Hy-Vee Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit FAQ 2026

*Please note that the submission deadline for this opportunity is July 13, 2026. No more submissions will be accepted after this date. 

1. What is the Hy-Vee Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit?

• The Hy-Vee Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit is your chance to connect directly with Hy-Vee category managers and executives. Over the course of two days, selected small business owners will participate in:
  • One-on-one category manager meetings
  • A supplier expo and live product demos
  • Educational sessions led by Hy-Vee experts
  • An optional pitch competition with cash prizes
  • Guaranteed product placement opportunities for top-performing vendors
    Our goal is simple: provide real tools and access to help small businesses grow responsibly, sustainably, and with long-term support.

2. How does the application process work?
   • Hy-Vee is partnering with RangeMe to manage the online application process and review product submissions for the Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit.
     • Application Window: June 22, 2026 – July 13, 2026
     • Platform: All submissions must be made through RangeMe using this link (Link will go live 6/22/26).
   • If your product is selected through the RangeMe review process, you will be notified on or around July 29, 2026, and formally invited to attend the in-person summit, taking place September 9–10, 2026 in Iowa.
     • Please note: Submitting an application is a commitment to attend the event in person if selected.
   • If selected, Hy-Vee may contact you with additional opportunities to participate in special programming, such as:
     • A live pitch competition with a prize pool
     • The supplier demo expo

These opportunities will be communicated directly by Hy-Vee after selection.

3. What are the key dates I should know?

• June 22, 2026:  Submissions open 
• July 13, 2026: Deadline to submit. There will be no extension from that date. 
• On or around July 29th, 2026: Suppliers are notified regarding their Opportunity Summit submission status.  Approved suppliers will receive a prep package via email which will include logistics and additional information regarding attending the event. 
• September 9-10: Hy-Vee Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit taking place at Hy-Vee headquarters in West Des Moines, IA.

4. What types of businesses/products is Hy-Vee looking for?
   • The summit is open to U.S.-based small businesses with products manufactured domestically. We are actively seeking suppliers with new and innovative products in the following categories:
     • Grocery
     • General Merchandise
     • Produce
     • Deli
     • Frozen
     • Dairy
     • Health & Wellness
     • Beauty

5. Are there any product categories that are not eligible for participation in the Opportunity Summit?
   • Yes. Products containing CBD/hemp-derived ingredients, alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, or other highly regulated substances are not eligible for this event.

6. The application is asking me for a NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code, what if I don’t have an NAICS code?
   • If you're unsure of your NAICS code, don’t worry—it’s common for small or early-stage businesses to not know their code offhand. Every type of business activity can be classified under a NAICS code, and finding the right one is straightforward:

How to find your NAICS code:

• Visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s NAICS Lookup Tool: https://www.naics.com/search/
• Use the search bar to enter keywords that describe your business activities (e.g., “coffee roasting,” “apparel manufacturing,” “marketing consulting”).
• Review the list of suggested codes and select the one that best aligns with your primary line of business.

If you truly don’t have one assigned yet:

You can still choose the code that most closely represents what your business does. This helps Hy-Vee understand the types of products or services you offer, and it’s commonly used for classification, sourcing, and reporting purposes.

Still unsure? You may also want to consult your tax documents, business registration paperwork, or speak with your accountant for guidance.

7. Do you have any tips on completing my product submission/application? There are questions I do not know how to answer?
   • Make sure to complete the submission form fully and accurately. We highly recommend uploading good quality photos of your product and providing the inspiration behind your product/company.
     A video representing the specific product(s) (via link) is not required but highly recommended.
     If you have further questions on how to answer questions, please reach out to: opportunity@hy-vee.com

8. How do I participate in the cash infusion/pitch competition portion of the event?
   • Participation in the live pitch competition, which includes a cash prize pool, is by invitation only.
     Hy-Vee will review supplier applications and reach out directly to a select group of vendors to gauge interest and gather additional information. From those respondents, three finalists will be selected to participate in the live pitch competition during the event.
     Finalists will receive direct communication from Hy-Vee with all necessary logistics, rules, and guidelines in advance of the summit. Winners and cash prize awards will be announced at the end of the day on September 18th.

9. What are the benefits of attending the summit?
   • Hy-Vee will offer multiple competitive opportunities throughout the two-day event to recognize and award select participants with:
     • Educational sessions led by Hy-Vee experts
     • Cash infusions awarded through our Supplier Pitch Competition
     • On-the-spot item approval with Hy-Vee category managers
     • Guaranteed shelf space in select Hy-Vee stores for top-performing suppliers
     • E-commerce feature placements for scalable and innovative products
     • Meet-and-greet access to Hy-Vee executives and experts
     • Spots in Hy-Vee’s Go Big Show, our premier internal procurement expo with direct access to all Hy-Vee store leaders

10. What is RangeMe? Why am I being directed to RangeMe.com to submit my products?
    • RangeMe is the product discovery and sourcing platform where retailers and suppliers discover, connect and grow their businesses. Hy-Vee has partnered with this web platform – RangeMe, to gather all item pitches for the event. Subject to space availability, only items submitted on RangeMe during the application period will be considered.

