The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s 126th annual dinner drew more than 1,200 business and community leaders, who learned about the area’s accomplishments, honored diversity award winners and heard Pulitzer Prize -winning author Jon Meacham.

Partnership Chairman Paul E. Schickler, president of DuPont Pioneer, yielded to this year’s chairman, Gerry Neugent, president and CEO of Knapp Properties Inc.

“Last year was yet another truly big year for Central Iowa,” Schickler said. “Greater Des Moines continues to grow as a globally competitive region that fosters a thriving business community, encourages entrepreneurialism, elevates our local economy, and is a great place to build a business, a career and a future.”

Neugent was named vice chair in 2014 after serving on the Partnership’s Executive Committee since 2012.  

The Partnership presented its 2014 Annual Report in a video that featured time-lapse photography and a musical score. The video is also available on YouTube.

The event also celebrated the diversity and inclusion efforts within the business community.

The Partnership’s 2015 Inclusion Awards went to Wells Fargo & Co., Bankers Trust Co. and Faegre Baker Daniels LLP.

Meacham, who had the crowd laughing at his quick wit and sometimes off-color yarns about various presidencies, spoke of three things great presidents shared: affinity for culture; capacity to learn; and connection and joy in the job.