Thank you for your interest in hosting a side event at the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, taking place October 20–22, 2026, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
The side event application will open on May 13, 2026.
BENEFITS:
- Hosts receive complimentary, high-visibility promotion from the World Food Prize Foundation, including your event featured on printed materials, plenary session screens and digital signage outside your side event room.
- Hosts receive dedicated support from the Foundation, CLE (the A/V provider) and, if applicable, the catering team.
- The Foundation will spearhead enhanced promotional efforts through Accelevents, the event registration platform.
- The Foundation will collect RSVPs for each side event and share anticipated attendance numbers with event hosts, helping organizations understand their expected audience.
- All side events will be featured in the Foundation's promotional materials leading up to and during the event (e.g., social media posts and newsletters).
- There is a significantly discounted “In-Person Ticket: Side Event Only” option for hosts and attendees who are only attending a side event. This ticket option does not include access to the Borlaug Dialogue’s plenary sessions, special events or meals.
- There will be a maximum of five concurrent side events per time slot, helping to ensure strong attendance at each side event.
SCHEDULE OPTIONS:
Side events are available in 60-, 90- or 120-minute blocks during the following windows:
- Wednesday, October 21 (Morning & Evening)
- Thursday, October 22 (Morning)
COSTS AND BILLING:
The cost of a side event varies based on the size of the selected room and the duration of the event. The pricing below includes a basic A/V package, tailored to either a single or double room setup.
- Single Room – 60-Minute Event - $5,600
- Single Room – 90-Minute Event - $6,200
- Single Room – 120-Minute Event - $7,200 (Wednesday Evening Only)
- Double Room – 60-Minute Event - $8,200
- Double Room – 90-Minute Event - $8,800
- Double Room – 120-Minute Event - $9,800 (Wednesday Evening Only)
Livestream/Recording Add-On Fee: $2,400
Enhance your side event with our livestream and recording package. This service includes a locked-down camera with professional audio, livestreamed directly to the Borlaug Dialogue's Accelevents platform. A high-quality recording of the session will be available following the Borlaug Dialogue and uploaded to the World Food Prize Foundation’s YouTube channel. A downloadable file of the recording will also be provided to the client for future use and distribution.
Photography Add-On Fee: $500
We are offering the option to have a professional photographer visit your side event for up to 30 minutes to capture high-quality images. This service is available for an additional fee of $500 and provides a great opportunity to document your event and share impactful moments with your network. Availability is limited and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Room Layout Change Fee: $500
The standard room layout is included at no additional cost and is designed to accommodate a wide range of event formats. Any requested changes to the room setup beyond the standard configuration will incur a $500 fee and are subject to availability and venue approval.
Additional Customizations
You may request enhancements such as:
- Upgraded A/V beyond standard package
- Larger or non-standard room setups
- Additional rental furniture
- Specialized catering
These requests will be accommodated, where possible, but will result in higher costs.
CATERING:
- Side events held in the morning are required to provide a light or plated breakfast.
- It is recommended that side events taking place in the afternoon and evening include food and beverages, but it is not required.
- All catering services will be provided through the Iowa Event Center's exclusive vendor (Oakview Group) that will handle all quotes and billing. For questions, please contact Derrik Wallace at Derrik.Wallace@oakviewgroup.com.
- The 2025 Side Event Menu Options are available for your reference. Please note that the Iowa Events Center will be updating their catering menu, which will be provided to you upon acceptance in July.
REGISTRATION:
Please note that all side event hosts, speakers and attendees will need to register for the Borlaug Dialogue.
- The “In-Person Ticket” offers access to the Borlaug Dialogue’s plenary sessions, special events and meals between October 20-22.
- The “In-Person Ticket: Side Event Only” option offers access to side events only. This ticket option does not include access to the Borlaug Dialogue’s plenary sessions, special events, meals or Laureate Award Ceremony.
- Those interested in attending the Laureate Award Ceremony on October 22 must first purchase an "In-Person Ticket" to the Borlaug Dialogue; however, this purchase does not guarantee access to the Laureate Award Ceremony, which is by invitation only.
TIMELINE:
Applications open on May 13, 2026, and are due by July 1, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance by email on a rolling basis by August 1, 2026.
Questions: dialogues@worldfoodprize.org