2026 Annual Independent Grocer Summit

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 9:30am-2:30pm

John A. Logan College Conference Center
700 Logan College Dr, Carterville, IL 62918

Join your fellow independent grocers for our second annual summit as we explore key topics, network with other leaders in independent grocery, and learn from innovators in the industry. This year’s theme is “Maximizing Profitability”. You will discover tools you can use to stretch your margin in meaningful amounts and instruments for benchmarking profitability in keys sectors against industry standards. Content will also include more on digital marketing and new collaboration opportunities to support your business.

Lunch provided

$25/participant if paid online or $30/participant if paying cash or check at the door

Questions?
John Shadowens
johnms@illinois.edu
217-333-4110

Thank you to our generous sponsors, Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program, Winkler Wholesale Grocers, and Prairie Farms.

This event is made possible by the University of Illinois Extension, Southern Illinois Community Foundation, Western Illinois University, and Sen. Dale Fowler.

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Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

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Please re-enter your e-mail address:

Name of grocery store: (Please list your affiliation if you are not attending for an independent grocery store.)

Please indicate the number of conference attendees in your group from the appropriate category/categories, below. *Credit card payment at time of registration is strongly preferred. If paying at the door, options are cash or check only - credit card payment option is not available.

Registrant (paid online in advance) ($25.00)

Registrant (paying $30 by cash/check at the door)

Sponsor/speaker (registration fee - exempt)

Will you be attending the summit as a sponsor, vendor, or presenter? If yes, please select the appropriate category below. Select all that apply.

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Does anyone in your party have any dietary restrictions?

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If you answered "Yes" above, please indicate attendee's name & dietary restriction in the box, below.

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Gender

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Total Registration Cost $