2026 Employee Ownership Annual Conference
The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) will host its 4th annual Employee Ownership Conference in 2026, bringing together a growing community committed to expanding employee ownership across Iowa. This conference is one of only a few in the country dedicated exclusively to employee ownership and is unique in its focus on connecting ESOPs, EOTs and worker cooperatives in a shared learning environment.
Participants include business owners considering employee ownership as a succession strategy, professionals who support employee-owned businesses before, during, and after transition, and individuals engaged in employee ownership from academic, policy, and community development perspectives. As interest in employee ownership continues to grow, the IA-CEO conference serves as a central gathering place to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen the employee ownership ecosystem throughout Iowa and beyond.
Join us on October 1st
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy
Ankeny, IA
We invite you to attend the IA-CEO 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
2026 Breakout Session Tracks
This year’s conference features four focused breakout tracks designed to meet you wherever you are on your employee ownership journey.
Explore the fundamentals of employee ownership, strategies for growth and scale, data-driven academic research, and ways to build a strong ownership culture. Walk away with practical ideas, useful tools, and connections that can help shape your organization’s future.
#1 Exploring Employee Ownership
Fundamentals and models
#2 Growth Strategies
Scaling and strengthening employee-owned companies
#3 Academic Research
Data-driven insights and outcomes
#4 Culture & Engagement
Building an ownership mindset
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.
Mr. Jerry Ripperger
Partner with Us
When you sponsor the IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference, you’re doing more than putting your logo on a program — you’re fueling opportunity across Iowa. Your support helps business owners discover succession solutions, keeps companies locally owned, strengthens communities, and expands access to education about employee ownership. Sponsors make it possible for more leaders, advisors, students, and employee-owners to gather, learn, and build a stronger ecosystem for shared success. You’re not just supporting an event — you’re helping grow a movement.
A look back at the energy, ideas, and connections from the 2025 IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference on October 23
IA-CEO
