Representatives of the regional chambers and affiliate organizations joined more than 160 of Central Iowa’s business, civic, and community leaders for the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. The itinerary underscored a range of advocacy, educational, and networking opportunities for those who participated in the trip June 9-11. 
 

“The cooperative work of this group going to D.C. with one voice, with one mission, speaks volumes for the further development of regional economic initiatives,” said Martha Willits, President and CEO of the Partnership. “Our Congressional delegation acknowledges the hard work that is done by all of our communities and recognizes the strength of this group by working as one united Greater Des Moines region.” 

Attendees witnessed an extensive lineup of guest speakers that addressed the group throughout the three-day trip. The activities kicked off Wednesday, June 9, with a Congressional leadership lunch featuring U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). All seven members of the Iowa Congressional delegation—Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-3rd District), Rep. Tom Latham (R-4th District), Congressman Steve King (R-5th District), Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-2nd District), and Rep. Bruce Braley (D-1st District)—addressed the group at the Thursday breakfast.  Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) addressed the group during the Congressional leadership lunch on Thursday, June 10th.  The Friday morning Congressional Staff Briefing and brunch featured a media panel discussion and analysis on the upcoming elections, the Iowa Caucuses, and items of political interest with Bob Schieffer - Chief Washington Correspondent CBS News and Anchor/Moderator of “Face The Nation”; Judy Woodruff - Senior Correspondent and Co-anchor for PBS’s “NewsHour”; Chuck Todd - Chief White House Correspondent for NBC News; Mark Halperin - Editor-at-large and Senior Political Analyst for TIME magazine; and Kevin Madden - Political Commentator. 

Other participant activities included workshops on wellness, K-12 education reform, sustainable redevelopment, and innovation policy, and a number of other small group meetings with key Administration and Congressional staffers. Visits to the Embassies of Brazil, Australia and India to discuss the expansion of agricultural, commercial, and industrial trade also were conducted. 

The Partnership’s 2010 federal agenda is the result of many months of dialogue with private and public partners throughout the region that continue to strive for economic growth. This year’s agenda focused on a wide-rage of issues including infrastructure, innovation, human capital, and quality of place. Featured priorities focused on health and wellness and regional transportation and quality of life projects. Other topics of discussion included budget and deficits, energy, capital markets regulation, education, immigration, tax, trade, and multiple other issues important to the region. 

View DM/DC trip photos