East Des Moines Chamber of Commerce

Once again we had an enthusiastic group of participants at the Chamber Lunch Club. This is an informal networking opportunity where members gather for lunch, introduce themselves and talk a little about their businesses, then enjoy lunch and conversation around the table. Lunch Club is held the fourth Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Doozie’s in the Embassy Suites on the River. This month, representatives were on hand from:

Greater Iowa Credit Union
Lexicon Consulting
Document Destruction & Recycling
Neumann Design Build Solutions
Action Staffing
Link Associates
Carter Printing
Leechman/Service Legends
Greater Des Moines Hunger Hike
Iowa Telecomm - Baker Communications

(If you were there and I didn’t list you, it’s only because I didn’t get your card! Send me an email at jgreen@edmchamber.org so I can correct this list!)

See you September 23 for the next Lunch Club!

The East Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on August 21 elected Ryan Bomer of Iowa State Bank as Interim President.

Bomer will serve the remainder of the term begun by Jim Goodman, who passed away unexpectedly in June.

Bomer is a Loan Officer with Iowa State Bank in their East Locust location and has been with the bank seven years. He has been an East Des Moines Chamber board member since 2007. He also serves as Secretary of the Community Advisory Council and as a board member for the Corporation For Economic Development In Des Moines.

Snap Fitness at 3440 E. 33rd Street opened its doors with a Chamber-hosted ribbon cutting event on August 12.

Alba Restaurant at 524 E. 6th Street in the East Village now serves lunch, Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Impromptu Studios, offering a new concept in a la carte office space at 300 S.W. Fifth Street, Suite 220, is hosting an Open House/Grand Opening on Thursday, August 28 from 5-8 p.m., with presentation at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.impromptustudio.com for complete information and to learn more about this unique way of working!

The Brenton Skating Plaza now offers bicycle rentals in cooperation with Bike World! Visit www.brentonplaza.com for complete information.

The Neighborhood Development Corporation hosted a ground-breaking on August 19 for La Plaza, its newest building at 1552 E. Grand Ave., just east of the State Capitol.

Association Management, Ltd. (AML) Owner/President Molly A. Lopez, CAE, has been appointed to the Association Management Company (AMC)  Section Council for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership. Lopez will serve as Editor for the AMC Connections quarterly newsletter.

Are you an East Des Moines Chamber member with news to share? Send us an email so we can help spread the word!

On Wednesday, August 20, the East Des Moines Chamber will be hosting “Share Your View,” a breakfast event just for small business owners.

This is a unique opportunity to voice your concerns about the business climate in Greater Des Moines, and to talk about the issues and challenges you are facing as a business owner or manager. Staff members from the Greater Des Moines Partnership will facilitate the discussion. The event is free and continental breakfast will be provided by the Chamber.

Space is limited to the first 20 participants who respond. The event will be held August 20, 7:30-8:30 a.m. here at the Chamber office in the Education Center, 100 East Grand Ave., Suite 100.  Call immediately to reserve your spot - only a few remain - at 283-9312. You can also reply by email to info@edmchamber.org.

Just a reminder about these two ribbon cutting events this week – hope you can attend and support these member businesses!

Tuesday, August 12 – 5-7 p.m. at Snap Fitness, 3440 E. 33rd Street, which is the shopping center at E. 33rd & Hubbell Ave.  New members!

Wednesday, August 13 – 11-11:30 a.m. at Brenton Skating Plaza, 520 Robert D. Ray Drive – right across Locust Street to the north from City Hall - launching their new bike rental service in cooperation with Bike World.

Hope to see you there!

Congratulations and thanks to all who sponsored and participated in the 2008 East Des Moines/South Des Moines/Carlisle Chamber golf outing on August 4! Winners of the three flights and various contests, as well as East Des Moines Chamber sponsors, are shown below. 

Flight 1
Mike Atzen
Curt Fett
Patti George
Craig Robins

Flight 2
Kim Dreher
John Knapp
Jeff Saddoris
Aaron Parker

Flight 3
Annette Hoover
Melinda Huisinga
Louanna Pezzett
Rosemary Vincent

Contest Winners:
Putting Contest (new putter) - Annette Hoover
Longest Putt ($50 gift card to Willow Creek) - Matt Dirkx
Closest to the Pin ($50 gift card to Willow Creek) - Mark Ellis
Longest Drive ($50 gift card to Willow Creek) - Annette Hoover
Longest Drive ($50 gift card to Willow Creek) - Mike Atzen
Gambling Fareway Game ($200 pot) - Bobby Root

East Des Moines Sponsors:
Copy Systems, Inc. – Birdie Sponsorship
Employer Ease – Birdie Sponsorship
Kinter Construction – Par Exclusive
Iowa State Bank – Door Prize donation of $100 in quarters
Estate of Alvin Barcheski – Door Prize donation, framed “St. Andrews” print by Chrystal Skelly
East Village Books – Gift card donation for East Des Moines raffle basket
Gordman’s Store on Hubbell – Gift card donation for East Des Moines raffle basket
Iowa State Fair – Demolition Derby tickets and State Fair Admission tickets for East Des Moines Raffle Basket
Grand View College Bookstore – T-shirt donation for East Des Moines Raffle Basket