The Midwest Retail & Grocery Alliance welcomed more than 300 retailers, suppliers, legislators and industry partners to Camden on the Lake Resort in Lake Ozark, Missouri, Oct. 20-23 for the sold-out MRGA Event 2026 – the first convention held under the MRGA name.
The alliance formed less than a year ago when the Missouri Grocers Association and the Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City joined forces to serve retailers across Missouri and Kansas.
The main trade show floor in the Grand Ballroom, which holds about 50 booths, sold out by July 4, prompting MRGA to add a second floor in the Lakeside Room for another 25 booths. The host hotel and a second hotel block also sold out, and attendees stayed in Airbnbs and other hotels across the Ozarks. 
New attendees
EJ Fleischmann, chief communications officer for MRGA, said the convention and trade show follow the same format MGA has held for years, but this edition drew more participation from new retailers across both states.
“I think it showed the support and excitement behind the new organization,” Fleischmann said. “What we heard from many of the Kansas retailers and especially first-time attendees – they didn’t know what to expect, and they were just blown away by the event as a whole.”
Fleischmann estimated total attendance at around 320, including spouses and on-site registrations. He said about 35 retail companies were represented, accounting for about 100 retail attendees.
Session takeaway: find your ‘one thing’
About 115 attendees gathered for the morning education sessions on Oct. 22, moderated by Kelly Knowles of Allcourt Public Affairs. Keynote speaker Jill Dearing presented “What to Copy. What to Reject. What to Own.,” a look at how independent grocers can build stores shoppers still choose. Fleischmann said Dearing pointed to Casey’s General Stores, known for its pizza, as an example of a retailer known for one thing.
“Find that thing that you can be known for in your community,” said Fleischmann, describing the session’s message for independents, whether that is hot foods, doughnuts or baked goods.
AI and SNAP sessions
An “AI in the Grocery Industry” panel featured Derick Kermendy of Instacart, Jordan White of White’s Foodliner, Jed Penney of Schnucks and Robert Austin of Empower Fresh.
“Technology is ever-changing,” Fleischmann said. “So, that’s going to be something we continue to evolve with and try to continue to offer those opportunities for our retailers to learn about the tools and resources available to them.”
A third panel addressed SNAP waivers, Retail Rescue and food access ahead of the SNAP waivers slated to take effect in Missouri and Kansas in February. Fleischmann said Sifter Solutions, represented on the panel by Kevin Billings, shared how it helped Arkansas as a state and has worked with individual retailers across the country to solve issues with SNAP.
Leigh Anne Haun of Feeding Missouri, the Missouri chapter of Feeding America and Monic Houpe of Harvesters, a food bank operating across Missouri and Kansas, shared insights on benefits and healthy eating.
Fleischmann noted that some members take advantage of programs such as Food is Medicine and Double Up Food Bucks. “It wasn’t just centered on the SNAP waiver; it was all across the board on the changes with SNAP and also healthy eating,” he said.
Governmental update
MRGA also delivered a government relations update from President and CEO Dan Shaul, who introduced new contract lobbyists Jackie Clark in Kansas and Ryan Gill in Missouri.
Fleischmann said MRGA looks for speakers who understand the day-to-day operations of its members.
“We try to find local, close-to-home speakers that can relate to our members or partner with individuals that are in the field working with our independent members and retailers on a day-to-day basis, so they understand the industry,” he said.
Range of exhibitors
The trade show’s 75 exhibitors included Missouri and Kansas products along with service providers ranging from electronic shelf tags to insurance companies.
“We really strive to bring in a lot of local … products,” Fleischmann said. “These are the types of products that are unique to independent retailers that [shoppers] are not going to find on the shelves of your large national chain stores. And that’s what really sets them apart. We bring that to the retailers, and we give them an opportunity to meet directly with the makers and the growers of these products.”
Cruising into the meeting
The week opened Oct. 20 with a Founders Circle Cruise on Lake of the Ozarks thanking the partners who helped launch the alliance. The next day brought approximately 82 golfers to the Buy MO! Open at The Cove, presented by Shazam, followed by an afternoon Party on the Deck.
The Welcome Reception: Night at the Races drew nearly 200 guests to the hotel’s boardwalk overlooking the marina for live mouse races. Fleischmann said the concept is a common fundraiser in the St. Louis region, and MRGA worked with a professional mouse race company that ran seven rounds over about two hours. Guests started with 20 chips to bet on the mice, then cashed in their remaining chips for tickets to win cash prizes.
“We kept a majority of the crowd the entire time,” Fleischmann said. “People were engaged and excited, and the energy was just incredible.”
Strong first year
At the President’s Gala on Oct. 22, MRGA Chairman Mike Beal told about 140 guests that MRGA’s first year had exceeded expectations.
The organization presented the NGA Spirit of America Award to longtime Missouri lobbyist Dave Overfelt, who is retiring after almost 40 years, and the Legacy Award to Harter House, founded in 1973 by Jerry and Barbara Bettlach and now run by four generations.
Midwest Retail & Grocery Alliance Convention • Lake Ozark, MO • Oct. 20-23, 2026
