Des Moines, Iowa, has emerged as a vibrant hotbed for startups, entrepreneurs and technologists, and our community continues to rapidly evolve. We’ve built this page as a resource for those of you who are interested in becoming more involved in the Des Moines technology community.

Recurring events to check out:

Photo via joehobot on flickr

Central Iowa Bloggers

On the first Friday of every month, metro area bloggers, podcasters and content-creators gather over coffee and bagels at Panera Bread on University Ave in West Des Moines (and pretty much take the place over).

Topics of conversation range from technology to social media to business and communications.

• Visit the Central Iowa Bloggers website: http://centraliowabloggers.com
• Follow the Twitter hashtag: #CIB

Photo via cre8tivefriends on flickr

Des Moines Tweetups

Calling the Des Moines Tweetup movement “unorganized” would be an understatement. Basically, anyone can call for a Tweetup on short notice (at a bar, restaurant, or some public venue) and crowds of 100+ people have been known to show up. At Tweetups you’ll meet a mix of entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, new media professionals, geeks and technologists. These events can literally pop up overnight, so keep your eyes and ears open!

• Follow the Twitter hashtag: #dmtweetup

Social Media Breakfast Des Moines

The Social Media Breakfast movement was founded by Bryan Person in 2007 and has since caught fire all across North America (and even into Singapore). SMBs are very education-focused and will typically take the form of panel discussions, speakers and breakout sessions, with ample time for networking before and after the event.

• Visit the SMB Des Moines website: http://smbdesmoines.ning.com
• Follow the Twitter hashtag: #SMBDM

TechBrew Iowa

TechBrew Iowa

As described by the Technology Association of Iowa, TechBrew is “an informal gathering of entrepreneurs, technologists, business people and funders getting together to talk over a beer (social lubrication).” TechBrew events tend to attract angel investors and tech industry folks who have been in business for a while, bridging the gap between emerging and established.

• Visit the TAI calendar: http://www.technologyiowa.org/en/calendar
• Follow the Twitter hashtag: #TechBrew

Groups, organizations & information sources you should know about:

Silicon Prairie News

Silicon Prairie News started out as a digital news publication focused on Omaha’s creative class, and recently they’ve expanded their coverage into Des Moines. Check out the site for news, updates and interviews about entrepreneurs, events and startups here in the region.

• Browse SPN Des Moines: http://www.siliconprairienews.com/?edition=des-moines
• Connect with SPN on Twitter: @SiliconPrairie

Social Media Club Des Moines

Social Media Club is a community for social media professionals in the Des Moines area, devoted to raising awareness of social technology and sharing best practices. SMC chapters exist all across the world; for more information about the broader network, please visit SocialMediaClub.org.

• Visit the SMCDSM website: http://www.socialmediaclubdesmoines.org
• Follow the Twitter hashtag: #SMCDSM

Technology Association of Iowa

The TAI is a membership-based professional organization focused on growing Iowa’s technology industry and tech-based economy.

• Visit the TAI website: http://www.technologyiowa.org
• Follow the TAI on Twitter: @TechnologyIowa