CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The seventh annual Economic Diversity and Inclusion Summit will be Friday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cedar Falls. The event is hosted by Grow Cedar Valley and the University of Northern Iowa. 

The keynote address will be delivered by LaDrina Wilson, president and CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber, and CEO of Iman Consulting. Wilson was named Quad Cities Regional Business Journal’s 2022 Most Influential Leader in the Region. Her address will focus on the need for diversity at all levels for a thriving community.   

The lunchtime speaker is Arvid Osterberg, a nationally recognized expert on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible design standards and requirements. Through his years of research, teaching and mentorship, Osterberg has positioned himself as one of the foremost experts on universal design for all people and has inspired architects and designers across the nation to create more inclusive designs. He is the author of three recent books including, “We All Fall Down: Staying Vertical in a Hazardous World.” 

Breakout sessions will feature the following: 

• Mental and Physical Health — Holistic Wellness: 
• Allyship — How To Be A Strong Ally 
• Expanding DEI Within Your Company: Improving Company Engagement
• Current/Political Landscape of DEI

Breakouts will be repeated once, giving attendees the opportunity to choose two separate sessions. CEUs are pending. 

Following the summit, attendees may stay for networking with music provided by Waterloo’s own Kevin Burt who has been named one of the Top 25 unsigned blues bands in the world by the International Blues Challenge. 

“It’s exciting to think about this being the seventh year for this summit,” said Cary Darrah, president and CEO of Grow Cedar Valley. “But it’s also really encouraging to see how the community continually responds, both in terms of sponsorships and attendance. This is a much-needed opportunity for just about anyone who cares about building better workplaces and stronger communities.” 

Registration is $80, which includes lunch. Register by visiting growcedarvalley.com.

This year’s sponsors are Veridian Credit Union, TruStage, Community Bank & Trust, KWWL/7, Community Bank & Trust, Tyson, WesternHome Communities, Hawkeye Community College, Lincoln Savings Bank, Waterloo Convention Center and Greenstate Credit Union.