The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has opened registration for the sixth annual Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, presented by Chase Bank. The 2026 event will feature Coach Ken Carter and Reggie Love as the keynote speakers. Carter is a businessman, author and high school basketball coach best known as the real-life inspiration behind the film “Coach Carter,” starring Samuel L. Jackson. Today, Carter continues to motivate others through his foundation and the Coach Carter Impact Academy, empowering youth to reach their full academic and personal potential. Love is a former personal aide to President Barack Obama. Today, Love is a senior adviser at Apollo Global Management. “We are proud to support the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit,” said Kristi Kaye Burma, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Athene, in a prepared statement. “It is exciting to welcome accomplished leaders like Coach Carter and Reggie Love as keynote speakers. I am sure their stories will inspire everyone in the room.” Marcia Treichel, community manager for Chase in Iowa said: “Events like this offer business leaders – from seasoned professionals to entrepreneurs and small businesses – the power of collaboration, education, and leadership – values that are at the heart of our work in West Des Moines and beyond.” The Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit will be held Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15 at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. This two-day experience is designed to inspire, educate and empower professionals through dynamic keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions and networking opportunities. Attendees who register between Dec. 1 and Feb. 1 will receive 15% off general admission tickets — valid for both full-event and single-day passes. The award-winning event will feature a pitch competition, where contestants have collectively earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash prizes over the past five years. The summit will also include expert speakers and panelists addressing a wide range of industry topics, presentation of the Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a bus excursion presented by Wells Fargo, featuring Black & Bold Specialty Beverages with two additional locations to be announced, among other highlights. For more information about the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, please visit bbbsummit.com.
