James Chung didn\u2019t find Greater Des Moines \u2013 Greater Des Moines found him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chung is the president of Reach Advisors, a strategy, research and predictive analytics firm. Among his clients are U.S. cities wanting to peer deep into his datasets \u2013 he says he extracts data even the U.S. government doesn\u2019t have \u2013 to flush out weaknesses, identify opportunities, and gain competitive advantages over other cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And among those \u201cother cities\u201d? Greater Des Moines, the statistical overachiever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Invariably, when Chung compares client cities to others around the country, Greater Des Moines jumps out of the data as outperforming its peers. So much so, Chung said, that Greater Des Moines could break out as a city known nationally for talent and opportunity, following the pattern of Nashville, Tenn.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; or Boulder, Colo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greater Des Moines is approaching a decision point, Chung says. The region has been in a period of exceptionally rapid growth, and it is well positioned to ride that momentum for some time. But if the region wants to continue growing at the same ambitious pace, it will require intentional planning and a willingness to take on big initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This line of research leads to several challenging questions that Chung will pose to regional leaders: Can Greater Des Moines protect its recent growth from another recession? Should future growth be slow and steady? Or does Greater Des Moines want to turbo-charge its growth and seek out new frontiers, even if new challenges emerge?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, how much can Greater Des Moines capitalize on its momentum?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PRESENTATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n PLEASE NOTE: Google Chrome appears to be having issues displaying the presentation. If you can’t see it, please try another browser.<\/p>\n\n\n [googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”\/file\/d\/1d3aiY1DtLG3HHnM9jXLuq6IcdD3I8HBO\/preview” query=”” width=”900″ height=”520″ \/]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaker James Chung’s presentation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n VIDEO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n