Iowa Ideas free virtual conference is Thursday and Friday

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Gazette, an ESOP owned media company headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has announced the return of the statewide Iowa Ideas Virtual Conference on Thursday and Friday. The full schedule and free registration will be available through throughout the conference at www.iowaideas.com

About Iowa Ideas

The Gazette launched Iowa Ideas in the fall of 2016 with the intent to be an inclusive gathering hub for passionate Iowans to explore and discuss issues impacting the state. The exchange of views across industries, party lines and positions as Iowans became a quick win in both attendee experience and solutions-driven content. In 2020, restrictions of a national pandemic, alongside a derecho natural disaster, led to a commitment to move the conference forward in 2020 as an all virtual, all-access experience that welcomed a record 1,200 attendees. The message was clear: Iowa Ideas no was longer a luxury, but a necessity to gain greater understanding of what issues, challenges and solutions we face as a state.

2021 Conference highlights

Now in year five, Iowa Ideas has reached a statewide footprint that features hundreds of local, state and national speakers. The conference remains free to attend, with the support of generous sponsors, including presenting sponsor ITC Midwest, and keynote sponsor United Fire Group.

Every track of Iowa Ideas has worked through an internal and statewide advisory council, working with event organizers to identify the most current issues within the sectors of education, health care, workforce, infrastructure, human and social services, diversity, equity and inclusion, community development, energy and environment, and policy.

The 2021 conference welcomes Visiting University of Iowa Associate Professor David Gould, author and senior criminal justice fellow Thomas Abt, and Iowa native, NASA astronaut and SpaceX team leader Peggy Whitson as keynotes, in addition to 50 issue-based sessions across nine tracks. Virtual social groups, community discussions are already live within the conference’s Whova platform, with an in-person Pints and Politics event at Millstream Brewing in the Amanas scheduled for Thursday evening.

Join fellow Iowans

There is truly nothing like Iowa Ideas offered in the state. Who attends? Policymakers, students, seasoned leaders, small business owners, individuals with a passion for Iowa, and beyond. If you care about Iowa, this conference — this experience — is for you. Review the 2021 schedule and register now (for free) to start building your custom Iowa Ideas Conference agenda at www.iowaideas.com