Iowa Ideas 2026 | The Gazette

8 Tracks Representing Key Topics in Iowa

One of the greatest values identified by past conference attendees is the variety of topics and issues represented throughout, encouraging attendees to build a personalized experience based on unique Iowa interests. Iowa Ideas identified nine key areas (“tracks”) for the 2022 program.

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Arts & Culture

Rural, urban and regional benefit to arts, culture and entertainment in Iowa

Community

The changing Iowa landscape through the lens of geography and people within.

Education

An exploration of trends, challenges and triumphs of education across the state, from early education to higher ed and continued learning

Energy and Environment

Healthy and efficient means to protecting Iowa’s energy and environmental resources

Health Care

Delivery of high-quality medical care and wellness practices to Iowa communities

Human and Social Services

In-demand needs, resources, and gaps in access

Thank you to Four Oaks Family and Children's Service for being a Track Sponsor of Iowa Ideas 2025!

Policy

The foundation that got us to current state and big picture strategy.

Workforce

Employer and employee perspectives on trends and issues among key industries.

Conference Schedule • October 13 - 14, 2022

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Time	Arts & Culture	Community	Education	Energy and Environment	Health Care	Human and Social Services	Policy	Workforce
	Thursday Schedule
8:30AM	Opening Keynote Speaker: Simon Estes 8:30AM Opening Keynote Speaker: Simon Estes Panelists: Simon Estes Track: Keynote Sessions 308
9:15AM	DEI: Making the arts accessible to all 9:15AM DEI: Making the arts accessible to all Panelists: Lindsay Keast, LD Kidd, Mia Buch, Cavan Hallman, Adam Knight How are Iowa advocates connecting pathways within the arts to under-represented communities? How are we recruiting artists of diverse backgrounds and perspectives? Track: Arts & Culture,Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 258	Aging Infrastructure in Smaller Communities 9:15AM Aging Infrastructure in Smaller Communities Panelists: Alicia Vasto, Eldy Miller, Theresa Greenfield What can be done to preserve and protect the physical elements of a small community? A look at unfunded projects, what factors are delaying or preventing action and how communities are getting creative to move projects forward. Track: Community 253	9:15AM Track: K12 Education	9:15AM Track: Higher Education	9:15AM Track: Community and Economic Development	Carbon Dioxide Pipelines: Do they have a public benefit? 9:15AM Carbon Dioxide Pipelines: Do they have a public benefit? Panelists: John Satterfield, Charles Stanier (University of Iowa), Bill Caram (Pipeline Safety Trust) A discussion on the science, evidence and potential impact of CO2 sequestration. Track: Energy and Environment 255	Worker Shortages in Health Care 9:15AM Worker Shortages in Health Care Panelists: Jen Boyd, Carmen Kleinsmith, Teri Vos Iowa’s continued challenges in recruitment and retention in the health care industry. What are the latest strategies and incentives? Track: Health Care 256	Local Control 9:15AM Local Control Panelists: Bill Peterson, Alan Kemp, Ross Wilburn While the Iowa Constitution grants local governments “home rule” powers, local communities have accused the state of infringing on those powers in recent years – on issues from fireworks, masks, rental housing and more. Is this partisanship or are impacts deeper? Why does this matter? What impact does this have on political representation? Track: Policy 259	Iowa and 988 9:15AM Iowa and 988 Panelists: Adrianne Korbakes, Joe Smarro, Peggy Huppert (NAMI), Emily Blomme (Foundation 2 Crisis Services) 988 was launched nationwide in July 2022 as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. What is Iowa’s status when it comes to crisis intervention training and emergency response for individuals using 988? Track: Human and Social Services 257
10:20AM	Long-term sustainability and funding streams 10:20AM Long-term sustainability and funding streams Panelists: Tiffany Nagel Spinner, David Schmitz, Laura Manatt, Jeff Chelesvig A market by market review of methods for individual, foundational or grant based support for the arts in Iowa. Track: Arts & Culture 266	Child Care in the Public & Private Sector 10:20AM Child Care in the Public & Private Sector Panelists: Brian Melhus, Angie Rae Duncan, Dawn Oliver Wiand Strategy of state credits from the business community to open more pre-k opportunities to address workforce challenges. What are the benefits and challenges to this concept? Track: Community 261	10:20AM Track: K12 Education	10:20AM Track: Higher Education	10:20AM Track: Community and Economic Development	Myths vs. Reality on Solar Energy 10:20AM Myths vs. Reality on Solar Energy Panelists: Sara Alden, Justin Foss (Alliant Energy), Sean Kennedy A conversation for those in favor and opposed to the use of solar energy in Iowa with a focus on utility and industrial scale. Track: Energy and Environment 263	DEI: Tracking Iowa's Health Care Disparities 10:20AM DEI: Tracking Iowa's Health Care Disparities