Sponsor the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit

The National Rural Grocery Summit, hosted every other year, is the premier networking and resource-sharing venue for independent grocers and rural food access stakeholders. It brings together over 300 grocery store owners and managers, community leaders, food suppliers, academic researchers, healthy food access stakeholders, policy makers, and funders to connect and share lessons learned. The event is focused on sustaining locally-owned rural grocery stores and improving access to healthy food in rural communities.

Sponsorship support for this event allows us to:

• Provide complimentary registration to rural grocery store operators (up to 2 per store);
• Host interactive breakout sessions and site visits;
• Feature multiple keynotes from national thought leaders in rural grocery;
• Facilitate meaningful networking opportunities among rural grocery stores owners, and much more!

Your contribution ensures the success of this event and helps sustain locally-owned rural grocery stores across the nation.

Note: We are using the IRIS Registration platform to collect sponsorship information. If you have not registered with IRIS before, you will be prompted to create an account in order to complete the sponsorship form. All sponsorship details are described on this page.

For more detailed information about the benefits available to sponsors, see below.

• Sponsored Breakout Session - Limited Availability through 12/31/25
  Platinum level sponsorship includes the option to lead a breakout session based on any rural grocery topic they choose.  All sponsored breakout sessions will be offered during the same slot during the conference agenda. The Planning Committee will work with you to define the title, topic and format. This option is only available to committed sponsorships received by December 31, 2025.
• Sponsor Recognition
  Silver level sponsorship and above includes recognition during the 2026 NRGS event during one of the followign times: Reception, Keynote or Break.
• Exhibitor Space
  Silver level sponsorship and above includes a booth space during our Exhibitor Fair.  Exhibitors will include funders, nonprofit organizations, wholesalers, and other relevant rural grocery support organizations.  Access to an exhibitor spaces includes 2 booth staff and priority placement is offered for Gold and Platinum level sponsors.
• Ad in Program
  Bronze level sponsorhip and above includes an ad in the 2026 NRGS event program.  Ads will follow the below specifications:
  

  • Full page: 8.5 x 11 in
  • Half page: 8.5 x 5.5 in
  • Quarter page: 4 x 5 in
• Complimentary Registrations
  Bronze level sponsorhip and above includes complimentary registration to the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit.
• Social Media Feature - For Sponsorship Commitments received by 12/31/25
  All sponsors that commit to sponsoring the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit by December 31, 2025 will be featured on event social media channels (Facebook and LinkedIn). The Planning Committee will work with your organizaiton to highlight your connection to teh NRG Summit.

Questions? Reach out to rgi@ksu.edu for more details on sponsorship.