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Hy-Vee expands supplier summit to boost opportunities for small businesses

Retailer to host in-person event for 80 selected entrepreneurs, offering a live pitch competition and direct access to category managers.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—Hy-Vee Inc. is deepening its investment in small businesses with the return and expansion of its Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit. This year's event will be held at the company’s corporate headquarters in West Des Moines from September 18 to 19.

Designed to connect small business owners and entrepreneurs directly with Hy-Vee decision-makers, the summit will provide selected suppliers with an in-person platform to showcase products, gain retail insights, and explore real-time business opportunities — including on-the-spot deals and exposure to Hy-Vee’s extensive Midwest customer base.

Hy-Vee is currently accepting applications from companies offering retail products across eight key categories: grocery, produce, deli, general merchandise, frozen, dairy, beauty, and health and wellness. Submissions must be received online by 11:59 p.m. PDT on July 14 at RangeMe.com. From all applicants, 80 businesses will be selected to attend the summit free of charge.

“At Hy-Vee, our focus is on supporting the communities that support our stores, which means elevating the businesses and entrepreneurs who call those communities home,” said Tina Potthoff, Hy-Vee’s senior vice president of communications. “We are elevating our commitment to entrepreneurs by offering capital, coaching and connections so these brands can grow and succeed.”

The two-day summit will feature one-on-one meetings between attending businesses and Hy-Vee’s category managers, providing direct access to retail and supply chain decision-makers. These sessions may lead to product approvals and new vendor relationships, as well as inclusion in Hy-Vee’s supplier expo for greater brand visibility.

A highlight of the event will be a live pitch competition on day one, open to early-stage businesses from across the U.S. Hy-Vee will select three companies to participate in the competition, which carries a $30,000 prize pool.

Attendees will also take part in industry-focused education sessions and a supplier resource roundtable, offering guidance on topics ranging from distribution and finance to food safety, merchandising, and marketing.

This year’s event builds on Hy-Vee’s long-standing commitment to nurturing small businesses and strengthening local supply chains. The retailer has previously helped bring several emerging brands onto store shelves through similar events and continues to prioritize community-rooted entrepreneurship as part of its broader business strategy.

Businesses selected to attend will be notified by July 29.

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