2023 WINNERS
Best CEO
winner Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Don Coffin, Bankers Trust
runner-up David Stark, UnityPoint Health
Best Metro Business Leader
winner Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Don Coffin, Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Jay Byers, Simpson College
Best Business Supporting Local Charity
winner Principal Financial Group
runner-up NCMIC
runner-up Hy-Vee
Best Up and Coming Business Leader
winner Tanner Krause, formerly of Kum & Go
runner-up, Adam Kaduce, R&R Realty
runner-up Tiffany Tauscheck, Greater Des Moines Partnership
Best City Government Conducive to Doing Business
winner West Des Moines
runner-up Des Moines
runner-up Ankeny
Best Nonprofit
winner Animal Rescue League of Iowa
runner-up EveryStep
runner-up ChildServe
Best Commercial Real Estate Company
winner NAI Iowa Realty Commercial
runner-up CBRE
runner-up R&R Realty
Best Commercial Real Estate Agent (Individual)
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 Keller Williams
Best Residential Real Estate Agent (Individual)
winner Rick Wanamaker, Iowa Realty
runner-up Sarah Hopkins, Re/Max
runner-up Julie Baudler, Coldwell Banker
Best Real Estate Property Management Company
winner Hubbell Realty
runner-up R&R Realty
runner-up Ryan Cos.
Best Architectural Firm
winner Shive-Hattery
runner-up RDG Planning & Design
runner-up SVPA
Best Engineering Firm
winner Shive-Hattery
runner-up Baker Group
runner-up Bolton & Menk
Best General Contractor
winner The Weitz Co.
runner-up Ryan Cos.
runner-up Neumann Brothers
Best Development Company
winner Ryan Cos.
runner-up Hubbell Realty
runner-up Kimberley Development
Best Electrical Contractor
winner Baker Group
runner-up Baker Electric
runner-up Tri-City 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 A.J. Allen
Best Commercial Lender
winner Bankers Trust
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank
runner-up West Bank
Best Executive Search Firm
winner Palmer Group
runner-up Robert Half
runner-up Midwest Search Group
Best Temporary Employment Service
winner Palmer Group
runner-up Robert Half
runner-up Hire DSM
Best Training and Development Company
winner Tero International
runner-up ATW Training Solutions
runner-up Sarah Noll Wilson
Best Health Insurance Company
winner Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
runner-up HealthPartners UnityPoint Health
runner-up UnitedHealthcare
Best Life Insurance Company
winner Midwest Heritage Insurance Services
runner-up Principal Life Insurance Co.
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.
Best Property/Casualty Insurance Company
winner EMC Insurance Cos.
runner-up Midwest Heritage
runner-up Nationwide
Best Place to Buy Office Furniture
winner Pigott
runner-up Workspace Inc.
Best Security Company
winner Baker Group
runner-up Per Mar Security
runner-up ADT
Best Manufacturing Company
winner John Deere Des Moines Works
runner-up Kreg Tool
runner-up Accumold
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 Universal Printing
runner-up Christian Edwards
Best Computer Consulting Company
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up QCI
runner-up Grand Consulting
Best Local Internet Service Provider
winner Mediacom
runner-up MetroNet
runner-up CenturyLink
Best Web Developer
winner Webspec Design
runner-up Blue Compass
runner-up Lessing-Flynn
Best Company to Work For
winner Baker Group
runner-up RSM US LLP
runner-up NCMIC
Best Company for Promoting Diversity in the Workplace
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up UnityPoint Health
runner-up Hy-Vee
Best Wealth Management Company
winner Foster Group
runner-up Choreo
runner-up Vivid Tax & Wealth Advisors
Best Auto Dealership
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Bob Brown Chevrolet
runner-up Karl Chevrolet
Best Accounting Firm
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up MHCS
runner-up Eide Bailly
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 LS2group
Best Public Relations Firm
winner LS2group
runner-up Wixted & Co.
runner-up Flynn Wright
Best Social Media Company
winner Webspec Design
runner-up Lessing-Flynn
runner-up Trilix
Best Video Production Company
winner Locust Motion
runner-up Trilix
runner-up Invictus Media
Best MBA Program
winner Iowa State University Ivy College of Business
runner-up University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
runner-up Drake University College of Business and Public Administration
Best Place to Hold a Business Conference
winner Iowa Events Center
runner-up Prairie Meadows
runner-up West48
Best Bar to Entertain Clients
winner Big Grove
runner-up Hello, Marjorie
runner-up Ricochet
Best Caterer
winner Hy-Vee
runner-up Cyd’s Catering
runner-up Tangerine Food Co.
Best Restaurant for Conducting Business
winner Centro
runner-up Fresko
runner-up Biaggi’s
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 Central City Liquors
Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients
winner Iowa Cubs
runner-up Iowa Wild
runner-up Iowa Wolves
Best New Restaurant
winner Cooper’s Hawk
runner-up HomeGrown
runner-up Big Grove
Best Happy Hour
winner Eatery A
runner-up Django
runner-up Big Grove
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 Blank Children’s Hospital (UnityPoint Health)
Best Florist
winner Boesen the Florist
runner-up Hy-Vee
runner-up Wildflower
Best Recycling/Waste Company
winner Metro Waste Authority
runner-up Ankeny Sanitation Inc.
runner-up Waste Management Inc.
Best Jewelry Store
winner Josephs
runner-up Anglo
runner-up Christopher’s Fine Jewelry
Best Men’s Clothier
winner Mr. B
runner-up Von Maur
runner-up Men’s Warehouse
Best Women’s Clothier
winner Von Maur
runner-up Talbots
runner-up Dillard’s
Best Golf Course
winner Des Moines Golf and Country Club
runner-up Waveland Golf Course
runner-up Wakonda Club
Best Exercise Facility
winner YMCA of Greater Des Moines (various locations)
runner-up Life Time Inc.
runner-up Power Life Yoga
Best Cultural Attraction
winner Des Moines Arts Festival
runner-up Iowa State Fair
runner-up Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Best Thing to Happen to Central Iowa in the Past Year
winner NCAA Tournament
runner-up ICON Water Trails
Best Thing that Will Happen to Central Iowa in the Upcoming Year
winner ICON Water Trails
runner-up Topgolf
runner-up Pro Iowa Soccer
Previous Years' Winners
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 a strong and vibrant community.
