How the CIRAS-Ivy Partnership Impacts Iowa Companies

Interaction between attendees at the recent Ivy College of Business Sales Innovation Summit.
Interaction between attendees at the recent Ivy College of Business Sales Innovation Summit.

CIRAS routinely connects Iowa companies with technical and business capabilities at Iowa State University, including faculty, research laboratories, and students. One example is the highly collaborative relationship between CIRAS and Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business. Both focus on similar business interests, including business analytics, entrepreneurship, supply chain management, human resources, marketing, and international business.

“The strengths of the Ivy College of Business align perfectly with the services CIRAS offers to Iowa industry,” said David Spalding, the Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College of Business. “Working together, we are bringing exceptional learning, networking, and development opportunities to Iowa companies, as well as to our faculty and, most importantly, our students.”

“Our collaboration with the Ivy College of Business is also instrumental in retaining talented students within the state,” said Gayle Mastbergen, CIRAS marketing manager. “By involving students in conferences and projects, we highlight the opportunities available within Iowa companies and foster a connection that encourages them to build their careers in Iowa.”

As part of the partnership, CIRAS and the Ivy College of Business collaborate on a range of professional conferences on topics that are relevant to industry, faculty, and students. In May, more than 90 sales professionals, marketing faculty, and students gathered for the third annual Ivy College of Business Sales Innovation Summit, which focused on understanding individual and team strengths to unlock personal potential and maximize company sales performance.

Additionally, the 2024 Business Analytics Symposium drew nearly 450 people to the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines in April. Considered Iowa’s premier analytics event, the symposium brought together industry leaders and analytics professionals to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on business practices and the workforce.

Next, CIRAS will support the 2024 Voorhees Supply Chain Conference on October 10th at the Gateway Conference Center in Ames. Learn more about this event and others by visiting ciras.iastate. edu/events-workshops.

An exciting new offering for CIRAS clients is the Ivy College of Business Custom Education. The professional development program is designed to connect employees with the expertise and experience of the faculty through interactive sessions focusing on such topics as leadership, change management, innovation, data analytics, sales, supply chain management, and finance.

To learn about the program, visit ivybusiness.iastate.edu/customeducation.

“The Ivy College of Business is a dynamic business college, and thanks to our partnership, when they grow, so do the opportunities available to CIRAS clients,” said Mastbergen.

For more information, contact Gayle Mastbergen at gmallen@iastate.edu or 515-815-5042.