It’s time again for our annual Best of Des Moines awards. As in past years, our readers voted via an online open-ended survey for the businesses, people and events that they thought were the “Best of Des Moines.” We simply tallied the votes in all 74 categories.
Congratulations to all of the 2012 Best of Des Moines winners.
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or feedback about the product, feel free to reach out directly to me at [email protected]
- Chris Conetzkey, editor of the Business Record
2012 List of Winners
Executive Search Firm
WINNER: Palmer Group
Runners-up:
• Midwest Search Group
• Francis & Associates Inc.
Temporary Employment Services
WINNER: Palmer Group
Runners-up:
• ManpowerGroup
• PorticoHR
Law Firm
WINNER: Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts P.C.
Runners-up:
• Belin McCormick P.C.
• Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville and Schoenebaum P.L.C.
Buy Office Supplies
WINNER: Staples Inc.
Runners-up:
• Triplett Cos.
• Storey-Kenworthy Co.
Commercial Printer
WINNER: Colorfx, Des Moines
Runners-up:
• Action Print
• Sigler Cos.
Sales and Executive Training
WINNER: Tero International Inc.
Runners-up:
• Dale Carnegie Training
• Dardis Communications Inc.
Public Relations Firm
WINNER: Strategic America Inc.
Runners-up:
• Hanser & Associates LC
• Larson Shannahan Slifka Group (LS2group)
Place to Buy Business Furniture
WINNER: Triplett Cos.
Runners-up:
• Storey-Kenworthy Co.
• WorkSpace Inc.
• Homemakers Furniture
Advertising Agency
WINNER: Flynn/Wright Inc.
Runners-up:
• Strategic America Inc.
• Spindustry Digital
Travel Agency
WINNER: International Travel Associates
Runners-up:
• AAA
• Travel and Transport
Living Here
Coffee
WINNER: Starbucks Corp.
Runners-up:
• Caribou Coffee Co. Inc.
• Friedrichs Coffee LLC
Place to Hold a Business Conference
WINNER: Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at Veterans Memorial
Runners-up:
• Des Moines Marriott Downtown
• Hy-Vee Conference Center
Hospital
WINNER: Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Runners-up:
• Mercy Medical Center
• Iowa Lutheran Hospital
MBA Program
WINNER: Drake University
Runners-up:
• University of Iowa
• Iowa State University
Recycling/Waste
WINNER: Metro Waste Authority
Runners-up:
• Waste Management
• RecycleME Iowa
Residential Neighborhood
WINNER: Beaverdale
Runners-up:
• Urbandale
• West Des Moines
Auto Repairs
WINNER: Westside Auto Pros
Runners-up:
• Willis Auto Campus
• Drake Garage
Jewelry Store
WINNER: Josephs Jewelers
Runners-up:
• Anglo International
• Iowa Diamond
Florist
WINNER: Boesen the Florist
Runners-up:
• Hy-Vee Inc.
• Plaza Florist & Gifts Inc.
Auto Dealer
WINNER: Willis Auto Campus
Runners-up:
• Stivers Ford Lincoln
• Karl Chevrolet
Men’s Clothier
WINNER: Mr. B
Runners-up:
• Badowers
• Von Maur Inc.
Women’s Clothier
WINNER: Von Maur Inc.
Runners-up:
• Younkers
• Mr. B
Leadership
Nonprofit Organization
WINNER: Animal Rescue League of Iowa
Runners-up:
• United Way of Central Iowa
• Children and Families of Iowa
Business to Support Local Charity
WINNER: Principal Financial Group Inc.
Runners-up:
• Wells Fargo & Co.
• Bankers Trust Co.
CEO
WINNER: Dave Vellinga
Runners-up:
• Suku Radia, Bankers Trust Co.
• Eric Crowell, Iowa Health-Des Moines
Minority Business Leader
WINNER: Suku Radia
Runners-up:
• Michael Sadler, CenturyLink Inc.
• Fred Buie, Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Co.
Metro Business Leader
WINNER: Suku Radia
Runners-up:
• Steve Purcell, Mediacom
• Larry Zimpleman, Principal Financial Group Inc.
Up and Coming Business Leader
WINNER: Frank Scaglione
Runners-up:
• David Stark, president and chief operating officer for Blank Children’s Hospital
• Ben Milne, founder of Dwolla
Politician on Business Issues
WINNER: Terry Branstad
Runners-up:
• Charles Grassley
• Bill Peard
Small Company with the Brightest Future
WINNER: Strategic America Inc.
Runners-up:
• Dwolla Inc.
• Larson Shannahan Slifka Group (LS2group)
Large Company with the Brightest Future
WINNER: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runners-up:
• Iowa Health - Des Moines
• Principal Financial Group Inc.
Company Work Force
WINNER: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runners-up:
• Iowa Health - Des Moines
• Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines
Technology
Wireless Phone Service
WINNER: Verizon Wireless
Runners-up:
• U.S. Cellular Corp.
• Sprint Nextel Corp.
Computer Training Company
WINNER: Spindustry Training
Runners-up:
• New Horizons Computer Learning Centers
• Internet Solver Inc.
