Business Record Best of Des Moines 2024
Voting now open
Who is the best CEO? What is the best new restaurant? Which sporting event is best for entertaining clients?
Yes, it's time again for the Business Record's annual Best of Des Moines poll, and it's time for you to cast your ballot. As in past years, we ask you, our readers, to vote on the best Des Moines has to offer in a variety of business-related categories.
We simply tally the votes.
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.
