Event Highlights

Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry executives, local and national category representatives, buyers, owners, operators, and professionals from across Iowa's grocery, convenience and food industry.

Industry and Motivational Speakers: Gain insights and inspiration from industry experts and motivational speakers who will share their knowledge, experiences, and strategies for success. ​

Additional Activities: Participate in the Convention Golf Tournament or an outing of Lunch + Museum Tours in Coralville during the afternoon of Day 2. Join the Women’s Network before the official start of the Convention on Day 1 for a social hour to dive into professional connections with other industry women. 

Tentative Agenda

Tentative Agenda coming soon! Contact Annie Lallier [email protected] with any questions.

Additional Programming at Convention

Select these options per attendee in the online registration form. 
IGIA Women's Network Social Hour
Monday, Sept. 21 (Convention Day 1)
3-4 PM
Hyatt Regency Hotel & Conference Center
​Member Cost: $50
​Convention Golf Tournament @ Brown Deer
Tuesday, Sept. 22 (Convention Day 2)
12 - 5 PM
Brown Deer Golf Club, 1900 Country Club Dr, Coralville, IA 52241
​Member Cost: $179
Lunch + Museum Tours
​Midday option for non-golfers!
Tuesday, Sept. 22 (Convention Day 2)
12 - 3:30 PM
​Member Cost: $90

12 PM: Travel to lunch
12:15 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM: Tour of Antique Car Mueseum of Iowa
2:30 PM: Tour of Johnson County Historical Society Museum
3:30 PM: Return to Hyatt Regency

Convention Speakers

Greg Bennick — "Build a Better Now" 
This is a keynote that asks us to take a look at why we get distracted, and the forces at work to ensure that we do. When we focus on the team around us, we do our teammates the best possible favor. By focusing on the team and reminding people that the work they do matters, we empower individuals and strengthen the group as a result. 

For the last three decades Greg has traveled the world studying what people want most. He's come to know that people need to matter and to feel that they are part of something meaningful. 

When we have a shared sense of purpose and meaning from what we do, and when we know that our work matters, it is like high octane fuel for teamwork. 
Kenyon Murray — "Legacy Leadership"
Learn how to lead with a long-term vision that shapes not just today’s results but tomorrow’s impact. Kenyon helps leaders and teams cultivate a legacy mindset—one grounded in purpose, values, and intentional influence. Through his stories from athletics, coaching, and life, participants will discover what it means to build something that endures.
Key Takeaways:
  • Lead with clarity of purpose and long-term perspective
  • Identify core values that sustain leadership through change
  • Build a culture that multiplies influence and outlasts challenges
Governor Thomas Vilsack
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, became the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this role, Governor Vilsack focuses on expanding the Foundation’s global network and further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service. 
Governor Vilsack was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An orphan, he was adopted in 1951 by Bud and Dolly Vilsack. In 1972, he received a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. In 1975, he earned a law degree from Albany Law School.
Although a Pittsburgh native, Governor Vilsack has had a deep connection with Iowa for decades. 
He and his wife Christie, an Iowa native, were married in 1973. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. Shortly after marriage, they settled in Christie’s hometown of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. 
In 1998, he became the first Democrat to be elected as the Governor of Iowa in more than 30 years. During his two terms as Governor, he created an $800 million, 10-year economic development incentive program—the Iowa Values Fund. His administration worked with schools, medical providers, businesses, faith-based organizations and other entities to expand healthcare coverage to more than 90,000 previously uninsured children. 
Under his leadership, first as a senator and then as governor, he collaborated with the legislature to develop Vision Iowa, a program that resulted in a $3 billion investment in cultural, educational and recreational facilities across the state. He worked to build a sustainable energy infrastructure, proving Iowa could fuel the nation, as well as feed it. 
He became the 30th and 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture, from 2008-2017 and 2021-2025, respectively. Only five people in U.S. history have served in the Cabinet longer, and during his tenures, the United States Department of Agriculture set records for U.S. agricultural exports and provided food assistance to millions of Americans. He helped expand food and nutrition access through summer feeding programs for children and additional support for fruit and vegetable purchases through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. As Secretary, he worked to develop new and superior markets for small and mid-sized farms, allowing those operations to remain viable, and in turn, strengthening and growing rural communities.
Governor Vilsack has long been connected to the Foundation, having served on both the Council of Advisors and the Board of Directors. His insights and acumen were vital in shaping the Foundation's mission and initiatives. His leadership and experience are instrumental in expanding the Foundation’s international reach and continuing the mission of elevating innovations and inspiring action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity and availability of food for all.

Book your stay for the 2026 Convention in Coralville!

Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel and Conference Center

Convention Attire

​The convention dress code is business casual or resort casual, so feel free to be comfortable in khaki pants, slacks, short-sleeved polo shirts and long-sleeved shirts (no ties or jackets needed).
We recommend dressing in layers or bringing along a light sweater as temperatures will vary in meeting rooms. We also suggest you wear your golf attire to Tuesday morning’s activities, so it’s an easy transition to the afternoon Convention Golf Tournament.

THANK YOU to our 2026 Convention Sponsors!

Bimbo Bakeries USA, Capital City Fruit, CentiMark, Coca-Cola, Cylinder Express, Dean Snyder Construction, Fareway Stores, Frito-Lay, Frontier Co-op, Gallo, Hiland Dairy, Hy-Vee, Iowa Lottery, Jewell Market, Keurig Dr Pepper, Mueller Yurgae Associates, Old Dutch Foods, Pepsi Beverages Company, Revol Greens, Rose Acre Farms, Sazerac, Truno, and Voss Distributing/Red Bull

Become a Convention Sponsor

​Convention sponsorships are a great way to shine a light on your company, products and services. Receive extra visibility and exposure to all the right industry leaders for a small investment that could bring many big returns.

​All Convention Sponsorships Receive the Following:
    • Sponsor Recognition with Company Logo on IGIA Convention Webpage
    • Sponsor Recognition with Company Logo on All Convention Marketing/Communication Materials
    • Sponsor Recognition with Company Logo in Convention Booklet
    • Sponsor Recognition with Company Logo on Convention Signage
    • Sponsor Acknowledgement during Convention Announcements

Contact Annie Lallier with questions about opportunities.
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