Panelists: Max Mowitz, Anne Carter (Linn County Public Health), Mary Charlton, Henny Ohr (Refugee and Immigrant Voices in Action in Waterloo) Analysis of the latest data from public health reports with a specific look at under represented populations and their access to care in Iowa. Track: Health Care,Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 264	10:20AM Track: Policy	DEI: Availability of beds for those in crisis 10:20AM DEI: Availability of beds for those in crisis Panelists: Steve Johnson, Anne Starr (Orchard Place Des Moines), Mark Sertterh, Marissa Eyanson (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services) What are the challenges for adults and kids who need a place to heal in times of crisis? A look at how necessary closures deepen the gaps, challenges in Iowa’s patient bed tracking system, insurance hurdles and who is working to better the system. Track: Human and Social Services,Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 265
11:30AM	Lunch Break 11:30AM Lunch Break Track: Featured Speakers,Keynote Sessions 309							Lunch Break 11:30AM Lunch Break Track: Featured Speakers,Keynote Sessions 309
1:15PM	Featured Speakers: Director Durham, Director Townsend 1:15PM Featured Speakers: Director Durham, Director Townsend A moderated discussion with Director Debi Durham (Iowa Economic Development Authority) and Director Beth Townsend (Iowa Civil Rights Commission). This session is pre-recorded. Track: Keynote Sessions 311
2:10PM	Bringing the arts and business communities closer together 2:10PM Bringing the arts and business communities closer together Panelists: Cody Jandik, Chris Johnson Consider the economic impact of the arts in neighborhoods, business districts, and main streets. How can Iowa business leaders incorporate the arts in their recruitment and retention strategies for workforce? Track: Arts & Culture 273	Promoting Iowa in 2022 2:10PM Promoting Iowa in 2022 Panelists: Julie Stow, Jacque Rahe, Keith Rahe Iowa’s focus on road trip itineraries and creative ways to appreciate the state. How does making Iowa a popular visitor destination have benefit to the marketability of our state for permanent residents? How does the change in population impact promotional effort? Track: Community 268	2:10PM Track: K12 Education	2:10PM Track: Higher Education	2:10PM Track: Community and Economic Development	Electric Vehicles and Utility Grids 2:10PM Electric Vehicles and Utility Grids Panelists: Adam Jablonski, Marc Franke, Stu Anderson Hear from early adopters, suppliers and industry components. What are registration numbers and how is Iowa in resource capcacity, charging stations, and supply chains? Track: Energy and Environment 270	Prescription Drug Prices 2:10PM Prescription Drug Prices Panelists: Juliette Cubanski, Robert Nichols, Andria Seip, Matt Osterhaus, Darlene Schmidt From legislation to the consumer, an update on income cap, over the counter drug coverage and more. Track: Health Care 271	Name, Image and Likeness Laws for Student Athletes 2:10PM Name, Image and Likeness Laws for Student Athletes Panelists: Brad Heinrichs, Lyla Clerry, David Harris The ability for college players to earn money from their name image and likeness has led to a number of collectives and opportunities for athletes and fans to forge new relationships. Meanwhile, Iowa became the 15th state in August in which high school athletes could begin to earn money from use of their name, image or likeness. We’ll discuss what this means for athletes, programs and fans as the era of NIL takes hold. Track: Policy 274	The next phase of Iowa's Managed Care organizations: A Conversation with Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia 2:10PM The next phase of Iowa's Managed Care organizations: A Conversation with Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia Panelists: Kelly Garcia Join Iowa Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia in a conversation about the realignment of multiple departments into a new division, upcoming changes to the state's Medicaid program as well as work the department is doing with community providers following a Department of Justice investigation into the Glenwood and Woodward Resource Centers. The session will be moderated by Gazette Executive Editor Zack Kucharski. Track: Human and Social Services 272
3:15PM	The role of arts and culture in community place making 3:15PM The role of arts and culture in community place making Panelists: Christopher Hunter, Jon Berg, Tiffany Tauscheck, Monica Leo How can the arts help inform or tell the stories of Iowa neighborhoods? What steps do communities consider when building a distinct, welcoming space? Track: Arts & Culture 281	An Update on Broadband 3:15PM An Update on Broadband Panelists: Quentin Hart (Mayor of Waterloo), Curt Eldred, Patrice Carroll, Matt Behrens, Casey Peck In the last year, Iowa has seen an additional $300 million more in broadband investment to encourage stronger connection regardless of geographic location. Is it working? Track: Community 276	3:15PM Track: K12 Education	3:15PM Track: Higher Education	3:15PM Track: Community and Economic Development	Siting Decisions for Animal Feeding