Iowa Institute for Cooperatives

2024 Summer Management Workshop
2024-06-25 08:30 - 16:00 UTC | Fareway Conference Center at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites, Boone, IA, 1900 Lakewood Dr, Boone, IA, 50010, United States
We will be hosting our Summer Management Workshop on Tuesday, June 25th at the Fareway Conference Center in Boone. At this workshop we host a variety of speakers who address issues and trends of current importance to assist the decision makers at your cooperative. Please click here for the full agenda and a fillable registration form.

2024 Technology Workshop
2024-08-20 10:00 - 16:00
The Iowa Institute for Cooperatives and ACS are hosting a technology workshop on Artificial Intelligence. This interactive workshop will look at Microsoft’s AI platform, Copilot, and how it can be used to revolutionize the agricultural field. This workshop is open to all members of the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives and is crafted to suit all position types, including beyond IT professionals.

The full agenda and registration is available here.

2024 Cooperative Accounting Workshop
2024-11-13 13:00 - 2024-11-14 12:00 | Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, IA, 50014
The 2024 Cooperative Accounting Workshop will be held November 13-14 at the Gateway Hotel in Ames. The full agenda is outlined in the attached agenda. This conference is open to our member cooperatives and covers a range of timely topics over a two day period.
To register online, please click here. To access the room block, please click here.

2024 Human Resources Conference
2024-11-19 13:00 - 2024-11-20 12:00 | Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, IA, 50014
Join us for the Human Resources Conference on November 19 and 20 at the Gateway Hotel in Ames. This engaging 2-day seminar includes a variety of hot topics, a panel discussion and a table topics session amongst HR peers. Our full agenda is linked here and includes information on how to register and how to take advantage of our hotel room block, which is only available for booking through October 29. Registration to attend the conference is due by November 15.

2024 Annual Meeting
2024-11-26 | Sheman Building at ISU, 1805 Center Dr., Ames, Iowa, 50011, United States
Join us for the 2024 Annual Meeting at the Scheman Building in Ames, IA on Nov. 26, 2024. This year, we welcome Mike Lombardi as the key note speaker. Mike Lombardi is a top leadership keynote speaker and football analyst. Our agenda also includes sessions from industry experts on timely topics, an induction of the 2024 Hall of Fame recipients, and a chance to meet the incoming executive director to the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, Dr. Bobby Martens.
To view the full program, please click here. To register online please click here, or complete the registration pdf located in the full program.

2025 Legislative Welcome Back Reception
2025-01-14 15:30 - 17:30 | Embassy Suites, 101 E Locust Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
You are invited to attend our legislative Welcome Back Reception on January 14, 2025 at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines!
For more information and how to RSVP, click this link.

2025 Director's Certification Program (DCP)
2025-01-27 10:00 - 2025-01-28 14:30 | Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, IA, 50014
Join us for the 2025 Director’s Certification Program January 27-28 in Ames, IA.
Our DCP program has been reformatted into a two day workshop that serves as a foundational course. This will serve as a pre-requisite to our newly developed Advanced Directors Program, with more details available on our website.
For full event and registration details click here.

Advanced Directors Program
2025-03-10 09:30 - 2025-03-11 15:30 | Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, IA, 50014
Announcing our new Advanced Directors Program!
ADP will be held in Ames from March 10-11 and has a limited number of seats available. Our registration deadline is March 4, or until meeting capacity has been reached.
For more information and to register, please read our announcement flyer here.

Intern Co-op Day
2025-05-27 08:30 - 15:30 | Fareway Conference Center at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites, Boone, IA, 1900 Lakewood Dr, Boone, IA, 50010, United States
Join us for Intern Co-op Day on May 27, 2025! To view the full agenda, click here.
Registration can be submitted here.

2025 NextGen Managers Program
2025-07-28
We’re excited to introduce a new program called the NextGen Managers Program. This cohort program is designed to develop the next generation of leaders within cooperatives. Aimed at mid-level management, it focuses on strategic thinking, communication, and problem-solving through interactive workshops and real-world applications.
Click here for more information on the program, including lodging and registration information.
This series is delivered over 4 sessions: July 28-29, 2025; January 5, 2026; February 3, 2026; March 2-3, 2026
Registration is due July 11, 2025. With only a small number of spots available and a maximum of three participants per cooperative, we encourage you to register as soon as possible to ensure your team’s place.

2025 IT Innovation Summit
2025-08-04 11:30 - 2025-08-05 12:30 | Des Moines
Register today and take advantage of our early bird registration through July 4! This year’s session will include topics on cyber emergency response planning/recovery, AI ethics, on-site vs cloud storage, and more. There will also be lots of opportunities for networking and hearing from panel experts. The full agenda is available here.
Click here to register.

2025 Copilot Virtual Workshop
2025-09-03 09:00 - 10:00 | Microsoft Teams
Join us for the 2025 Copilot Workshop, held virtually over Teams every Wednesday in September (3, 10, 17, 24) from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. This immersive program is designed to introduce participants to the capabilities of Copilot, Microsoft’s integrated AI tool.
You can find more information on the program, including how to register at this link.

2025 Human Resources Conference
2025-11-04 - 2025-11-05 | Digital Ag Innovation Lab, 3800 University Blvd, Ames, IA, 50010
The 2025 Human Resources Conference has been announced! Join us November 4-5 at the Ag Innovation Lab (in the ISU Research Park) in Ames, IA for two days of co-operative focused Human Resources education and networking.
Click this link for more information on the agenda.
Registration is now closed. Please call our office to check availability.

