Iowa State Bank | 2024 Annual Hut Sponsor
We’re excited to announce Iowa State Bank’s support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 as an Annual Hut Sponsor.
Iowa State Bank is proud to have called Des Moines home for over 80 years. They have five metro banking locations, along with Investment and Trust Departments providing strong wealth management services. Iowa State Bank has been committed to this community since opening their doors in 1941. Helping to support local organizations and giving their customers the best possible banking experience will always be their priority.
Des Moines Children’s Museum | #CDM2024 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Des Moines Children’s Museum as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Des Moines Children’s Museum and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Tent on Thursday and Friday. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $500 donation as part of our partnership.
The Des Moines Children’s Museum’s mission is to build the foundation of lifelong learning by promoting the power of play.
We Value: Play, Connections, Creativity & Curiosity, Innovation, Research, Impressive Persistence, Inclusivity.
Our vision is a playful museum, always striving to be better, helping families connect with each other, community resources, and the world.
Daughters of Penelope Zeus #38 | #CDM2024 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Daughters of Penelope Zeus #38 as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Daughters of Penelope Zeus #38 and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Tent on Thursday and Saturday. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $500 donation as part of our partnership.
The Mission of the Daughters of Penelope is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family and Individual Excellence.
The Daughters of Penelope uphold the traits of kindness, tolerance, truth, unselfishness, goodness, beauty, self-improvement, purity, loyalty, patience.
Edward Jones – Ryan Kent, CFP® | 2024 Hut Sponsor
Many thanks to Edward Jones – Ryan Kent, CFP®for his support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024. Learn more about Ryan:
I believe in treating our clients with honesty and empathy, which means being transparent about the costs and risks involved with investing. We are honored to partner with you, to explore your possibilities and to create financial strategies that can have a positive impact on your life. Working closely with your CPA, attorney and other professionals, I can help determine the most appropriate long-term financial strategy for you and your family. I am registered in over 30 states and can serve clients nationwide.
I joined Edward Jones in 2011 and became a financial advisor in 2015. Fort Dodge is where I was born and raised. I am incredibly proud to build my business in my hometown. I partnered with my father for the first five years until his retirement. The knowledge and care he provided had a significant impact on my work ethic and client relationships.
Lifelong learning is very important to me. I received my MBA at Iowa State. I’m proud to have earned my CFP®, ChFC®, CAP®, ABFP™, CLU®, and AAMS™ certifications to broaden my education and better serve those who partner with me. I was named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in Iowa* in 2023, as well as being named to the Forbes Next-Gen Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in both 2022 and 2023**. It has been an honor for my branch team to be recognized for our dedication to service.
My branch office administrators, Terri VanNostrand and Angela Barton, serve our clients with the utmost respect and integrity. I have been blessed with an excellent team. As a team, we strive to provide our clients with the highest level of service possible and help our clients to have every opportunity to achieve your financial goals.
My spouse, Sara, is a psychologist in private practice. She’s a fantastic chef, and we enjoy traveling and cooking together.
Please reach out to me if you would like to partner together. My team and I would be honored to serve you and your family.
*2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in Iowa, published April 2023, research by SHOOK Research LLC, data as of June 2022. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, the rating.
**Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State for Iowa in 2022 and 2023, published in August each year, research by SHOOK Research LLC, data as of March of the same year. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, the rating.
Siegwerk USA | 2024 Weihnachtswald Sponsor
We’re pleased to announce Siegwerk USA as the Weihnachtswald Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024.
Siegwerk was founded in Siegburg, Germany in 1830 as a retailer of manufactured goods. The company capitalized on its expertise in printing obtained from the “Kattunfabrik”, a fabric print shop, and progressed to become one of the top international manufacturers of printing inks and coatings. Globally, Siegwerk employs over 5,000 people in 30 countries.
Siegwerk plays an important role in packaging, as we use color to bring products to life for our customers. Every day people come across Siegwerk inks no matter where they are, including walking down the grocery aisle where there are many offerings of examples including confectionery packaging, beverage bottles or food pouches.