Operations, Solar, & Wind 3:15PM Siting Decisions for Animal Feeding Operations, Solar, & Wind Panelists: Ben Lipari, John Robbins, Wally Taylor, Shannon Roesler Addressing challenges and balancing needs when it comes to CAFO's, wind, and solar locations. Track: Energy and Environment 278	The Future of Telehealth 3:15PM The Future of Telehealth Panelists: Sue Gehling, Jessica Lovrien, Jen Amis, Doug Van Daele At the close of the emergency declaration, what's next in telehealth from an indsutry, insurance and community perspective? Track: Health Care 279	The Links of Domestic Abuse and Homicide 3:15PM The Links of Domestic Abuse and Homicide Panelists: Jodi Bowden-Fuentes, Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, Lisa Ambrose (Amani Community Services), Nick Maybanks, Laura Hessburg Domestic violence homicides continued an upward trend in 2021 to the highest levels seen in at least 10 years. More than half of all Iowans killed in a domestic violence incident were killed with a gun. What is – or could – be done to lower domestic violence deaths? Why are they spiking now and what can Iowans do to reduce domestic violence across the state? Track: Policy 282	Suicide Ideation among adults and younger 3:15PM Suicide Ideation among adults and younger Panelists: Dr. Kelly Wood, Keri Neblett, Drew Martel (Foundation 2), Dr. Gerta Bardhoshi (Iowa Center for School Mental Health) A discussion on the range of stressors that can put individuals at mental health high risk. How is Iowa working through spikes and who is leading in resources? Track: Human and Social Services 280
4:20PM	The Big Idea: Rebuilding the Arts Audience 4:20PM The Big Idea: Rebuilding the Arts Audience Panelists: Jason Anderson, Jeff Capps, Sean Ulmer (Cedar Rapids Museum of Art) Regardless of past success, arts and culture organizations across Iowa need to find new ways to build and engage their audience. How are organizations getting creative after several seasons of audience pivots? Best practices and lesssons learned wil be shared in this roundtable session. Track: Arts & Culture 289	The Big Idea: Leading in Iowa 4:20PM The Big Idea: Leading in Iowa Panelists: Jade Ploessl, Jessi McQuerrey, Jessica Komisar A roundtable offering of resources available to develop leadership skills throughout Iowa. What’s available and what’s missing? Track: Community 284	4:20PM Track: K12 Education	4:20PM Track: Higher Education	4:20PM Track: Community and Economic Development	The Big Idea: Iowa and the Mississippi River 4:20PM The Big Idea: Iowa and the Mississippi River Panelists: Chris Jones, Michael Schmidt, Tegan Wendland The Mississippi River travels 2,350 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. What is Iowa's contribution to the water quality of the basin and how is our state perceived by others? Track: Energy and Environment 286	The Big Idea: Iowa's Weight Gain 4:20PM The Big Idea: Iowa's Weight Gain Panelists: Robert Kruse, Dara Lieberman, Cindy Fiester Obesity has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic. What is the state and severity of this diagnosis? How is this trend having an impact on health related resources? Track: Health Care 287	The Big Idea: Keeping Balance in the Judiciary 4:20PM The Big Idea: Keeping Balance in the Judiciary Panelists: Connie Ryan, Chief Justice Susan Christensen, Henry Hamilton A fair and independent judicial branch is a key piece of a democratic form of government. The independence – including free from outside influences – helps judges stick the facts of the case and ignore other influences. Once hailed as a gold standard in judicial selection, there have been challenges in the judicial selection process, significant wave of retirements meaning Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed the majority of the court. A global pandemic also impacted how the courts have done business. How is the court doing at managing against outside influences and working to preserve its balance? Track: Policy 290	The Big Idea: Nonprofit Response to Inflation 4:20PM The Big Idea: Nonprofit Response to Inflation Panelists: Brittany Scanlon, Katherine Harrington, Joe Quick As extra national and state funding streams are shifting or ending, how are non-profits getting creative to provide service and support for their communities? What collaborations are working? Track: Human and Social Services 288
	Friday Schedule
8:30AM	Speed Networking 8:30AM Speed Networking Track: Featured Speakers,Keynote Sessions 312							Speed Networking 8:30AM Speed Networking Track: Featured Speakers,Keynote Sessions 312
9:05AM	Featured Keynote Speaker: Michele Shelton 9:05AM Featured Keynote Speaker: Michele Shelton Panelists: Michele Shelton Track: Keynote Sessions 313
