Hy-Vee is calling for applications for its annual Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit, scheduled for Sept. 9‑10 at the retailer’s corporate headquarters in West Des Moines, Iowa.
The event connects small businesses and entrepreneurs with Hy‑Vee category managers and offers a chance to pitch products directly to decision‑makers.
Hy‑Vee will select 80 small businesses from all applicants to attend the two‑day summit. To be eligible, entrants must offer retail products in grocery, produce, deli, general merchandise, frozen, dairy, beauty or health and wellness. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. PDT on July 13.
“For decades, Hy‑Vee has embraced small businesses by growing relationships with new suppliers and providing the opportunity for these brands to expand,” the company said in its announcement.
Over the two‑day event, attendees will gain comprehensive insights about doing business with Hy‑Vee, participate in industry‑specific educational sessions and network with key Hy‑Vee leaders across procurement and retail store management. Attendees will also receive strategic guidance for growth and access critical tools for successful scaling, which may include on‑the‑spot contract purchases.
A live pitch competition will take place on the first day of the event, open to all small businesses across the country that are in the early stages of building their operations. From all applications, three businesses will be chosen to participate. Hy‑Vee is providing a $30,000 prize pool to the three pitch participants.
All selected attending businesses will meet one‑on‑one with retail and supply chain leaders to pitch their products and explore potential partnerships, with opportunities for on‑the‑spot item approval and increased visibility within the Hy‑Vee market.
Select suppliers will also participate in a supplier expo demoing products with key Hy‑Vee decision‑makers. A resource roundtable will include discussions with Hy‑Vee leaders on topics from distribution and food safety to finance, merchandising and marketing.