law firms in Iowa with close to 80 lawyers and three offices in West Des Moines, Ames and the largest in the Davis Brown Tower in downtown Des Moines. Davis Brown offers a range of legal services to its diverse client base through a number of specialized fields, including agribusiness, construction, emerging businesses, health law, immigration, intellectual property, employment and labor law, litigation and dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, renewable energy, tax, and wills, trusts and probate.

“We are delighted to be combining with Davis Brown in Iowa, a major financial services and insurance hub, and a key and growing market for our clients with Des Moines’ external legal spend exceeding that of the entire country of India,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. “Like Dentons, Davis Brown and its lawyers are repeatedly recognized for the quality of their legal service and their focus on inclusion and diversity and our combination means we can connect clients to leading talent in Iowa and in 77 countries around the world.”

Davis Brown dominates the Iowa legal market and the firm and its lawyers—known for their academic excellence, creativity, integrity, and motivation—are repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers and Chambers. Davis Brown is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners in all five practice areas available in the Iowa chapter of Chambers USA and the firm has also been recognized as the Best Law Firm in Des Moines for 15 consecutive years by the Business Record, the preeminent business journal in Iowa.

The combination with Davis Brown in Iowa expands Dentons’ geographic offering and further strengthens Dentons’ existing Midwest offices. Through the combination, both Davis Brown and Dentons will enhance the depth and breadth of services available to clients among highly regarded practices including corporate, employment, healthcare, insurance, litigation, construction, and real estate, as well as opportunities for growth through smart collaboration in areas including immigration, intellectual property, agriculture, energy, cross-border M&A, public law, and finance.

“Dentons’ polycentric model allows us to retain our defining characteristics as Davis Brown and all that means to our communities, while at the same time accessing a broad range of national and international legal services for our clients,” said Lori Chesser, shareholder and Chair of the Immigration Department at Davis Brown.

“We are in a time of accelerated change and law firms, more than ever before, need to transform to meet and exceed the dynamic needs of clients,” said Toby McClamroch, Managing Partner of Dentons United States Region. “Law firms around the US see the benefits of our Golden Spike model and the combination with Davis Brown will continue our trajectory to better serve our clients’ needs across the 100 largest legal markets in the US.” At launch of the combination with what will be known as Dentons Davis Brown, Dentons will extend its reach to 193 locations—with 39 in the US—in 77 countries.

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP // DSM PARTNERSHIP The Partnership’s DSM 202ONE Annual Kickoff // Greater DSM Partnership The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced Nick Nurse, head coach of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association, will be the keynote speaker at The Partnership’s DSM 202ONE Annual Kickoff. The event will take place virtually on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 from 7:30 – 9 a.m.

Nurse is a native of Carroll and has been the head coach of the Toronto Raptors since 2018 after serving as an assistant coach for the previous five years. Nurse led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA Championship and was named 2019-20 NBA Coach of the Year. Nurse coached the Iowa Energy from 2007 – 2011, where he was named NBA D-League Coach of the Year in 2011. Nurse also coached at Grand View University from 1991 — 1993. He has coached teams from around the world during his 31-year career.

Nurse’s question-and-answer session comes on the heels of an unprecedented season for the NBA that saw the league become the first professional sports league to suspend play due to the COVID-19 pandemic and take a leading role in the social justice conversation.

The Partnership’s DSM 202ONE Annual Kickoff will serve as a launch to 2021 as The Partnership will detail its strategic priorities for the year, as well as recap the economic and community development work completed in 2020. This event is the virtual format of The Partnership’s Annual Dinner traditionally held each January. The event will include virtual networking followed by the program.

Admission & #DSMlocal Boxes The virtual event provides a variety of options for admission including individual Member and Non-Member tickets as well as small business, corporate and community champion packages. With each option is the opportunity to support local Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses with a #DSMlocal Box. Our region is vibrant and unique thanks to the local flavor of our small businesses.

Share the love and support local with a #DSMlocal Box that includes a variety of local products from DSM businesses across the region.

We are one region with one voice, and we have the opportunity to come together and support #DSMlocal as ONE. Together we can help small businesses thrive! #DSMlocal Box is a limited time offer. Item contents will be at unveiled at delivery/pick-up.

REGISTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS // 2020 FuseDSM’s Board of Directors serve a three-year term with a maximum of two terms. Members of the Board focus on the development of Board policies that govern the implementation of institutional plans and purposes. The role is separate and distinct from the role of the staff, to whom are delegated the implementation of these policies.

RANDY SACKETT //

RYAN ANDERSON //

CAROLYN JENISON //

LAURA GIBSON //

TOM WELCHANS //

MICHAEL BIRD //

JEREMY MERRILL //

FERNANDO AVEIGA //

BILL RAINE //

DANIEL WILLRICH //

MEGAN FLETCHER //

PAM THOMPSON //

DANNY BEYER //

PATRICK RUPE //

Yellow & Capital Cab Co, Chair

Central Iowa Center for Independent Living Secretary

Lubinus Law Firm Board Member

Pelds Design Services Board Member

Iron Horse Wealth Management, LLC Board Member

No Coast Consulting Immediate Past

Denman & Company, CPA Treasurer

Hacha & Machete, Inc. Board Member

Siegwerk Board Member

Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company Board Member

SpeakPR Vice Chair

Spindustry Board Member

Raine Recruiting, LLC Board Member

Parks Area Foundation Board Member

OUR FUEL TRUST INVESTORS

INFLUENCE INVESTORS

EMERGE INVESTORS