Northwest Suburbs Networking and Events

Grimes Chamber & Economic Development

Lunch & Learn – Business Self Defense

Grimes Community Complex

410 S.E. Main St., Grimes

May 10, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

$7.50 for members with RSVP, no meal

$15 for members with RSVP

$20 for non-members and walk-ins.

What would you do if someone came into your business with intent to harm you or your co-workers? Join us as we hear from Amy Ratekin, co-founder of C.O.B.R.A.-Self Defense Iowa, who will give tips on keeping you and your fellow team members safe during her presentation on Business Self Defense. More information at www.grimesiowa.com.

Rotary Club of West Polk County

Toyota of Des Moines

1650 S.E. 37th St., Grimes

Meets Mondays at noon

For information on the Rotary Club of West Polk County, visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/8304/.

Metro Business Friends Networking Group

Upper level conference room at Price Chopper

5440 N.W. 86th St. in Johnson.

Meets Thursdays at 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Learn more at www.metrobusinessfriends.com.

Rotary Club of Johnston

Hyperion Field Club

7390 N.W. Beaver Drive

Meets Tuesdays at 7 a.m.

For information on the Rotary Club of Johnston, visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1649

Rotary Club of Northwest Des Moines

Urbandale Golf & Country Club

4000 86th St., Urbandale

Meets Fridays at 11:45 a.m.

For information on the Rotary Club of Northwest Des Moines, visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1664

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

From Chaos to Control Weekly Sessions

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

2830 100th St., Suite 110, Urbandale

Thursdays, April 20 – May 18, 8-9:30 a.m.

FREE for members

Learn budgeting/financials, time management, goal setting, marketing, taxes, systematizing, team building and even succession planning. Facilitated by Greg Thompson, Action Coach, this weekly workshop is meant to provide essential tools for businesses in order to gain a solid business foundation as the business begins to build. You must attend all six sessions. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

AM Exchange

Urbandale Golf & Country Club

4000 86th St., Urbandale

April 25, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Free to attend, but RSVP to accommodate for food and drinks.

People do business with those they know, like and trust. What better place to start building relationships than the AM Exchanges? Urbandale Chamber of Commerce AM Exchange allows members a strategic networking opportunity to gather and do business in the morning. Attendees will be divided into groups of five and will answer two rounds of questions within their groups. In the third and final round, groups will share their answer to all attendees. This strategic networking events allows members to get to know each other and start developing relationships. Cost is included in your chamber membership, but RSVPs are requested to accommodate for food and beverages. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Talk with Officials

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

2830 100th St., Suite 110, Urbandale

April 29, 10:30 a.m. – noon

Free

Connect with your elected officials during these Saturday morning coffee events held monthly throughout the Legislative Session. Talk with your elected officials at all levels including the Senate, House, County, City and Urbandale Schools. Open to the public, no RSVP needed. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Ribbon cutting event for Amazing Panda Learning Center, LLC

Amazing Panda Learning Center, LLC

2550 73rd St., Urbandale

May 4, 4:30-9 p.m.

Join for a ribbon cutting event for the Amazing Panda Learning Center, LLC. Ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 4:45 p.m. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Ribbon cutting event for Aspire Academy

6701 Douglas Ave., Urbandale

May 5, 10 a.m. – noon

Celebrate the grand opening of Aspire Academy. Ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 10:15 a.m. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

genYP: Branding Yourself as a Professional Series

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

2830 100th St., Suite 110, Urbandale

May 9, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

$25 per workshop

This workshop series is designed to provide young professionals with information to excel in their professional and civic endeavors. The series includes four different workshop classes. Participants will be introduced to new tools to bolster their career, interact with leaders and be challenged as future leaders. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Key (Keep Educated Youth) in Des Moines Meeting

Grandview University, Student Center (Speed Lyceum)

2811 E. 14th St., Des Moines

May 10, 8:15-9:30 a.m.

Free

Key in Des Moines is a network of Greater Des Moines Area Colleges and Universities collaborating with the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce and local employers to recruit and retain our educated youth.

Every other month, a different college or university hosts a free educational seminar focused on topics relevant to HR recruitment and retaining of employees.

This month, the featured topic/speaker is: Renee Hardman, Principal Owner of Hardman Consulting. Renee will be presenting on Inclusion: Moving From Implicit Bias to Acceptance.

Learn what Implicit Bias is and how it manifests itself into decisions we make and in our relationships with others. Participants will have the opportunity to examine how their Implicit Biases toward others create “walls and fences” resulting in the inability to move to full acceptance of people different from themselves. The presentation will focus on the need to challenge our biases and the filters by which we see the world with the goal of embracing others without judgment. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Topic: How to Create a Culture of CivilitySpeaker: Scott Raecker, Director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University (formerly known as Character Counts In Iowa)Location: Holiday Inn & Suites (4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale)Cost: $25/members $35/nonmembers

May 17 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Every month members of the Urbandale Chamber come together to network, enjoy lunch and listen to a speaker to learn about happenings in Urbandale and around the Greater Des Moines Area. More information at http://uniquelyurbandale.com.

Johnston Chamber Luncheon

Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center

5291 Stoney Creek Court, Johnston

Thursday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

$20 per member

Find more information or register at https://johnstonchamber.com.

Johnston Chamber Breakfast Before Business

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum

7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston

Tuesday, May 9, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Find more information or register at https://johnstonchamber.com.

Johnston Chamber Ambassador Meeting

Gusto Pizza

8705 Chambery Blvd., Suite 100, Johnston

Thursday, May 18, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Find more information or register at https://johnstonchamber.com. ♦