Web Developer
WINNER: Blue Compass Interactive LLC & (TIE)
WINNER: Spindustry Digital
Runner-up:
• Webspec Design LLC
Computer Consulting Company
WINNER: Spindustry Digital
Runners-up:
• Alliance Technologies
• Internet Solver Inc.
Social Media Company
WINNER: Spindustry Digital
Runners-up:
• Strategic America Inc.
• Hanser & Associates LC
Tech Start-up with the Brightest Future
WINNER: Dwolla Inc. Runners-up:
• FreeBee Cards
• Tikly LLC
Video Production Company
WINNER: Screenscape Studios Ltd.
Runners-up:
• Blur MediaWorks Inc.
• Professional Video Inc.
Telecommunications Equipment Provider
WINNER: Internet Solver Inc.
Runners-up:
• McGladrey LLC
• CenturyLink Inc.
Local Internet Service Provider
WINNER: Mediacom
Runners-up:
• CenturyLink Inc.
• Internet Solver Inc.
Company Use of Social Media
WINNER: Mediacom
Runners-up:
• West Glen Town Center
• Kum & Go LC
Finance & Insurance
Life Insurance Company
WINNER: Principal Financial Group Inc.
Runners-up:
• Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
• Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co.
Health Insurance Company
WINNER: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Runners-up:
• UnitedHealthcare
• Coventry Health Care
Property/Casualty Insurance Company
WINNER: State Farm
Runners-up:
• Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
• EMC Insurance Cos.
Accounting Firm
WINNER: McGladrey LLP
Runners-up:
• McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith P.C.
• LWBJ Financial
Credit Union
WINNER: Veridian Credit Union
Runners-up:
• Community Choice Credit Union
• Premier Credit Union
Bank
WINNER: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runners-up:
• Bankers Trust Co.
• West Bank
Commercial Lender
WINNER: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runners-up:
• Bankers Trust Co.
• West Bank
Wealth Management Company
WINNER: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runners-up:
• McGladrey LLP
• BTC Capital Management Inc.
Entertainment
New Restaurant
WINNER: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
Runners-up:
• Americana Restaurant & Lounge
• Jethro’s Jambalaya
Restaurant for Conducting Business
WINNER: Centro
Runners-up:
• Django
• Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
Restaurant for Out of Town Guests
WINNER: Centro
Runners-up:
• Django
• Tursi’s Latin King
Exercise Facility
WINNER: YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Runners-up:
• Aspen Athletic Club
• YMCA Healthy Living Center
Sporting Event for Entertaining
WINNER: Iowa Cubs
Runners-up:
• Iowa Barnstormers
• Principal Charity Classic
Bar to Entertain Clients
WINNER: Star Bar
Runners-up:
• Centro
• Wellman’s Rooftop
Happy Hour
WINNER: Wellman’s Rooftop
Runners-up:
• Johnny’s Hall of Fame
• Americana
Caterer
WINNER: Palmer’s Deli & Market
Runners-up:
• Hy-Vee Inc.
• In the Bag
Golf Course
WINNER: Des Moines Golf and Country Club
Runners-up:
• Wakonda Club
• The Legacy Golf Club
• Waveland Golf Course
Wine and Spirits
WINNER: Hy-Vee Inc.
Runners-up:
• Ingersoll Wine and Spirits
• WineStyles
Cultural Attraction
WINNER: Des Moines Arts Festival
Runners-up:
• John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
• Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Building Iowa
Thing to Happen to Des Moines in Past Year
WINNER: NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Runners-up:
• Iowa State Fair
• Des Moines Arts Festival
Architecture Firm
WINNER: DLR Group Inc.
• RDG Planning & Design PC
• SVPA Architects Inc., West Des Moines
Engineering Firm
WINNER: DLR Group Inc.
• Shive-Hattery Inc., West Des Moines
• Brooks Borg Skiles Architecture Engineering LLP
City Government Conducive to Business
WINNER: West Des Moines
Runners-up:
• Des Moines
• Ankeny
General Contractor
WINNER: The Weitz Company
Runners-up:
• Graham Construction Co.
• Hubbell Construction Services
Electrical Contractor
WINNER: Baker Electric Co.
Runners-up:
• Wolin and Associates Inc.
• ABC-Electrical Contractors LLC
Mechanical Contractor
WINNER: Baker Group
Runners-up:
• The Waldinger Corporation
• Wolin And Associates, Inc., West Des Moines
Residential Real Estate Company
WINNER: Iowa Realty Inc.
Runners-up:
• Re/Max LLC
• Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC
Thing that Will Happen in the Upcoming Year
WINNER: Presidential elections (whichever way you are going to vote)
Runners-up:
• Whole Foods opening
• Principal Riverwalk completed
Commercial Real Estate Company
WINNER: CBRE/Hubbell Commercial
Runners-up:
• Iowa Realty Commercial
• R&R Realty Group LLC
Real Estate Property Management
WINNER: Hubbell Property Management
Runners-up:
• Knapp Properties Inc
• Terrus Real Estate Group LLC
Development Company
WINNER: Hubbell Realty Co.
Runners-up:
• Knapp Properties Inc
• R&R Realty Group LLC
Home Builder
WINNER: Hubbell Homes
Runners-up:
• Jerry’s Homes Inc.
• Kimberley Homes Inc.