WDM Chamber Lights the Marketing Path Forward at Near Sold-Out June Luncheon

On June 12, the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce packed the ballroom at Glen Oaks Country Club for one of the year’s most dynamic events: What’s Hot & What’s Next: Marketing Trends That Drive Growth. Designed as a TED Talk-style power hour, this near sold-out luncheon brought together some of the brightest marketing minds in our region to forecast where strategy, creativity, and technology are headed in 2025—and how today’s professionals can get ahead of the curve.

Each expert took the stage for a fast-paced, high-impact 10-minute talk that left attendees inspired, energized, and armed with tangible tactics to elevate their marketing game. Topics included everything from the influence of artificial intelligence and influencer marketing to earned media, digital engagement, and high-converting events.

Among the powerhouse panel was Erin Rollenhagen, Founder and CEO of People-Friendly Tech, whose talk resonated deeply with the audience. Her central message? Emotion beats logic. With clarity and insight, Erin broke down how emotions—not cold facts—drive the majority of human decisions. She shared her signature three-step framework, ICU:

1. I – Interest: Capture attention by focusing on the audience’s real concerns. Speak to what keeps them up at night—whether it’s rising interest rates or business uncertainty—and make it about them, not you.
2. C – Credibility: Build trust by delivering flawlessly on the core promise that brought them in. Earn the right to say more by first meeting expectations with excellence.
3. U – Urgency & Uplift: Activate short-term action with emotional triggers like fear, but recognize that hope is what builds long-term loyalty. In Erin’s words, fear may spark impulse—but hope sustains momentum.

Her talk drew enthusiastic applause for its blend of neuroscience, marketing savvy, and heart. “Emotion is the foundation of all our decisions,” Erin reminded us—and in that moment, she didn’t just speak about connection; she created it.

Of course, Erin was just one part of an unforgettable lineup. The full roster of speakers included:

• Sarah Borchers, Global Marketing Leader at ITA Group, who shared how digital tools are evolving to deliver hyper-personalized, global-scale experiences.
• Josh Fleming, VP & Marketing Director at Bank Iowa, who explored how AI is changing everything from copywriting to customer service.
• Tar Macias, President of Hola America News, who discussed authentic storytelling and community-first strategies for brand loyalty.
• Whitney Warne, Founder of Evoke EQ and owner of Ivory House Photography, who demonstrated how visual identity and human connection fuel influencer strategies that truly drive ROI.

Whether you’re a startup founder, seasoned CMO, or creative on the rise, this luncheon was packed with insights that delivered real value—without the fluff.

Missed it? Don’t miss the next one. The West Des Moines Chamber continues to raise the bar on thought leadership, business innovation, and meaningful community connection.