2025 Annual Meeting
2025-11-25 | FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, IA, 50023
Date:
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Location:
The 2025 Annual Meeting will be in a new location this year! Please join us in Ankeny, IA at the FFA Enrichment Center.
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy
Ankeny, IA 50023

Join us!
Join us for a day of connection, learning, and shared purpose. The meeting features member-focused discussions, presentations on common challenges, and opportunities to engage with cooperative peers. Our keynote speaker, Jeff Lanza, is a former FBI Special Agent with a background in investigating organized crime. He is an author, has appeared in a Netflix documentary and has delivered lectures at Princeton and Harvard Universities. His keynote will focus on business ethics where he’ll share strategies to help leaders recognize early warning signs, foster a culture of accountability, and lead with long-term ethical vision.
Agenda:
Click here for the program flyer.
Registration:
Registration is now closed.

Director Certification Program (DCP) 2026
2026-01-15 - 2026-01-16
Date:
January 15-16, 2026
Location:
Digital Ag Innovation Center
3700 University Blvd.
Ames, IA

Join us!
The Director Certification Program (DCP) is a two-day training for cooperative board directors, focusing on cooperative foundations, governance, strategic direction, and financial acumen, with sessions led by experts from the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives and partners. Completion of DCP is required before attending the Advanced Director Program.
Agenda:
Click here for the program flyer.
Registration:
Registration is $350 per person.
Registration is needed by January 7. A check must be mailed in separately to the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, 2515 University Blvd Ste 104, Ames IA 500105
Click here to register.

Policy and Advocacy Summit
2026-01-26 - 2026-01-27
Date:
January 26-27, 2026
Location:
Embassy Suites
101 E Locust St
Des Moines, IA

Join us!
Join us to explore key issues like property taxes and crop protection, engage with lobbyists and legislators, and learn how advocacy shapes policy. Network with peers and gain hands-on experience to amplify the voice of cooperatives and drive meaningful legislative change. This session is designed for general managers, board members, legislative committee members, grassroots contacts, and those interested in cooperative policy.
Agenda:
Here is the link to the latest meeting information.
Registration:
Registration is now closed.
Payment:
Cost is $235/person
Please remit checks to :
Iowa Institute for Cooperatives
2515 University Blvd Ste 104
Ames IA, 50010

Advanced Directors Program (ADP) 2026
2026-02-26 - 2026-02-27 | Digital Ag Innovation Lab, 3800 University Blvd, Ames, IA, 50010
Event Date:
February 26-27, 2026
Location:
Digital Ag Innovation Center
3700 University Blvd.
Ames, IA

Join us!
The Advanced Directors Program (ADP) is a two-day workshop for directors to strengthen boardroom leadership and cooperative management skills through expert-led sessions. Completion of the Director Certification Program (DCP) is required before attending the Advanced Directors Program.
Agenda:
Click here for the full agenda.
Registration:
Registration is now closed.
Lodging:
A block of rooms is available for booking at the Courtyard by Marriott Ames through January 26, after which, attendees can still reserve rooms at the hotel, but availability will be first‑come, first‑served. Dinner on the first night will be held at Dublin Bay, which is within walking distance of the hotel. Please see the agenda for more details including a booking link.

2026 Co-op Intern Day
2026-06-02 09:00 - 15:30 | Fareway Conference Center at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites, Boone, IA, 1900 Lakewood Dr, Boone, IA, 50010, United States
Date:
June 2, 2026
Location:
Fareway Conference Center at the Cobblestone Inn & Suites
1900 Lakewood Drive
Boone, IA

Join Us!
Co-op Intern Day brings interns together for a one‑day experience focused on understanding how cooperatives work, building professional skills, and connecting with others across Iowa’s cooperative community.
Agenda:
Click here for the program flyer.
Registration:
The registration fee is $175 per intern for groups of one to four. The fee is reduced to $150 per intern for groups of five or more from the same co-op.
Registration is required by May 22. A check must be mailed in separately to the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, 2515 University Blvd Ste 104, Ames IA 500105
Click here to register online.

NextGen 2026-2027
2026-07-27 | Crossroads Pavillion Center, 301 34th Ave, Sheldon, IA, 51201, United States
Program Dates:
NextGen is a one program cohort, delivered in 3 Sessions
Session 1: July 27-28, 2026
Session 2: December 9-10, 2026
Session 4: March 1-2, 2027
Location:
The 2026–27 NextGen program is headed to Northwest Iowa. Join us in Sheldon for a leadership development experience tailored for emerging talent.
Crossroads Pavilion – Event Center
301 34th Avenue
Sheldon, Iowa 51201

Join us!
The NextGen Managers Program is designed to develop future leaders within cooperatives by providing hands-on experience in strategic thinking, communication, and advanced problem-solving through interactive workshops and collaborative projects. The program emphasizes ethical leadership, innovation, and collaboration, aiming to strengthen both individual capabilities and the cooperative’s foundation for future challenges.
Agenda:
Click here to view the latest agenda.
Registration:
Registration is now open! Register by May 31 to receive the early rate of $3,250 per person. After May 31, the standard rate of $3,500 applies, with registration closing June 30, 2026.
A check must be mailed in separately prior to the program start. Please remit payment to the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, 2515 University Blvd Ste 104, Ames IA 500105
Click here to register online.
