List of Upcoming Events related to Business in the Des Moines Area #DMBizEvents for Monday, April 6, through Tuesday, April 14, 2015, PLUS “Save the Dates” for April:

Tune in every Monday evening at 5:15pm to “Insight on Business the News Hour” on AM radio station 1350 KRNT for our favorite picks from the crowd-sourced #DMBizEvents list of Des Moines area business events for the coming two weeks.

Search #DMBizEvents on Twitter to discover events as they are added real-time and tweet using #DMBizEvents hashtag to add your favorite business-related event to our list. Events include networking, mixers, chamber events, educational, informational or social business events being held in the Greater Des Moines Metro area.

Be sure to follow @IOB_Newshour for all your Des Moines Area Business News and Marketing Tips and@AlaureMktg for Des Moines area business education and networking events.

Here are some of our favorite upcoming Des Moines Area Business Events from our list:

Events drawing visitors to Greater Des Moines, week of April 5  via The Business Record.  Twitter @BusinessRecord

• Iowa State Pool Players Association (ISPA), Iowa State 8 & 9 Ball Championships, expected to draw 8,000 attendees to Hy-Vee Hall Convention Center on Monday, April 6 through Sunday, April 12.

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS: The Greater Des Moines Partnership Business Calendar: Consolidated list of all chamber of commerce events in the Des Moines area at https://www.desmoinesmetro.com/en/calendar/

Monday, April 6, 2015

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING PRESENTATION: “Why Snapchat is the breakout marketing tool of 2015,” 6-8PM, Drake University, Meredith Hall, room 234: FREE, but please RSVP in advance as there is limited space. Contact Shari Tenney in the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication office at shari.tenney@drake.edu or 515-271-3194.

Professor Chris Snider and two students will lead this presentation about how students and businesses are using Snapchat. Topics will include: How it works; How people are using it; Why it appeals to young users; How businesses are using it (and what results they are seeing); Why it’s a great marketing tool; Tips and tricks; and How the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication (drakejmc) is using Shapchat. More information: http://sjmc.drake.edu/2015/03/02/professor-chris-snider-to-lead-two-social-media-events-in-april/   Instructor Twitter @ChrisSnider

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

WEEKLY: Iowa Business Connection (IBC), Des Moines Chapter – Coffee Meetup: Every Tues morning 8:00 – 9:00am at Smokey Row, 1910 Cottage Grove Ave. “Turn connections into contacts and contacts into friends. No fees, no dues, no mandatory meetings!” More info:http://www.iowabusinessconnection.com/ or call Matt Youngs at 515-201-8705  LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Iowa-Business-Connection-4603300/about

GRAVITATE LUNCH AND LEARN: Bring your own lunch and learn about “3 Market Realities Facing Entrepreneurs and Innovators.” Noon to 1pm at Gravitate, 206 6th Avenue, 6th Floor Conference Room #DSM.  Presented by Ryan Anderson, VP of Product at The Members Group. Register for FREE event: https://tikly.co/events/542   Twitter @GravitateDSM

DMACC CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS: “Blogging Fundamentals,” 6-9:30pm, DMACC Southridge Campus – $59 (3 1/2 – hours)
Are you considering starting a blog for a business or an organization? Do you want to share your personal expertise? Do you have a blog you would like to get more people to read? Blogging Fundamentals will take you through the mechanics of creating a blog and the content planning process. The course also provides blog-writing best practices, tools and tips for promoting a blog, and an overview of how blogging fits in an overall marketing or personal branding strategy.  More information and to register: https://go.dmacc.edu/conteddesc/pages/ceregistration.aspx  Instructor Twitter @AlaureMktg    DMACC Twitter @DMACCnews  

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

WEEKLY: 1 Million Cups Des Moines: The most innovative energy you’ll feel all week. Every Wednesday, 8am-9am, at Inspired Grounds Café (formally Green Grounds Café) – 117 5^th St., West Des Moines (Valley Junction.) Entrepreneurs present to a savvy audience fueled by free coffee. More Information:https://www.facebook.com/1MillionCupsDSM/info   Twitter @1MillionCupsDSM

MARKETING LUNCH AND LEARN: American Marketing Association, Iowa Chapter presents “The Me Generation Meets Generation Me.” 11:30am-1pm at  Des Moines Golf & Country Club, 1600 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines. $30 for members and $45 for non-members – includes lunch. Speaker: Beth Brady, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, The Principal Financial Group. Traditional advertising tactics focused on the Baby Boomer generation are changing. Millennials will soon surpass this generation in spending power, and their spending habits differ dramatically.  Learn more on how this is changing, and the research behind it.

• Key words, messages and phrases that resonate with boomers vs millennials
• Improved understanding of differences between generations
• Effective advertising methods for millennials and boomers

Information/registration: https://www.amaiowa.com/index.cfm?nodeID=48208&action=register1&eventID=12192    Twitter @AMAiowa

Thursday, April 9, 2015

WEEKLY: Business Incubator Networking Group – Iowa (B.I.N.G. -IA): Free Weekly Lunch and Learn and networking group. Every Thursday at noon at the West Des Moines Incubator – 2829 Westown Parkway, Suite 220, West Des Moines. With FREE open co-working in the WDM Incubator from 1 to 5 PM. Information: http://businessincubatornetworkinggroup.com   Twitter @JadeHandy