10:10AM	Preserving the Arts in Public Education 10:10AM Preserving the Arts in Public Education Panelists: Sarah Fairfield, Jon Welch, Leon Kuehner, Karoline Meyers How are the arts and culture community leaders working with school administrators to ensure continued representation and engagement with students? A look at the challenges as well as programs that continue to thrive. Track: Arts & Culture 297	An Emphasis On Outdoor Recreation 10:10AM An Emphasis On Outdoor Recreation Panelists: Maggie McClelland, Greg Edwards, Matt Phippen, Joe Horaney, Mary Joy Lu The pandemic has put extra focus on year round outdoor recreation in Iowa. What is the strategy behind local and visitor appeal? How are we utilizing our natural assets and embracing the outdoors? Track: Community 292	10:10AM Track: K12 Education	10:10AM Track: Higher Education	10:10AM Track: Community and Economic Development	Bitcoin Mines & Data Centers: How large energy users affect Iowa's power grid. 10:10AM Bitcoin Mines & Data Centers: How large energy users affect Iowa's power grid. Panelists: Kerri Johannsen, Jim Martin-Schramm, JP Baric Impact on data centers and energy used by larger consumers and corporations. What is the value to the public/state of these data centers? Track: Energy and Environment 294	The Surge of STI's in Iowa 10:10AM The Surge of STI's in Iowa Panelists: George Walton, Heather Meador Public health officials have reported a recent rise in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). What is causing the surge? What communities are most at risk and what ongoing care is available in Iowa? Track: Health Care 295	School Choice 10:10AM School Choice Panelists: Trish Wilger (Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education), Melissa Peterson, Drew Klein, Margaret Buckton While multiple school choice measures stalled in the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature last year, they’re expected to again be a major theme when lawmakers return to Des Moines in January. What’s fueling the push? What do the proposals mean for students, public and private schools? What will these measures mean for Iowa’s rural districts? Track: Policy 298	DEI: Immigrant and refugee long-term success in Iowa 10:10AM DEI: Immigrant and refugee long-term success in Iowa Panelists: Alison Hoeman, Robin Clark Bennett, Stephanie Moris, Minouche Bandubuila, Mugisha Gloire (United We March Forward) When an influx occurs, how do community resources respond? What is the starting point to understand individual or family needs such as education, job training and job access? Track: Human and Social Services,Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 296
11:15AM	Unlocking Successful Public Art Programs 11:15AM Unlocking Successful Public Art Programs Panelists: Robin Anderson, John Englebrecht, Mat Greiner, Teva Dawson (Group Creatives Services--launched Art Week in Des Moines ), Nick Ludwig Exploring partnerships and development programs that support the arts. Track: Arts & Culture 305	DEI: Barriers to Home Ownership 11:15AM DEI: Barriers to Home Ownership Panelists: Stephanie Murphy, Sarah Thompson, Karey Chase The process to purchase a home is complex. What are the greatest challenges to ensure access to resources, education and support for all who want to make this investment? Track: Community,Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 300	11:15AM Track: K12 Education	11:15AM Track: Higher Education	11:15AM Track: Community and Economic Development	Extreme Weather on agriculture, infrastructure, and people 11:15AM Extreme Weather on agriculture, infrastructure, and people Panelists: Gabriele Villarini, Aaron Graber, Dennis Todey, Dr. Mark Licht (Iowa State University, Department of Agronomy ), Tamara Marcus How does weather impact the lives of Iowans and the future of our communities? Track: Energy and Environment 302	Oral Health 11:15AM Oral Health Panelists: Suzanne Heckenlaible, Elizabeth Matney, Howard Cowen Maintaining oral health in all phases of life is essential, but long-term neglect can have serious impact and is cited as the leading cause of death in nursing homes. What contributes to poor dental health and how does this connect to other health-related issues? Track: Health Care 303	Protecting our elders: Iowa's new Elder Abuse law 11:15AM Protecting our elders: Iowa's new Elder Abuse law Panelists: Brad Anderson, Robyn Mills, Larry Kudej, Chantelle Smith Elder abuse became a specific criminal offense under a new law that took effect July 1. The new laws – which establish criminal penalties -- also address theft, assault and financial exploitation of those over age 60. We’ll talk about the impacts the laws are expected to have as well as why the laws were necessary in the first place. Track: Policy 306	The Rise of Substance Abuse 11:15AM The Rise of Substance Abuse Panelists: Kelly Reitzler, Amy Doerrfeld, Dale Woolery, Shawn Dorius, Monica Wilke-Brown A discussion about the rise in use of substances and the weight of resource scarcity. What is happening in overdose prevention and educating people on addiction? Track: Human and Social Services 304
12:20PM	Closing Keynote Speakers: Clarissa Chun and Dan Gable 12:20PM Closing Keynote Speakers: Clarissa Chun and Dan Gable Panelists: Dan Gable, Clarissa Chun Two Olympians will share their experiences and talk about the future and growth of one of Iowa's most iconic collegiate sports. Track: Keynote Sessions 314

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Iowa Ideas Conference Schedule 2022

8 Tracks Representing Key Topics in Iowa

Conference Schedule • October 13 - 14, 2022

Iowa Ideas
Conference Schedule 2022