For Tiffany Menke, it’s all about whom you know.

“It’s so vital to be able to network with other professionals to continue to move the organization forward,” she said.

Menke, 29, is in her second month as the executive director of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, where she is using her professional contacts to help promote the city.

“I’ve been so involved at the state level, and there’s an overlap with the tourism industry,” she said. “The networking component is invaluable.”

Menke left her hometown of Newton after six years as the vice president of marketing and tourism for the Newton Chamber/Alliance. She was charged with serving as director of the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau, a division of the Newton Chamber/Alliance. She also carried out marketing projects for the Newton Development Corporation, Newton Housing Development Corporation and the Newton Chamber of Commerce, all or which under the Newton Chamber/Alliance umbrella.

Her networking abilities have been aided through her career and work with a variety of volunteer organizations. She created the Iowa Meetings Association from scratch, becoming the organization’s president. She is a past president of the Central Iowa Tourism Region, past board member of the Iowa Travel Group and former district leader for the Travel Federation of Iowa.

The mother of two said balancing career and volunteer work has never been difficult, though it’s sometimes hard to balance the two with family.

“When there’s passion, there’s always a way to get it done,” she said.

That passion has also led to numerous honors, including a 2002 Governor’s Volunteer Award and a 2002 Iowa Jaycees Outstanding Young Iowan Award.

Menke entered the convention and tourism industry almost by accident.

The outgoing president of the Jasper County Alliance for Economic Development insisted she interview for the position with the Newton Chamber/Alliance, even though she did not have a background in tourism. After a two-hour interview, she found herself the top candidate for the position and she got the job.

“It was the people skills I had that helped me,” she said.

Her completion of the Institute for Organization Management, a specialized and intense training program through the United States Chamber of Commerce, allowed Menke to focus on association and chamber of commerce management through four, week-long sessions over the course of four years.

“My first year (in the institute) piqued my interest in becoming director of a chamber of commerce,” Menke said. “When the Urbandale position opened, it was exactly what I was looking for. “It’s a progressive community with a small-town feel that has active members with passion for the community and the chamber.”

As executive director of the Urbandale chamber, Menke is charged with overseeing the day-to-day and assisting the board of directors in fulfilling the goals it sets in its strategic plans, focusing on economic development, business growth and an increased quality of life.

“Through my involvement in Newton, I am able to use a lot of the marketing experience and background to carry out the promotions of the business community,” she said, noting her extensive experience in organizing volunteer staffs.

“Any organization can attest that working with volunteers is vital,” she said. “Here there is younger involvement and businesses that will allow them the opportunity to get involved.”