Compiled by Mathany Ahmed and Emily Barske Wood

As we do each year, we asked our readers to cast votes for what Des Moines has to offer in a variety of business-related categories. These businesses make up an ecosystem in our region that supports the local economy and the community at large. 

Here’s how it worked: You voted. We checked the data, removed any suspicious or erroneous votes and then tallied the results for all 69 categories. All Greater Des Moines businesses, people and organizations are eligible to win categories. In other words, there was no cost to be listed as an option due to the survey being open-ended. You can’t pay to win a category.

These leaders from varying industries shared with us their stories about developing a strong culture in the workplace, what they hope for Des Moines’ future and what role technology — especially artificial intelligence — will play in that future.

The following is the list of winners. Read a selection of perspectives from the winners who responded to the questions we asked them here. We hope you enjoy reading them. 

And to our audience, thank you for your continued participation in Best of Des Moines voting.

— Emily Barske Wood, special projects editor

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Best CEO
winner Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Tray Wade, EveryStep
runner-up Don Coffin, Bankers Trust Co.

Best Metro Business Leader 
winner Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Don Coffin, Bankers Trust
runner-up Tray Wade, EveryStep

Best Business Supporting Local Charity 
winner Principal Financial Group
runner-up NCMIC
runner-up Bankers Trust

Best Up-and-Coming Business Leader 
co-winner Tiffany Tauscheck, Greater Des Moines Partnership
co-winner Tony Dickinson, NCMIC
runner-up Skylar Mayberry-Mayes, Grandview University

Best City Government Conducive to Doing Business 
winner West Des Moines
runner-up Des Moines
runner-up Waukee

Best Nonprofit 
winner EveryStep
runner-up Lutheran Services in Iowa 
runner-up Animal Rescue League of Iowa

Best Commercial Real Estate Company 
winner R&R Realty Group
runner-up Hubbell Realty
runner-up NAI Iowa Realty Commercial

Best Commercial Real Estate Agent 
winner Adam Kaduce, R&R Realty Group
runner-up Kevin Crowley, NAI Iowa Realty Commercial
runner-up Bill Wright, CBRE

Best Residential Real Estate Company 
winner Iowa Realty
runner-up Re/Max
runner-up Hubbell Realty

Best Residential Real Estate Agent 
winner Rick Wanamaker, Iowa Realty
runner-up Sarah Hopkins, Re/Max
runner-up Gina Swanson, Century 21

Best Real Estate Property Management Company 
winner R&R Realty Group
runner-up Hubbell Realty
runner-up Knapp Properties

Best Architectural Firm 
winner RDG Planning & Design
runner-up Shive-Hattery 
runner-up SVPA

Best Engineering Firm 
winner Veenstra & Kimm
runner-up Shive-Hattery
runner-up McClure Engineering

Best General Contractor 
winner The Weitz Co.
runner-up Hy-Vee Construction
runner-up Ryan Cos.

Best Development Company 
winner Hubbell Realty
runner-up Christensen Development
runner-up R&R Realty Group
runner-up Knapp Properties

Best Electrical Contractor 
winner Tri-City Electric  
runner-up Waldinger
runner-up Baker Electric

Best Homebuilder 
winner Kimberley Development
runner-up Hubbell Homes
runner-up KRM Development

Best Mechanical Contractor 
winner Baker Group
runner-up Waldinger
runner-up Excel Mechanical

Best Commercial Lender 
winner Bankers Trust
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank
runner-up West Bank

Best Executive Search Firm 
winner Palmer Group
runner -up Career Search Associates  
runner -up Midwest Search Group

Best Temporary Employment Service 
winner Palmer Group
runner-up Hire DSM 
runner-up Aerotek

Best Training and Development Company 
winner Tero International
runner-up ATW Training Solutions
runner-up RSM US LLP

Best Health Insurance Company 
winner Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
runner-up HealthPartners UnityPoint Health
runner-up UnitedHealthcare

Best Life Insurance Company 
winner Principal Life Insurance Co.
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.
runner-up Midwest Heritage Insurance Services

Best Property/Casualty Insurance Company 
winner EMC Insurance Cos.
runner-up Midwest Heritage
runner-up Accel Group

Best Place to Buy Office Furniture 
winner Pigott
runner-up Workspace Inc.
runner-up Triplett Office Solutions

Best Security Company 
winner Per Mar Security Services
runner-up A+ Communications, Security & Home Solutions
runner-up Tri-City Electric 

Best Manufacturing Company 
winner Kreg Tool
runner-up Vermeer Corp.  
runner-up John Deere Des Moines Works

Best Bank 
winner Bankers Trust
runner-up West Bank
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank

Best Credit Union 
winner Veridian Credit Union
runner-up GreenState Credit Union
runner-up Community Choice Credit Union

Best Commercial Printer 
winner Beeline and Blue 
runner-up Christian Edwards
runner-up Integrity Printing

