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Employee Ownership Annual Conference 2026

The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership hosts its 4th annual conference bringing together business leaders, employee owners, service providers, researchers, students, and advocates to explore employee ownership models and transitions.

FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny, IA

Dates
October 1, 2026, 8:00am - 4:00pm
Venue
FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny, IA

TL;DR

  • Employee Ownership Annual Conference 2026 convenes on October 1st at FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa.
  • The event gathers business owners, employee-owned companies, advisors, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to examine ownership models and transitions.
  • Four breakout tracks cover ownership transition, growth strategies, academic research, and culture and engagement.

About

The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) hosts the 4th annual Employee Ownership Conference to advance employee ownership as a vehicle for business succession and economic resilience. Sessions focus on ownership transition, employee engagement and culture, financing growth through employee ownership, academic research, macroeconomic trends, and leadership development.

Who you'll find in the room

Business Owners

Owners considering succession planning or ownership transition

Employee-Owned Companies

Companies at any stage of their ownership journey

Professional Advisors

Service providers and consultants supporting business transition

Academics

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

Policymakers

Leaders of philanthropic foundations focused on business sustainability and economic resilience

Featured speakers

2 listed

Chris Cournoyer

Lieutenant Governor of Iowa · State of Iowa

Celina Peerman

Organizational Psychologist

Partners on record

3 listed
Deb GiarussoIndividualMary PechIndividualJerry RippergerIndividual

Venue & travel

Venue

FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, IA

Getting there

Nearby accommodation available at Tru by Hilton, Ankeny, located at 1230 SW District Drive.

Questions people ask

7 answered

The conference runs on Thursday, October 1st, 2026, from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

The conference takes place at FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, Iowa.

Attendees include business owners considering succession, employee-owned companies, professional advisors, researchers and academics, and policymakers focused on business sustainability and economic resilience.

Attendees gain practical insights about ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and other employee ownership models from experts and companies experienced in employee ownership.

The conference features four focused breakout tracks: Exploring Employee Ownership, Growth Strategies, Academic Research, and Culture and Engagement.

Employee ownership conferences connect stakeholders across business ownership models and provide practical strategies for succession planning, employee engagement, and sustainable growth.

Business-casual attire is typical for professional conferences focused on ownership and leadership, though the organizer does not publish a specific dress code.

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