Eight scheduled speakers shared their passions, and then 11 people stepped forward from the audience, one by one, to do the same in a lively “Ignite Des Moines” event Sept. 14.

The “ignite” concept surfaced a few years ago in Seattle as a fast-paced way to put a variety of ideas in front of a single audience, by allotting five minutes apiece to a series of speakers.

Dan Shipton, CEO of BitMethod LLC and owner of Impromptu Studio, introduced the format to Des Moines and brought it to the Business Record, which turned it into the paper’s final “Power Breakfast” of the year.

Addressing about 150 people at the Des Moines Club, panel member Zach Mannheimer fired off a bundle of ideas in his five minutes. “We need 20 more restaurants downtown,” he said. “We need more retail downtown. We need more lofts to rent, not buy.” A transplant from New York and the executive director of the Des Moines Social Club, he listed ideas ranging from downtown basketball courts to public murals as ways to keep young people in Central Iowa and attract attention from elsewhere.

MD Isley, executive director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, urged greater support for the arts and culture here, noting that just 4 percent of the nation’s charitable funds went to that category in 2009. Volunteer, donate your skills, brag and, he told the business audience, “most important: write a check.”

Doug Reichardt, chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, spoke about his dream of making Des Moines the wellness capital of the country. Carol Grigilone, a devoted volunteer at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, called for support of efforts to regionalize animal control.

Reno Berg, president of Mainstream Living Inc., described his organization’s efforts on behalf of young people suffering from mental disability and mental illness. Lynnae Hentzen talked about sustainability from the viewpoint of the Center on Sustainable Communities, where she is the executive director.

J. Barry Griswell, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, discussed his favorite topic: the need for more civility in public life. Christian Renaud, president of Palisade Systems Inc., called for the development of an “entrepreneurship ecosystem,” involving classes for young students, more access to capital for start-ups and more mentorship.