Des Moines is the home of Siegwerk’s U.S. headquarters and is proud to sponsor this event, as having strong roots from Germany, and currently celebrating 200 years in business. We love seeing the European culture come to life in our city.
2024 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Nonprofit Partnership Program (NPP)
Are you looking for a fundraiser for your non-profit? Join us as one of our nonprofit partners at Christkindlmarket Des Moines this year!
Partnership Opportunities
Beverages (4 Points of Sale Available): Sell Glühwein and Kinderpunsch
PRE‐FESTIVAL
- Create all volunteer schedules and shifts including at least fifteen (15) minutes before the shift begins. Shifts can be as long or as short as you like.
- Fully staff all hours selected with 4 individuals.
- Provide overall main contact and all shift leaders cell numbers to CDM Leadership.
DURING FESTIVAL
- Sell product. Nonprofit may sell only products provided by the Festival.
- General clean-up of space, unboxing product, preparing product to be sold.
- Removal of trash and debris to appropriate areas.
- Cash management and the taking of electronic payments via POS system (provided).
CDM Management will:
- Set up tables and Point of Sale.
- Manage stock levels.
- Organize product for the next day.
- Manage cash and provide change.
THE PARTNERSHIP
Nonprofit partners can choose the following partnership levels and receive the associated donation from the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC), the non-profit that produce CDM:
Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6, 2024 | $500 donation
Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 2024 | $500 donation
Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 8, 2024 | $1000 donation
Nonprofit partners will be provided with:
- A hyperlinked listing on our website as a nonprofit partner with the date, times and location of your volunteering
- Social media promotion of our partnership
- Individual blog post announcing/publicizing our partnership
While volunteering the nonprofit may place their tip jar next to the CDM tip jar for cash tips/donations. The nonprofit’s tip jar must be clearly labeled with the name of their nonprofit. 100% of the cash tips in the nonprofit’s tip jar revert back to the nonprofit. Talking about your nonprofit is acceptable; the solicitation of tips is not. The use of a digital/cashless tip jar is acceptable.
Anyone handling alcohol will need to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. After successfully passing the final test, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. The test takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://abd.iowa.gov/education/i-pact.
Please direct questions and interest in our nonprofit partnership program to Suzanne Hull, [email protected] or 515-250-6366
Duke Rentals | 2024 Platinum Sponsor
We’re pleased to have Duke Rentals as a member of our team as a Platinum Sponsor.
Headquartered in Southwest Iowa, Duke Rentals is locally owned and operated, supplying the Midwest with an extensive fleet of over 9000 machines. Since modest beginnings in 2000, we continually strive to offer the best equipment, at the lowest cost, with the best customer service. Exceeding customer expectations is our goal by constantly improving quality and communications.
We provide industry-leading customer satisfaction through rentals and sales of scissor lifts, boom lifts, telehandlers, industrial forklifts, light and general dirt equipment, and most recently, the WolfLift. By offering a wide range of equipment through 14 convenient locations, we’re able to provide our services to customers in multiple industries, including construction, industrial, and entertainment to name a few. Whether you’re a contractor, a homeowner, or anything in between, we’ve got the equipment you need to get the job done quickly and safely.
2024 Call For Vendors
Iowa European Cultural Connection invites you to become a vendor at the 9th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 5 – 8, 2024 at Principal Park.
The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard of the vendor products it offers.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is dedicated to immersing visitors in a world of folklore and craftsmanship as well as enticing them with traditional, seasonal culinary specialties to provide a family-friendly experience filled with European elegance and charm.
Our vendor guide will give you an overview of the application process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the application, it will be reviewed internally.
2024 Vendor Guide
2024 Vendor Application
2024 Electricity Request Form
We are interested in products typically offered at Christkindlmarkets throughout the world, which may include (but are not limited to): decorative fresh wreaths and centerpieces; one-of-a-kind handmade items; holiday ornaments of all colors, materials and sizes; nutcrackers; cuckoo clocks; beer steins; wooden toys; jewelry; wood carvings; pre-packaged European sweets and treats; sausages; sauerkraut; potato pancakes; waffles; crepes; stollen; gingerbread; roasted nuts; cakes and pastries; German smokers; candles; wooden nativity scenes; items made from hand-blown glass; clay and ceramic pottery; tea light holders; Eastern European/Slavic handcrafted gifts, such as nesting dolls and papier-mâché lacquer boxes; lace; leather products; beer and wine glasses; handwoven garments and more.
