MRGA's First Convention Sells Out, Draws 300-Plus to Lake Ozark

More than 300 retailers, suppliers, legislators and industry partners filled Camden on the Lake Resort in Lake Ozark, Missouri, Oct. 20-23, for the sold-out MRGA Event 2026 — the first convention held under the Midwest Retail & Grocery Alliance name. Not bad for an organization that didn't exist a year ago.

MRGA formed when the Missouri Grocers Association and the Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City joined forces to serve retailers across Missouri and Kansas. The merger is less than 12 months old. The convention sold out anyway.

Demand outran the venue in every direction. The main trade show floor in the Grand Ballroom, which holds about 50 booths, sold out by July 4. MRGA added a second floor in the Lakeside Room for another 25 booths. The host hotel and a second hotel block sold out too, and attendees spilled into Airbnbs and other hotels across the Ozarks. Roughly 320 people showed up in total, counting spouses and on-site registrations, according to EJ Fleischmann, MRGA's chief communications officer. About 35 retail companies were represented, accounting for about 100 retail attendees.

What did the new crowd think?

The format followed the template MGA has used for years, but Fleischmann said this edition drew more participation from new retailers across both states.

"I think it showed the support and excitement behind the new organization," Fleischmann said. "What we heard from many of the Kansas retailers and especially first-time attendees – they didn't know what to expect, and they were just blown away by the event as a whole."

Find your 'one thing'

About 115 attendees gathered for the morning education sessions on Oct. 22, moderated by Kelly Knowles of Allcourt Public Affairs. Keynote speaker Jill Dearing presented "What to Copy. What to Reject. What to Own," a look at how independent grocers can build stores shoppers still choose. Fleischmann said Dearing held up Casey's General Stores — known for its pizza — as a retailer that owns one thing.

"Find that thing that you can be known for in your community," Fleischmann said, describing the session's message for independents. Hot foods, doughnuts, baked goods. Pick one. Be it.

AI, SNAP and what changes in February

An "AI in the Grocery Industry" panel featured Derick Kermendy of Instacart, Jordan White of White's Foodliner, Jed Penney of Schnucks and Robert Austin of Empower Fresh. Fleischmann framed it as a start, not a finish.

"Technology is ever-changing," he said. "So, that's going to be something we continue to evolve with and try to continue to offer those opportunities for our retailers to learn about the tools and resources available to them."

A third panel tackled SNAP waivers, Retail Rescue and food access ahead of the SNAP waivers slated to take effect in Missouri and Kansas in February. Kevin Billings of Sifter Solutions shared how the company helped Arkansas at the state level and has worked with individual retailers across the country to solve SNAP issues. Leigh Anne Haun of Feeding Missouri, the Missouri chapter of Feeding America, and Monic Houpe of Harvesters, a food bank operating across Missouri and Kansas, added insights on benefits and healthy eating.

Some members already use programs such as Food is Medicine and Double Up Food Bucks. "It wasn't just centered on the SNAP waiver; it was all across the board on the changes with SNAP and also healthy eating," Fleischmann said.

Lobbying muscle in both states

President and CEO Dan Shaul delivered a government relations update and introduced two new contract lobbyists: Jackie Clark in Kansas and Ryan Gill in Missouri. Fleischmann said MRGA picks speakers deliberately.

"We try to find local, close-to-home speakers that can relate to our members or partner with individuals that are in the field working with our independent members and retailers on a day-to-day basis, so they understand the industry," he said.

Seventy-five booths, mostly local

The trade show's 75 exhibitors ranged from electronic shelf tags to insurance companies, with Missouri and Kansas products in the mix. That local emphasis is the point.

"We really strive to bring in a lot of local … products," Fleischmann said. "These are the types of products that are unique to independent retailers that [shoppers] are not going to find on the shelves of your large national chain stores. And that's what really sets them apart. We bring that to the retailers, and we give them an opportunity to meet directly with the makers and the growers of these products."

Mice, golf and a gala

The week opened Oct. 20 with a Founders Circle Cruise on Lake of the Ozarks, thanking the partners who helped launch the alliance. The next day, roughly 82 golfers played the Buy MO! Open at The Cove, presented by Shazam, followed by an afternoon Party on the Deck.

The Welcome Reception: Night at the Races drew nearly 200 guests to the hotel's boardwalk overlooking the marina for live mouse races — a common fundraiser in the St. Louis region, Fleischmann noted. MRGA hired a professional mouse race company that ran seven rounds over about two hours. Guests started with 20 chips to bet on the mice, then cashed in remaining chips for tickets to win cash prizes.

"We kept a majority of the crowd the entire time," Fleischmann said. "People were engaged and excited, and the energy was just incredible."

At the President's Gala on Oct. 22, MRGA Chairman Mike Beal told about 140 guests that the alliance's first year had exceeded expectations. The organization gave the NGA Spirit of America Award to longtime Missouri lobbyist Dave Overfelt, who is retiring after almost 40 years, and the Legacy Award to Harter House, founded in 1973 by Jerry and Barbara Bettlach and now run by four generations.

For a merged association nine months into its existence, a sold-out show, sold-out hotels and 75 exhibitors set a high bar. Year two now has a number to beat.