11. How do I know if Hy-Vee received my submissions?
    • You will receive a confirmation message from RangeMe after you submit your application. If you do not see the email after you’ve submitted, be sure to check your spam or junk folder. You can also go to the submissions tab at the top of your profile and select “My Submissions” to view any submissions you have made.
      After submission, please allow 24 hours for your application to be verified/processed by RangeMe. 
      You will be notified of your application status on or around July 29, 2026. 
      If you are invited to attend the in-person event, you will receive the invitation from Hy-Vee on or around the same time.

12. My product is verified/processed by RangeMe, now what?
    • Once your application and product have been verified/processed by RangeMe, it will be reviewed by Hy-Vee. Please note that RangeMe only verifies/processes product information to be published. Having your product verified/processed does NOT mean your products have been selected by Hy-Vee.  You will be notified of your application status on or around July 29, 2026.
13. Is there a cost to apply?
    • No. Hy-Vee covers all registration fees, meals during the conference, and access to all programming, free of charge.  Travel and lodging are not included.

14. If I am not selected to participate, can I still attend the Opportunity Summit?
    •  Unfortunately, the Opportunity Summit is an invitation-only event with limited space and resources focused on selected suppliers. If you are not selected this round, we encourage you to stay connected for future opportunities and events designed to support businesses with new and innovative products.

15. What should I expect at the event?

Day 1 – Education, Insight & Pitch Competition

Get inspired, informed, and ready to go

• Executive welcome and summit kickoff
• Educational sessions with Hy-Vee leaders & experts
• Live Pitch Competition – featuring a $30,000 prize pool for selected applicants

Day 2 – Category manager Meetings & Expo

Turn conversations into sales

• One-on-one category manager meetings with Hy-Vee category managers
• On-the-spot feedback, mentorship, and potential procurement decisions
• Resource Roundtable with networking and expert support
• Live Supplier Expo – select vendors will demo their products for Hy-Vee leaders and decision-makers

16. How will I be notified if I am selected?
    • All companies that submit by the deadline will receive an email after the application period closes announcing the result of their application.

17. Who covers travel and lodging?
    • You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements. Up to three (3) representatives will be allowed to attend the in-person event. All representatives are required to expressly consent to Terms and Conditions of this Event, and sign applicable forms and releases required by Hy-Vee.

18. Can I apply if I’m already a Hy-Vee supplier? Can I apply if I have attended a Hy-Vee supplier event in the past?
    • If you are currently a warehouse supplier, we recommend not submitting through this application and program. Instead, please connect directly with your assigned category manager to schedule a meeting outside of this event.
      
      This event is intended for:
      • New suppliers not currently working with Hy-Vee
      • Existing Direct Store Delivery (DSD) suppliers who are in limited Hy-Vee locations and would like to expand their presence or pitch new products

If you have previously attended a Hy-Vee Opportunity Summit or other Hy-Vee supplier event but are not a warehouse supplier, you are encouraged to apply—especially if you are submitting new, innovative, or previously unreviewed products.

19. How many samples of my product do I need to supply Hy-Vee?
    • Samples before the event are not required, but a category manager may request them if applicable, and they will do this via RangeMe.  If you are selected to attend the in-person event, you may bring up to 3 samples of your product(s) with you to the event.  Hy-Vee is not responsible for returning any samples and is not responsible for any cost associated when providing samples to Hy-Vee. Supplier is responsible for bringing samples. If Hy-Vee wants to keep your sample for further review, you can leave products at the in-person event. If not, you are responsible to take your sample back with you.
      Supplier is responsible for keeping up with their product(s) during the in-person event as you participate in additional activities.

20. Can I ship my product sample in early? What if my item is too large, can I bring a video that demos the product?
    • No, only if requested by a category manager.  Hy-Vee will not receive product samples early or store prior to the in-person event. 
      If your sample is too large to carry with you, please provide a link to a 1 to 3-minute demo video (YouTube preferred)
      If you are selected to participate in the event’s supplier expo, instructions will be provided to you directly.

21. Can I submit more than one product?
    • Yes, all items submitted by a supplier can be viewed on the RangeMe platform

22. I submitted more products than those listed in my confirmed meetings. Can I still present those not listed?
    • Your product pitch should focus on items appropriate for the category for which you are meeting. Please limit your product pitch meetings to the items listed in your confirmed meeting invitation (and any color/size/style variants that are appropriate for the category listed in the confirmed meeting information).

23. Where can I see past participants/Hy-Vee’s support of small businesses?
    • https://www.hy-vee.com/discover/spotlights/support-local-at-hy-vee.

24. What if I have more questions?
    • Reach out to opportunity@hy-vee.com