Vendor Testimonials
As a nonprofit, Christkindlmarket Des Moines is an essential event for our business year after year. We enjoy working their seasoned team of administrators in putting on an authentic, enjoyable market that has continued to grow and grow beyond our expectations. We enjoy being a part of this wonderful festival and look forward to the next one every year.
Danish Windmill
We have been involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines since 2019 and it has exceeded our wildest expectations. Iowa has always been a strong market for us, but this was amazing. It was as the Dane’s say a Hygge time: (pronounced hoo·guh) (Hygge is about preserving happiness everyday. It is slowing down, being humble, expressing gratitude, feeling safe and connecting with loved ones.) Who wouldn’t want to spend a day with friends and Family at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. The organization of the event is well planned and the volunteers are helpful. The entertainment gets your toes tapping and the variety of vendors gives everyone an opportunity to find something unique.
The Kringle Man
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is by far my favorite market to vend at. It is a continuous celebration with live music, parades and Gluehwein. So it is a destination instead of just a market. The attendance and sales are phenomenal.
Pam Hyde Pottery
Our experience from start to finish was exceptional. As a first time vendor we were nervous but, all the information and mentoring provided by Christkindlmarket Des Moines prepared us for success. We highly recommend this event for vendors and attendees.
Rusty Stars Alpacas
Wild Cherry Spoon Co has vended across the Midwest. From popular indie craft markets in Chicago to small first time shows. Christkindlmarket Des Moines blew them all away in terms of revenue, participation, crowd size, after show sales, interesting things to see and do at the market, and volunteer support. We would love to be able to attend every subsequent market and word of advice to vendors; plan for your wildest sales expectations and then bring 4x the inventory…it sells out fast!
Tim McGuire, Wild Cherry Spoon
I was especially impressed with the advertising for Christkindlmarket Des Moines—I think the organizers did a great job of getting the word out through many different avenues. The parking for unloading was easy to get to and convenient to the booth location. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. The booths made for a great ambience, and we loved the signs! My one reservation about the event was being outside because I am not at all a fan of cold weather, but the heaters in the booths made it comfortable enough, and the crowds were terrific all weekend.
Pickle Creek Herbs
2024 Call for Performers
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) invites you to become a performer at the 9th annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 5 – December 8, 2024 at Principal Park.
Days/Times
Dec 5: 5pm – 9pm
Dec 6: 11am – 9pm
Dec 7: 11am – 9pm
Dec 8: 11am – 5pm
Yuletide Hall After Hours: Friday & Saturday from 9pm – 10pm
The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard of programming. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is dedicated to immersing visitors in a world of folklore and craftsmanship as well as enticing them with traditional, seasonal culinary specialties to provide an experience filled with European elegance and charm. See Google Images of Christmas markets around the world.
Yuletide Hall is a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by the CDM event planning committee at Principal Park’s Main Lot. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided. The size of the stage in 2023 was 16x32x32″ tall.
Our performer guide will give you an overview of the needs assessment process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the needs assessment, it will be reviewed internally.
What is the timeline for the process?
- Fill out the online needs assessment below by March 1, 2024
- REQUIRED: Send additional photographs and links to audio files/videos representing you or your group to [email protected]
- Receive feedback from CDM staff by March 15, 2024
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 Performer Information Guide
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 Performer Needs Assessment
Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant Recipient – 2024
The organizers of Christkindlmarket Des Moines are pleased to announce the receipt of a Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant. These funds will be used to support the operational expenses of the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize the impact of arts, culture and heritage to advance regional priorities. Since 2006, Bravo has awarded more than 1,200 grants to 100+ arts, culture and heritage organizations and programs, with total funding exceeding $55 million. Bravo is almost entirely funded through Hotel/Motel taxes.
