Co+nvergence is back in 2025! NCG’s national grocery and wellness conference returns Aug. 14-15, 2025, at Saint Paul RiverCentre in the heart of downtown St. Paul, Minn. Our largest event of the year, the Co+nvergence Conference is especially for co-op promotions liaisons, grocery and wellness staff. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Co+nvergence.
Professional Development, Uniquely for Co-op Staff
At Co+nvergence, presentations and breakout sessions are uniquely tailored to staff who work in grocery and wellness departments, with a focus on helping co-ops maximize the benefits of Co+op Deals, Co+op Basics, Inclusive Trade and the upcoming November 2025 Field Day sale. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives, new skills and a deeper understanding of how to get the best results from NCG’s programs.
Co-op promotions liaisons are encouraged to attend Co+nvergence, and we also recommend this conference for grocery or wellness managers, buyers or team members with responsibility for merchandising, product selection, pricing, promotions and implementation of NCG’s Co+op Deals and Co+op Basics programs. NCG pays for three staff from each co-op (regardless of number of locations) to attend Co+nvergence.
Time to Connect with Peers and Strengthen Partnerships
Throughout the Co+nvergence, participants will have opportunities to connect with peers from co-ops across the country and engage with NCG staff to exchange ideas, address challenges and get to know one another. We’ll be hosting meetups (also known as affinity spaces) for cooperators who identify as People of the Global Majority, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse. A pair of fun and festive evening events will keep the connections growing — a reception at the Science Museum of Minnesota and the closing night party, Co+nvergence Summer Fest. Additionally, Co+nvergence features time to network with exhibitors and industry partners at the Vendor Showcase.
Make the Most of the Vendor Showcase
The Co+nvergence Vendor Showcase, our tabletop buying show exclusively for co-ops, will feature exhibitors from nearly 300 natural products brands offering attractive show deals. Engaging with exhibitors at the showcase, learning about brands and products, and placing orders on behalf of the co-op is essential to the Co+nvergence experience. We encourage all attendees to make the most of their meetings and conversations with exhibitors on the show floor.
Additionally, we invite representatives from 12 key industry partners to present product education workshops prior to the Vendor Showcase, offering attendees a unique opportunity to meet with exhibitors and learn about their products in more depth.
Meet our Event Beneficiary: Project Potluck
Each year, NCG unites with industry partners and exhibitors on a fundraising effort during Co+nvergence. In 2025, our fundraising beneficiary is Project Potluck. Since 2020, Project Potluck has been working to create a community that empowers People of Color to build successful careers and companies in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry with a focus on expanding networks, increasing access to mentorship and providing critical funding.
NCG will be contributing $125,000 to Project Potluck this year in support of our advocacy work on inclusive economies and racial equity. The orders that co-ops place during the Co+nvergence Vendor Showcase will benefit Project Potluck, too — for any show orders placed through UNFI and its subsidiaries at Co+nvergence, UNFI will donate $10 per case ordered up to $5,000.
Register by July 16
Co+nvergence registration is open now through Wednesday, July 16. For complete event details, check out the Co+nvergence invitation and other conference materials.
