Presentations
August 1, 2024
Middlebrook Agrihood Development
The featured speaker was Tim Portzen, Vice President of Diligent Development. Tim presented an update on the Middlebrook Agrihood residential and commercial development in Cumming.
June 6, 2024
City of Des Moines Update
The featured speaker was Carrie Kruse, Interim Economic Development Administrator with the City of Des Moines. Carrie presented an update on recent developments, current projects and future plans in the City of Des Moines.
May 2, 2024
InvestDSM Update
The featured speakers were Amber Lynch, Executive Director and Christopher Civitate, Neighborhood Development Director for InvestDSM. Amber and Christopher presented an update on recent activities, current projects and future plans.
April 4, 2024
​Transportation Project Update
The featured speaker was Dylan Mullinex, Executive Officer, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO). Dylan presented an update on the local transportation projects that are being considered for DMAMPO funding.
March 7, 2024
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Presentation
The featured speaker was Mel Pins, Executive Officer, Solid Waste & Contaminated Sites Section of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Mel discussed the environmental due diligence process, and presented a summary of technical and financial assistance programs, highlighted by the Varsity Theater project.
September 7, 2023
Grimes Chamber and Economic Development Update
The featured speaker was Brian Buethe, President and CEO of the Grimes Chamber and Economic Development. Brian presented an update on recent activity, current projects and future developments in the city of Grimes.
August 3, 2023
Iowa Real Estate Developers Association
The featured speaker was Joe Mitchell, President and Founder of the Iowa Real Estate Developers Association (IRDA). Joe talked about the mission and initiatives of the IRDA and its membership.
June 1, 2023
Iowa Secretary of State Office
The featured speaker was Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State. Secretary Pate presented an update on the Iowa Secretary of State Office and its duties, responsibilities and activities.
May 4, 2023
Des Moines Residential Market Update
The featured speaker was Kim Bakey, President of the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors and CEO of Home Services of Iowa. Kim presented an update on the current Des Moines area residential market and the market outlook.
April 6, 2023
Banking Update
The featured speaker was Jeff Plagge, State of Iowa Superintendent of Banking. Jeff reviewed the Iowa Division of Banking duties & responsibilities, and shared his perspective on the current status of local, regional and national banks with operations in Iowa.
April 6, 2023
Banking Update
The featured speaker was Jeff Plagge, State of Iowa Superintendent of Banking. Jeff reviewed the Iowa Division of Banking duties & responsibilities, and shared his perspective on the current status of local, regional and national banks with operations in Iowa.
January 5, 2023
Update from the Polk County Assessor's Office
The featured speakers were Bryon Tack, Chief Deputy and Paul Humble, Deputy with the Polk County Assessor's Office.
June 2, 2022
Des Moines Transportation Projects
The featured speaker was Todd Ashby, Executive Director of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Todd presented on recent developments and future transportation projects in the Des Moines area.
March 3, 2022
Iowa Property Tax Delinquency and Tax Sales
The featured speakers were Jodi Gjersvik, Polk County Deputy Treasurer, Tax Division, and Mary Wells, Polk County Treasurer. They presented on Iowa property tax delinquency and tax sales.
February 3, 2022
Proposed Regional Governance for Drinking Water Production
The featured speaker was Ted Corrigan, CEO & General Manager for Des Moines Water Works. Ted presented on the proposed regional governance for drinking water production in the Greater Des Moines area.
January 6, 2022
Des Moines International Airport Update
The featured speaker was Kevin Foley, Executive Director of the Des Moines International Airport. Kevin provided an update on the new airport terminal plan and the reconfiguration of the facility.
December 8, 2021
Update from the City of Waukee
The featured speaker was Brad Deets, Assistant City Administrator for the City of Waukee. Brad reviewed the KeeTown Loop project, other recent developments and future plans in Waukee.
June 3, 2021
I.R.C. Section 1031 Exchanges: Legislative Update
The featured speaker was David Brown, President of IPE1031. David provided a legislative update on section 1031 Exchanges.
May 6, 2021
Iowa Business Council's Quarterly Economic Outlook Survey and annual research project called the Competitive Dashboard.
