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Thank you for your interest in hosting a side event at the 2025 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, taking place October 21–23, 2025, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Click Here to Apply for a Side Event
Partners are invited to host side events each year, providing a platform for discussing food and agriculture topics with diverse speakers. These events are integral, showcasing unique work, fostering dialogue and engaging attendees.
Side events will be held on the 3rd floor of the Iowa Events Center. Registration for the Borlaug Dialogue is required to host, speak or participate in side events. A special registration rate is available for those who only wish to host, speak or attend side events.
BENEFITS:
- Complimentary, high-visibility promotion from the World Food Prize Foundation, including your event featured on printed materials, the main LED wall at the entrance, plenary session screens and digital signage outside your side event room.
- Dedicated support from the Foundation, CLE and (if applicable) the catering team.
- Your choice of two standardized room layouts. Click here to see the layout options.
- New this year: The Foundation will spearhead enhanced promotional efforts through Accelevents, the event registration platform.
- New this year: The Foundation will collect RSVPs for each side event and share attendee names with event hosts, helping organizations understand their expected audience.
- New this year: 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).
- New this year: There is a significantly discounted “Side Event Only” ticket option for hosts and attendees who are only attending a side event. This $250 ticket option does not include access to the Borlaug Dialogue’s plenary sessions, special events or meals.
- New this year: There will be a maximum of 4 concurrent side events per time slot, increasing attendance at each side event.
- New this year: Side events can be 60 mins, 90 mins or 120 mins.
SCHEDULE OPTIONS:
Side events are available in 60, 90 or 120-minute blocks during the following windows:
Tuesday, October 21 (Morning + Evening)
7 a.m. - 8 a.m.
7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, October 22 (Morning + Evening)
7 a.m. - 8 a.m.
7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday, October 23 (Morning)
7 a.m. - 8 a.m.
7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
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.
Please note: Livestreaming and session recording are not included in the base cost and are available for an additional fee.
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Single Room - 60 Minute Event - $5,600
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Single Room - 90 Minute Event - $6,200
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Single Room - 120 Minute Event - $6,800
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Double Room - 60 Minute Event - $8,200
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Double Room - 90 Minute Event - $8,800
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Double Room - 120 Minute Event - $9,400
Livestream/Recording Add On Fee: $2,300
Enhance your side event with our livestream and recording package. This service includes a locked-down camera with professional audio, livestreamed directly into the Borlaug Dialogue's Accelevents platform. A high-quality recording of the session will be available within 48 hours 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
New this year, 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.
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 taking place 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 is it 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 2024 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 here.
- The “In-Person Ticket” offers access to the Borlaug Dialogue’s plenary sessions, special events and meals between October 21 - 23.
- The “Side Event Only” Ticket 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 23 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 are due by July 1, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance by email on a rolling basis and no later than August 1, 2025.
Deep Dives at the Dialogue Exhibit Booths Meet Me at the Dialogue Special Meetings