Annual Meeting
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
We strive to be the top economic growth region in the country
Our signature event of the year is nearly here! Read the latest version of the Inside Scoop for the lowdown on all things Annual Meeting.
What to Expect
We like to refer to the Annual Meeting as our “signature event”, because it is the most holistic look at the progress we, and the business community at large, have made throughout the year. Representatives from all of our 1,200 member businesses are invited to gather and celebrate with us. Attendees will hear from a swath of important business representatives throughout the Cedar Rapids metro, along with members of our own team. Finally, we will be bestowing our most prestigious award of the year to a business leader who exemplifies our mission with the presentation of the Howard Hall Excellence in Business Award. More on that below.
This year’s event takes place January 28 at DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids. A plated lunch will be served. If you would like a ticket to the event, please use this link. Registration will close on January 22.
Howard Hall Excellence in Business Award
Pankaj Monga is this year’s Howard Hall Excellence in Business Award Recipient!
Pankaj serves as the President and CEO of Channel Fusion , a tech-enabled services company he founded in 2003 from his basement. Today, it operates in three countries and has over 170 employees. In his role, Pankaj consults C-level executives of global Fortune 500 companies such as John Deere, Michelin, Pirelli, Timberland, and others on global channel incentive and enablement initiatives while guiding the creation of new technology and services for future growth.
Pankaj has over 30 years of experience in the channel marketing industry, working with many complex channel incentive and trade promotion programs over a multitude of industries. Pankaj previously served on the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance policy board and the Openloop Technologies board. He currently sits on the board of Higher Learning Technologies, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), the Technology Commercialization Committee, the Ohnward Bank Advisory Board, and the ISA Ventures Advisory Board.
Congratulations on your success in Cedar Rapids! We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Channel Fusion.
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Keynote Speaker
This year's keynote speaker is Lisa Barton , President and CEO of Alliant Energy . Lisa joined Alliant in February 2023, following her role as Executive Vice President and COO of American Electric Power. With more than three decades in the energy industry, she has a wealth of experience in building communities. During her presentation, she will highlight both national and international energy industry trends, offering a comprehensive look at how these dynamics are creating growth opportunities in the Cedar Rapids metro. Lisa’s perspective will provide a roadmap for local businesses and leaders looking to capitalize on the evolving energy landscape.
Thank you to our Sponsors
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors for their support in making this event possible. Your partnership enables us to create meaningful experiences and opportunities for everyone involved, and we are truly appreciative of your commitment to our cause.
Presenting Sponsor: U.S. Bank
Supporting Sponsors: UFG Insurance , Rinderknecht Associates, Inc. , TrueNorth Companies, L.C.
Welcome, New Members