Best Computer Consulting Company 
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up Little Dog Tech
runner-up Tri-City Electric

Best Local Internet Service Provider 
winner Metronet 
runner-up Mediacom
runner-up Mi-Fiber

Best Web Developer 
winner Trio Agency 
runner-up Webspec Design
runner-up LS2group

Best Company to Work For  
winner Tri-City Electric 
runner-up RSM US LLP
runner-up EveryStep

Best Company for Promoting Diversity in the Workplace 
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up EveryStep
runner-up Bankers Trust

Best Wealth Management Company 
winner Foster Group 
runner-up Choreo
runner-up BTC Wealth Management (Bankers Trust)

Best Auto Dealership 
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Bob Brown Chevrolet
runner-up Karl Chevrolet

Best Accounting Firm 
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up McGowen Hurst Clark Smith
runner-up UHY Advisors 

Best Law Firm 
winner Dentons Davis Brown
runner-up BrownWinick  
runner-up Brick Gentry

Best Advertising Agency 
winner Flynn Wright
runner-up Webspec Design  
runner-up Lessing-Flynn 

Best Public Relations Firm 
winner LS2group 
runner-up Strategic America
runner-up Flynn Wright

Best Social Media Company 
winner Trio Agency
runner-up LS2group
runner-up Webspec Design 

Best Video Production Company 
winner Locust Motion
runner-up Trilix
runner-up Lessing-Flynn

Best MBA Program 
winner Iowa State University Ivy College of Business
runner-up University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
runner-up Drake University – Zimpleman College of Business

Best Place to Hold a Business Conference 
winner Iowa Events Center
runner-up Hilton Des Moines Downtown
runner-up Prairie Meadows

Best Bar to Entertain Clients 
winner Big Grove
runner-up Hello, Marjorie
runner-up The Republic on Grand 

Best Caterer 
winner Cyd’s Catering
runner-up Hy-Vee
runner-up Great Caterers of Iowa

Best Restaurant for Conducting Business 
winner Centro
runner-up 801 Chophouse  
runner-up Fresko

Best Coffee Shop for Conducting Business 
winner Smokey Row
runner-up Scenic Route Bakery 
runner-up Starbucks 

Best Place to Buy Wine and Spirits 
winner Hy-Vee
runner-up Ingersoll Wine & Spirts
runner-up Wall to Wall Wine & Spirits

Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients 
winner Iowa Cubs
runner-up Iowa Wild  
runner-up Iowa Wolves

Best New Restaurant 
winner Oak Park
runner-up Either/Or
runner-up Table 128

Best Happy Hour 
winner Eatery A
runner-up Django 
runner-up Wahlburgers

Best Place for Auto Repairs 
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Beckley’s Automotive Services
runner-up Drake Garage

Best Hospital/Health Care System 
winner Iowa Methodist Medical Center (UnityPoint Health)
runner-up MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
runner-up Broadlawns Medical Center

Best Florist 
winner Boesen the Florist
runner-up Hy-Vee
runner-up Wildflower

Best Jewelry Store 
winner Josephs
runner-up Anglo
runner-up Owen Jewelry Design

Best Golf Course 
winner Des Moines Golf and Country Club
runner-up Waveland Golf Course
runner-up Wakonda Club

Best Exercise Facility 
winner Life Time Inc.
runner-up YMCA of Greater Des Moines (various locations)
runner-up Power Life Yoga

Best Cultural Attraction 
winner Pappajohn Sculpture Park  
runner-up Des Moines Arts Festival
runner-up Des Moines Art Center

Best Thing to Happen to Central Iowa in the Past Year 
winner Caitlin Clark – University of Iowa
runner-up Hy-Vee IndyCar Weekend
runner-up Global Insurance Symposium

Best Thing That Will Happen to Central Iowa in the Upcoming Year 
winner Topgolf – Hurd Real Estate
runner-up Pro Iowa Soccer – Krause Group
runner-up Des Moines International Airport expansion

Best-Dressed Business Professional 
winner Doug Roozeboom (RSM US LLP) 
runner-up Dr. Ian Roberts (DMPS)
runner-up Tony Dickinson (NCMIC) 

Best Urban Renewal Project 
winner Gray’s Station runner-up Market District (The District Developers LLC)
runner-up 6th Avenue Corridor

Best Service Staff 
winner Oak Park 
runner-up Your Private Bar
runner-up Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar

Best Local Podcast 
winner ARL – For Love of Animals 
runner-up Bankers Trust Community Difference Makers
runner-up Hubbell Realty – Dig It

Best Hotel for Business Travelers 
winner Hilton Des Moines Downtown 
runner-up Des Moines Marriott Downtown
runner-up Hotel Fort Des Moines

Best Live Music Venue 
winner Wooly’s 
runner-up Hoyt Sherman Place
runner-up Vibrant Music Hall