Come For the Education, Stay For the Fun! Discover VGM Heartland's Can't-Miss Social Events

Published in Member Communities on April 18, 2023

VGM Heartland Conference is known to have the best networking in the industry with unforgettable, can’t-miss social events. Heartland Conference 2023 offers several great networking events that are included with registration. Attendees will be able to enjoy unbeatable Midwest hospitality, forge new friendships and connections, and of course, make memories that’ll last a lifetime. 

Check out our schedule of events below, and if you haven’t yet, be sure to register for Heartland here.

Monday, June 12

Start the conference off with some fun by signing up for the following events (Some of these items require signing up in advance and an additional fee to participate and are noted with an *): 

Van G. Miller Golf Tournament*

Play 18 holes of golf at Waterloo’s premier golf facility during the Van G. Miller Memorial Golf Tournament.

Hansen’s Dairy Farm Hands-On Tour*

Tour a local dairy operation to see how milk, butter, and ice cream get from the farm to your table.

New This Year! Kayaking at Big Woods*/Escape to the Great Outdoors

Enjoy an afternoon in the sun, kayaking at Big Woods Lake.

*Limited availability: To purchase tickets, please log in to your portal at 
https://www.vgmheartland.com/portal/login.

First-Time Attendee Social  

New to VGM Heartland Conference? This first-time attendee social offers a chance to network with fellow first-time Heartland attendees at a local hotspot and learn how to make the most of your first conference!   

Rendezvous in the ‘Loo at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre 

Grab a cold beer or soda and mingle at the iconic Heartland Kick-Off Event! You’ll enjoy a delicious dinner, then kick back and relax with live music and a dazzling firework display over the Cedar River. 

Tuesday, June 13 

After the first full day of educational sessions, join us for the exhibit hall grand opening! 

Exhibit Hall 

Attend the expo to experience even more opportunities to interact with VGM’s vendor partners with extended hours! Spend some quality time checking out the hottest products offered by VGM's participating vendors with a delicious appetizer in-hand. See their industry-leading products, software solutions, and conference promotions all while enjoying refreshments and networking with peers. 

After you stop and say hi to our wide array of exhibitors, you can head over to our local amusement park! This year, we’re excited to host our social event at the Lost Island Amusement Park for the first time. 

New This Year! Connections and Coasters at Lost Island Amusement Park 

If you’re a thrill seeker, you can jump on some coasters and scream your lungs out. If you’re looking to make some connections with key industry experts, you can do that too! Connections and Coasters will be at the new Lost Island Amusement Park and provide a one-of-a-kind Heartland experience! And yes, there will be some food and drinks too! 

Wednesday, June 14 

Lunch and Legislation 

Grab lunch from your favorite food truck and get a seat for lunch and legislation. Listen to Wayne Grau, NCART executive director, discuss the future of CRT in 2023, or John Gallagher, VP of VGM Government Relations; Jay Witter, senior vice president, public policy for AAHomecare; and Cara Bachenheimer, head of the government affairs practice of Brown & Fortunato, discuss the future outlook for DME. 

 State Fair at the Farm 

What better way to wrap up a trip to the Heartland Conference than taking part in an Iowa tradition of a State Fair! Enjoy some good food and experience the Heartland version of a Midwest State Fair while soaking up some summer sun at the VGM Farm. Line up for fair activities such as ring toss or balloon pop, or show off your skills on a mechanical bull or in a pie-eating contest. And it wouldn’t be a fair without the food! Standard carnival foods will be available, as well as some special Iowa-inspired bites and beverages. And if we’re lucky, there will be animals to feed and pet. 

When you register for Heartland, you get the all-inclusive pricing that includes the amazing networking opportunities with VGM members, VGM thought leaders, industry experts, and exhibitors, along with unforgettable entertainment. Don’t miss out on this year’s amazing events! Register for VGM Heartland Conference today. 

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