The featured speaker was Joe Murphy, Executive Director of the Iowa Business Council. Joe presented on their quarterly Economic Outlook Survey and annual research project called the Competitive Dashboard. This benchmarks Iowa against the rest of the country in a number of key metrics.
April 1, 2021
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand Streetscape Project
The featured speaker was Kris Maggard, Executive Director of the Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand. Kris presented on the progress and future plans for The Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand Streetscape project.
April 1, 2021
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand Streetscape Project
The featured speaker was Kris Maggard, Executive Director of the Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand. Kris presented on the progress and future plans for The Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand Streetscape project.
March 4, 2021
2020 Real Estate Market Activity & Preview of Polk County Property Assessments
The featured speakers were Randy Ripperger, polk County Assessor and Bryon Tack, Polk County Commercial Deputy Assessor. They presented a summary of 2020 real estate market activity and a preview of the Polk County 2021 revaluations and property assessments.
March 4, 2021
2020 Real Estate Market Activity & Preview of Polk County Property Assessments
The featured speakers were Randy Ripperger, polk County Assessor and Bryon Tack, Polk County Commercial Deputy Assessor. They presented a summary of 2020 real estate market activity and a preview of the Polk County 2021 revaluations and property assessments.
February 4, 2021
Des Moines Commercial Real Estate Market Update
Brandon Svec, Director & Market Economist presented a market update.
January 7, 2021
GrimesPlex and Hope District Development
Tim Day, Director of Real Estate Service for Hope Development & Realty and Brian Buethe, President/CEO of the Grimes Chamber of Commerce & Economic development presented.
November 18, 2020
Legislative Update
Jim Carney , Doug Struyk, & Jenny Dorman provided a legeslative update during the Law Update class on November 18th.
March 5, 2020
Pro Iowa Update
The featured speaker was Niki DePhillips, Senior Vice President with Kum & Go. Niki shared details about Pro Iowa, the initiative to bring a professional soccer team and stadium to Central Iowa.
February 19, 2020
City of Bondurant Update
The featured speaker was Marketa Oliver, City Administrator for the City of Bondurant. Marketa presented on Project Bluejay (Amazon)Â and reviewed other recent developments, current projects and future plans in the City of Bondurant.
February 6, 2020
University Redevelopment Plan
The featured speaker was Chris Shires, Urban Designer and Planner with Confluence. Chris presented the redevelopment plan for the University Avenue corridor in West Des Moines and Clive, stretching from 22nd/86th Street to I-35/80.
January 2, 2020
Ag Update
The featured speaker was Randy Hertz, CEO of Hertz Farmland Management. Randy reviewed the current status of ag land values, crop yields, commodity prices, the U.S.-China trade disputes & tariffs, the federal farm aid program and farmland sales activity.
November 7, 2019
Des Moines Area Integrated Corridor Management Project
The featured speaker was Neal Fobian, P.E. with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Neal spoke  on the Des Moines Area Integrated Corridor Management Project.
August 1, 2019
Downtown E-Scooters
The featured speaker was Mike Armstrong, Director of Planning and Communications for the Street Collective of Greater Des Moines. Mike spoke about laying the groundwork and the launch of e-scooters in central Iowa.
June 6, 2019
ISU MRED Program
The featured speakers were Jackie Ulmer, Associate Dean, Ivy College of Business and Dan Kuhlman, Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning at Iowa State University. They presented a general overview of faculty and curriculum for the new Master of Real Estate Development degree being offered at ISU.
February 19, 2019
Des Moines Area MPO
The featured speaker was Todd Ashby, Executive Director of the Des Moines Area MPO. Todd will give an update on recent developments, current projects and future plans for transportation in central Iowa.
February 7, 2019
City of Des Moines
The featured speaker was Erin Olson-Douglas, Economic Development Director for the City of Des Moines. Erin reviewed recent commercial real estate developments, current projects and future plans in the City of Des Moines.
January 3, 2019
Opportunity Zones
The featured speaker was Brandon Pratt ,CPA, & Tax Manager with LWBJ Accounting Firm. Brandon presented the details on the new Economic Opportunity Zones that were approved as part of the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The zones have been established to spur economic activity and incentivize investors in areas most in need.