The 2026 Cooperative IMPACT Conference is a week away. If you haven’t already made plans to attend, we invite you to take a moment and register now.
We’re excited to welcome you back to Convene Hamilton Square with some exclusive co-op touches this year. We’ll be brewing Pachamama Coffee both days and giving away totes celebrating 10 Years of IMPACT.
For our Wednesday evening reception, we’ll enjoy live music booked through Groupmuse, a worker- and musician-owned cooperative that connects communities through music. Then on Thursday, Organic Valley is providing string cheese ahead of an inspiring keynote from their CEO Shawna Nelson.
Nelson’s keynote will bring our IMPACT theme to life through the story of Organic Valley, demonstrating the power of responding creatively to moments of profound economic change.
ICYMI: the IMPACT app is live
For those who have already registered for IMPACT 2026, we can’t wait to see you next week! In the meantime, don’t forget to download the conference app from Whova. Remember: when signing up on the Whova web portal or mobile app, please use the same email address you used to register for IMPACT.
The IMPACT app is the perfect way to kickstart your networking and earn points. Use it to introduce yourself, customize your agenda, schedule meetups with fellow attendees and participate in this year’s contests.
Don’t miss out on this year’s prizes
Attendees who earn the most points in the app are in the running to win an expanded lineup of co-op prizes from our generous sponsors:
- Our strategic partner, the International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s University, doubled their education credit to $1,000 CAD
- Our in-kind sponsor Cabot Creamery is giving away three cheese gift baskets
- New this year: gift cards from Frey Vinyards for a private-label co-op wine collection (1 red, 1 white and 1 rosé) released in partnership with BriarPatch Food Co-op and Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op
- Swag bags from our in-kind sponsors Co-op Coffees and Pachamama Coffee.
- From our co-op education sponsor Ah Hah! Foundation, a $500 USD credit toward Foundations of Cooperative Enterprise, a professional certification in partnership with Arizona State University
For another chance to win credit toward our new professional certification, stop by our Learning Hub table in the exhibitor space. We’re raffling off two $500 USD credits for Foundations of Cooperative Enterprise.
Sign up for our Hike the Hill waitlist
Our annual Hike the Hill will take place on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, October 7 from 1-4:30 PM EDT. Cooperators will play an integral role in educating policymakers in Washington, DC on the impact co-ops have in their communities.
Please note that this year’s Hike the Hill is full. But it’s not too late to join the waitlist. Send an email to [email protected] to be first in line if spaces open up.
U.S. Co-ops is excited to bring the cooperative community together next week to celebrate 10 years of IMPACT and consider how we can scale cooperative solutions to build an economy that works for everyone. Join us!