2026 Employee Ownership Annual Conference

As more businesses face ownership transition, employee ownership offers a proven path forward. The IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference brings together experts and company leaders to share strategies, lessons learned, and opportunities for building resilient, employee-owned businesses.

Save the Date!

October 1, 2026

8:00 am to 4:00 pm
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy
Ankeny, IA

More information coming soon!

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Join us for the IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference!

WHY Attend?

Learn practical, real-world insights from experts and companies experienced in employee ownership

Explore proven strategies for business growth, succession planning, and long-term stability

Gain a deeper understanding of ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and other employee ownership models

Hear directly from employee owners about what ownership looks like in practice

Access research and data that demonstrate the economic and workforce impacts of employee ownership

Build connections with peers, advisors, and practitioners from across Iowa and beyond

Leave with actionable ideas you can apply immediately in your organization

WHO Should Attend?

Business owners considering succession planning or ownership transition

Employee-owned companies at any stage of their ownership journey

New and future employee owners seeking to better understand their role and impact

Professional advisors, service providers, and consultants supporting business transitions

Economic development professionals and community leaders

Faculty, researchers, and students interested in employee ownership and workforce development

Policymakers and nonprofit leaders focused on business sustainability and economic resilience

IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference - October 1, 2026

This year’s conference breakout sessions are organized into four focused tracks, designed to meet you wherever you are on your employee ownership journey.

Employee ownership is transforming how businesses grow, perform, and plan for the future—and this is your chance to be part of that momentum. The IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference brings together the insights, experts, and inspiration to show what’s possible for you and your organization.

Learn the fundamentals in Exploring Employee Ownership. Discover ways to strengthen and scale your company in Growth Strategies. Gain data-driven insights in Academic Research. And, learn how to build a thriving ownership mindset in Culture and Engagement.

Join us and experience the ideas, tools, and connections that can shape the future of your business.

#1 Exploring Employee Ownership

Designed for business owners, advisors, and community members interested in learning the fundamentals of employee ownership. Sessions in this track will explore the different models—ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and employee ownership trusts—and outline the process of transitioning a company.

#2 Growth Strategies

This track focuses on helping employee-owned companies strengthen and expand their businesses. Topics will include acquisitions, ESOP holding companies, accessing capital, scaling operations, strategic planning, and leadership development.

#3 Academic Research

This track features research that deepens understanding of what makes employee ownership successful. Presentations will highlight academic studies, data-driven analyses, and real-world evidence that reveal how employee ownership influences business performance, workforce outcomes, and community vitality.

#4 Culture & Engagement

Centered on the human side of employee ownership, this track explores how companies can build an ownership mindset and strengthen engagement among employee-owners.

Partner with Us: Become a Sponsor of the 2026 IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference

Join us on October 1, 2026, as we bring together business owners, professional advisors and employee-owners across Iowa to explore pathways to employee ownership and build a stronger, more inclusive economy. As a sponsor, your organization will:

Elevate your brand among leaders engaged in business succession, ESOPs and employee ownership models.
Connect directly with decision-makers ready to implement meaningful change and engagement in their companies.
Support the growth of employee-ownership across Iowa — helping together to preserve businesses, empower employees and strengthen communities.

We offer multiple sponsorship levels with benefits ranging from prominent logo placement with speaking opportunities to secondary logo recognition. Ready to make an impact? Simply scan the QR code or follow the link to review the sponsorship options and sign up today.

Thank you for your commitment to the future of employee ownership — we can’t wait to partner with you in making the 2026 conference our most impactful yet.

Become a Sponsor of the 2026 Conference

Thank You to our 2026 Conference Sponsors!

A sincere thank-you to our generous sponsors of the IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference. Your commitment to advancing employee ownership is making a real impact on businesses and communities across Iowa.