From the President & CEO
"I am thrilled to reflect on a century of growth, collaboration, and prosperity as we celebrate the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce's 100-Year Anniversary in 2024. Our journey has been defined by the dedication of our members, the resilience of our business community, and the enduring spirit of innovation that has propelled us forward. As we mark this milestone, let us not only honor our rich history but also envision a future of continued success, forging new partnerships and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. Here's to a century of excellence, and to the vibrant legacy we continue to build together." -Katherine Harrington
Help Us Celebrate 100 Years
10 Chamber Initiatives and Celebrations for 2024
1. West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Helping to serve our members and region for the next 100 years.
WDM Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees:
- Annie Brandt – Senior Vice President, Market Executive / Bank of America
- Kristi Burma – Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer / Athene
- Chair Elect: Tina Mowry Hadden – Owner & Principal / Mowry Strategies and 2023 WDM Citizen of the Year
- Secretary: Renee Hardman – President & CEO / Lutheran Services in Iowa & West Des Moines City Council Member; Member At-Large
- Jon Hummel – Vice President Commercial Banking / West Bank
- Mike McCoy – CEO / NCMIC
- Matthew McKinney – Gov. Relations Counsel & Litigation Attorney / BrownWinick & West Des Moines City Council Member; At-Large & Mayor Pro Tem
- Jo Christine Miles – Director / Principal Foundation & Community Relations
- Eugene Meyer – Past Mayor / City of West Des Moines
- Chair: Chris Nelson – Building Team Leader / Shive-Hattery
- Treasurer: Paul Schut – Technology Advisory / Marco Technologies
- Loretta Sieman – Owner / LJS Consulting & Past West Des Moines City Council Member
- Therese Wielage – Chief Marketing & Communications Officer / Merchants Bonding Company
WDM Chamber Foundation Advisory Committee:
- Brenda Cushing – Retired Insurance Executive & Board Member
- Dan Houston – Chairman, President & CEO / Principal Financial Group
- Kathryn Kunert – Vice President Economic Connections and Integration / MidAmerican Energy Company
- Suku Radia – Retired Community Leader & Board Member
- Georgia Van Gundy – C-Suite Executive, Community Leader, Chief Advisor
2. Civic Connect – Government Affairs Committee
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee focuses on Education, Engagement, and Encouragement for its members. This is a nonpartisan group of leaders and connectors who help to provide access, information, and proactive engagement that enhances the economic environment of West Des Moines businesses, and community.
3. Visionary Leaders Forum – Where Visionaries Converge
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is proud to introduce the Innovation Council, an exclusive gathering of top CEOs and thought leaders who are shaping the future of business and innovation in our community and beyond. Membership in the Innovation Council is reserved for the most esteemed leaders, including our President’s Council members, and a select group of hand-picked CEOs from our region.
4. 100-Year Anniversary Celebration – May 16 at the Val Air Ballroom
Our Annual Dinner will feature a special celebration where we go back in time in the 1920s for a casino night and an evening you won’t forget including honoring the 79th annual West Des Moines Citizen of the Year.
5. Habitat for Humanity Build – 100-year-old home in Valley Junction
Join the community for a chance to make a positive difference for others. To celebrate our anniversary, we will be working with the region on a special Habitat for Humanity Home Build at 545 8th St. in Valley Junction.
6. 515 West Magazine – Celebrating a Century
Telling the stories of the people, places, and things in our community and region will never be more important as we produce a very special edition of 515 West Magazine and keepsake edition publishing in the Fall of 2024. Contact Anna@wdmchamber.org or Tom@wdmchamber.org to learn more.
7. VIP Dinners at Leaders’ Homes – Special Invitation for Presidents Council Members
We are grateful for area leaders who are opening their homes for our Presidents Council Members. As a way to build even stronger relationships during our 100-year anniversary, we will be enjoying an evening at Dan & Joanie Houston’s home, Suku & Mary’s home, and more.
8. Mentoring for Women Mega Event – March 8th at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
This will be a special Mentoring for Women event you won’t want to miss. We are featuring a full day event, 100 mentors, a full-day fashion show at lunch provided by White House/Black Market, and a cocktail reception. Space will be limited, so stay tuned for updates on our social channels.
9. Mural Project – Highlighting Why We Love West Des Moines
The 100-year committee is working with Bozz Prints on producing a mural that celebrates our community and highlights what we love about West Des Moines.Â
Purchase a limited edition WDM Chamber of Commerce mural print
10. Limited Edition Whiskey – Produced by The Foundry
Not only do we love the sights and sounds of West Des Moines, we love the tastes! The Foundry is working on a special limited-edition whiskey that our investors taste-tested and chose in 2023. Currently, it is in the works and the community can purchase a bottle with accompanying limited-edition glasses. Cheers!
Visit 100 Places To Celebrate 100 Years
Celebrate our 100th Anniversary by visiting 100 iconic WDM locations or WDM Chamber member businesses/organizations. There is no charge to participate in this challenge and those who visit all 100 places will be entered to win a $100 gift card. 100 winners will be randomly selected.
Want your business/organization listed? Or, want to sponsor an iconic WDM location? Click here to learn more about supporting this centennial celebration initative.
Commemorative Poker Chips
To commemorate the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce’s remarkable 100-Year Anniversary, we are excited to introduce a unique and collectible item that captures the essence of our journey: the WDM Chamber’s 100-Year Anniversary Commemorative Poker Chips.
These beautifully crafted poker chips serve as more than just tokens; they symbolize a century of community, collaboration, and commerce. Each chip is a tangible piece of our history, featuring our 100-year logo that highlights the spirit of our business community.
The commemorative poker chips are not merely decorative; they are a tribute to the businesses, leaders, and visionaries who have shaped our organization over the past century. As we hold these chips in our hands, we can feel the weight of a hundred years of progress, innovation, and shared success.
Here’s to celebrating a century of achievements, partnerships, and prosperity—may these commemorative poker chips inspire us to continue dealing success for the next hundred years and beyond.
