2025 was a year well-spent with our members and we're proud of what the industry has accomplished. We're taking a moment to recap some of what 2025 brought for the IGIA. Thank you for being a member and for supporting the IGIA!
STRENGTH IN MEMBERSHIP
In 2025, IGIA had a total of 20 new members join! Businesses across Iowa, the midwest, and the country join IGIA to connect with members and dive deeper into Iowa's grocery, convenience and food industry. IGIA continues to grow its diverse membership. Learn more about our new members by browsing through our New Member Spotlights.
EVENTS & NETWORKING
IGIA had more than 1,420 attendees across its main events in 2025. IGIA's two golf outings, three Women's Network sessions, four social events, a bagging contest at the State Fair, two-day Convention, and celebratory Hall of Fame Dinner kept members connected throughout the year.
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Every year, members say IGIA events are unrivaled opportunities for networking and advancing the industry.

IGIA events provide learning, professional development, networking, and opportunities to tap into and advance Iowa’s grocery industry. Members make the most of their investment by coming together with key industry leaders at IGIA events.
Member connections are at the heart of IGIA events.​
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LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION
In 2025, 26 individuals graduated from the IGIA Leadership Institute. Providing education and training, this program fosters the next generation of grocery, convenience, and food industry leaders. Since its inception in 2014, 244 individuals have completed this training. The current IGIA Board of Directors includes three IGIA Leadership graduates.

More information about the IGIA Leadership Institute
The IGIA Women’s Network held three sessions in 2025 where industry women engaged with speakers on AI and emerging technology, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and work-life balance.
​The group also participated in service projects or donation drives with Give Grace Give Hope and Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

The growth of the Women’s Network has had a direct impact on number of women in IGIA leadership compared to 10 years ago. The impact of more women involved and in leadership can be seen in the composition of IGIA's board of directors and across IGIA events like the Convention and Hall of Fame Dinner. 
ADVOCACY
In 2025, IGIA was at the state capitol advocating for the grocery industry on legislation relating to labor and employment, taxes, general business, grocery-specific issues, and more. 

IGIA monitored all 1,871 bills that were introduced during the session, with 30+ key industry-related bills on the weekly Bill Tracker. Key issues this session were direct shipment of liquor, swipe fees on sales tax, gift card fraud, and taxes.

In October and November, IGIA hosted six regional roundtables, bringing grocers and other IGIA members together with legislators from across the state. IGIA continues to activate grassroots and have important conversations with Iowa's lawmakers about key issues! Roundtables were held in Spencer, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, and Wellman.

Did you know? IGIA's End Of Session report and weekly session updates are a member benefit. Contact Audrey to receive these resources!
PEOPLE
In 2025, Joel Allen of Hy-Vee completed his term as IGIA Board Chairman, passing the gavel to Amy Thompson of PepsiCo for the 2025-26 term.

View the 2025-26 Board of Directors
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The 2025 Hall of Fame award winners were:
Supplier of the Year — Voss Distributing
Volunteer of the Year — Wesson Kingma, Fareway Stores, Inc.
Legislative Leadership — David Ring, Kwik Star
Lifetime Achievement — Donna Tweeten, Hy-Vee, Inc.
Retail Leader of the Year — Jill Eilderts, Hometown Foods
IGIA Team
In 2025, the IGIA team celebrated these milestones with the association:
  • ​Michelle Hurd, President — 19 years
  • Cara Corkrean, VP Membership & Operations — 16 years
  • Annie Lallier, Events & Member Programs Specialist — 7 years
  • Audrey Comer, Marketing & Communications Specialist — 5 years
  • Becky Puckett, Administrative Assistant — 4 years
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EDUCATION FOUNDATION
In 2025, the Iowa Grocers Education Foundation (IGEF) raised $76,500 through two major event fundraisers and reached a total of $3.56 million awarded since 2001. IGEF provides scholarships to youth with ties to the grocery industry.

IGEF awarded 142 scholarships totaling $266,000 in 2025 through the Mary I. Fitzgerald Scholarship Program and member Piggyback Scholarships.

IGIA members offered “Piggyback” scholarships, which allow these companies to offer their own scholarships using the IGEF’s application.
PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
The IGIA published quarterly issues of the iowa grocer, delivered directly to mailboxes and published online. The iowa grocer features association and industry news, member spotlights, and more while also providing visibility for members and advertisers.

Members also received the Escanner newsletter and up-to-date alerts about regulatory changes relating to their businesses.

Click the covers below to read the most recent issues.
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