NETWORKING: Technology Association of Iowa’s (TAI) TechBrew: 5-7pm at Gramercy Tap (400 Walnut Street, Des Moines). Join us for the Technology Association of Iowa’s TechBrew event, an informal gathering of entrepreneurs, technologists, business people and funders getting together to talk over a beer (social lubrication). Cocktails and networking will begin promptly at 5 pm! First drink FREE! RSVP here: http://www.technologyiowa.org/en/events_services/techbrew/     Twitter @TechnologyIowa

Saturday, April 11, 2015

WEEKLY: Small Business Incubator (BING-IA SES) B.I.N.G. Sweat Equity Saturday Meetup group: 8am to Noon. Meet and help ambitious people who have businesses or business startup aspirations. Roll up your sleeves on a Saturday to launch or grow a business. Meet with your team, work on your next steps, help others with their tasks and challenges and/or just provide your expertise and time to others. This is a time and a place to get things done and make things happen! http://www.meetup.com/Small-Business-Incubator-Meetup-West-Des-Moines-Iowa/events/218852426/   Twitter @JadeHandy

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

WEEKLY: Iowa Business Connection (IBC), Des Moines Chapter – Coffee Meetup: Every Tues morning 8:00 – 9:00am at Smokey Row, 1910 Cottage Grove Ave. “Turn connections into contacts and contacts into friends. No fees, no dues, no mandatory meetings!” More info:http://www.iowabusinessconnection.com/ or call Matt Youngs at 515-201-8705  LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Iowa-Business-Connection-4603300/about

DMACC CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS:  “Facebook Marketing Essentials,” 6-9:30pm, DMACC Southridge Campus – $59 (3 1/2 – hours)
Facebook provides one of the most targeted opportunities for businesses to find and engage with potential and current customers. However, with constant changes to their “algorithm”—which determines how many people will ever see your business posts—it is essential to optimize your business page and to create consistently scheduled and meaningful messages that motivate interaction—the key to improving your “EdgeRank.” This course explores the terms and tools you need to understand for marketing your business with Facebook. Plus, you will explore ways to go beyond the fundamentals to expand your fan base using Facebook ads and promoted posts.  More information and to register: https://go.dmacc.edu/conteddesc/pages/ceregistration.aspx  Instructor Twitter @AlaureMktg    DMACC Twitter @DMACCnews  

SAVE THE DATES:

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

MONTHLY BUSINESS INNOVATION ZONE LUNCH AND LEARN: “Dwolla’s Milne Returns to Start-Up Stories.” 5:30-7pm at Ruan II, 601 Locust
Conference Room 101, Downtown Des Moines. The BIZ hosts “Startup Stories” a monthly lunch networking event where you hear real life stories from the trenches. Meet entrepreneurs who are happy to share their war stories, lessons learned and best advice. The meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month (no meeting in December). For more information, please contact Mike@bizci.com.  For lunch $15 or FREE if you are not eating. Buy tickets here: https://www.desmoinesmetro.com/en/calendar/april_startup_stories_event/    Twitter @BIZ_DSM

Thursday, April 16, 2015

BUSINESS AWARD EVENT: 2015 PROMETHEUS AWARDS:  The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) and LWBJ Financial will host the 10th annual Prometheus Awards on Thursday, April 16th at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. Come celebrate a decade of showcasing Iowa’s brightest successes and innovative thinkers

Information and registration: http://www.technologyiowa.org/en/events_services/prometheus_awards/2015_prometheus_awards/

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS PRESENTATION: Social Media Club of Des Moines presents, “The Impact of Social Media to Recruiters, Your Next Employer and The Law.” 5:30-7pm at Gravitate, 206 6th Avenue, 6th Floor Conference Room. RSVP by April 15 to save! Early bird $10 and $5 for students. Buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smcdsm-the-impact-of-social-media-to-recruiters-your-next-employer-the-law-tickets-15760920337  Twitter @SocialMediaDSM   @GravitateDSM  Hashtag #SMCDSM

As society becomes more and more transparent (meaning our lives are broadcasted now more than ever), we must remain vigilant to guarding our Social Media image. In some ways, an appropriate rule of thumb is a simple update to the advice regarding decisions and actions we take: “Would your mother approve?” Now, we must also ask, “Would my next boss approve?” The Social Media Club of Des Moines is spotlighting the impact social media and the perceptions that are formed by recruiters, human resources and lawyers.

Speakers include:
Melody Maxted – Recruiter, Paragon IT Professionals
Paige Schirone – Marketing Analyst, Paragon IT Professionals
Kyle Schafroth – Human Resources, Meredith Corporation
Brett Trout (Twitter @BrettTrout) – Law Offices of Brett Trout

Thursday, April 30, 2015

BUSINESS EXPO AND NETWORKING: Metro Business Friends : 4-6:30pm at Doc’s Lounge (8805 Chamberry Boulevard, Johnston). Join us for this FREE event. An informal “Business After Hours” with refreshments and people we know and think you will enjoy meeting. Sign up with a friend, bring your business cards and make new connections. RSVP here: https://tikly.co/events/375  Sponsors are limited to non-competing entities but everyone is welcome to attend. Doc’s Lounge is just off 86th, drop in for a few minutes or the evening.

Partial list of Sponsors: Thrive Senior Care, MyTown Publications, Teal Creek Homes, TYSYS Merchant Solutions, Cupcake Addict, Farm Bureau Insurance Services, Pizza Ranch, Terry Snyder Photography, Greenmail, Des Moines Complete, Shaw Chiropractic Center, Builder/ Buyer Servicers, Express Print, Seven Verbs, Remax Realty, and Doc’s Lounge.