Hy-Vee to Host OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit to Showcase Local Minority and Women Owned Businesses in the Quad Cities

Conference will include a pitch competition awarding up to $50,000 in business grants

Hy-Vee, Inc. announces today that it is hosting a unique opportunity to advance local minority- and women-owned companies through a networking and showcase opportunity in the Quad Cities in September.

The Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit will be held Tuesday, September 19, at the University Club in Moline. The summit will feature an expo offering resources for small businesses, learning opportunities through presentations and panel discussions, the chance to be inspired by other brands and more. Local community groups and organizations, area businesses and other professionals interested in supporting or networking with small-business owners are also invited to attend at no cost.

In addition, local minority and women-owned businesses are invited to apply for the chance to showcase their products or services during a pitch competition at the Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit. Selected applicants will present to a panel of judges for the chance to win up to $30,000 as an investment for future endeavors.

Hy-Vee is currently accepting submissions for local products or services for the pitch competition at www.hy-veeopportunitysummit.com in the following categories of economically viable and/or previously tested products or services: food and beverage; product innovation and technology; and health, wellness and beauty. There is no cost to apply. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. (CDT) on August 22, 2023.

A panel of judges will select one grand-prize winner to earn $30,000. Plus, one first-place winner will be selected from each pitch category (three total) earning $5,000 each. Additional cash investments may be awarded and select finalists may be invited to participate in further discussions regarding their product or service following the summit.

Media Contact:

Nola Aigner Davis Senior Communications Manager Office: (515) 695-3198 Mobile: (641) 430-9170 Nola. AignerDavis@hy-vee.com

WHAT: WHEN:

WHERE:

Hy-Vee’s OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit

Tuesday, September 19 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The University Club 1526 5th Avenue Moline, IL 61265

Hy-Vee remains committed to inclusivity by expanding and enhancing product and service offerings that support various needs, lifestyles and backgrounds. The summit gives local minority- and women-owned

businesses the opportunity to grow and prosper, while providing Hy-Vee customers with meaningful solutions to make their lives easier, healthier and happier.

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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than $13 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 5 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 3 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.