# Event Details - **Event Name**: 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 04 Sep, 2026 at 09:00 am – Fri, 04 Sep, 2026 at 04:00 pm (-05:00) - **Event Description**: Latina entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the Midwest gather in Des Moines for learning, networking and collaboration.About this EventBuilding a business can be exciting, but it can also mean making a hundred decisions alone.Sometimes what helps most is not another article to save or webinar to watch later. It is sitting across from a woman who understands what you are trying to build, asking the question you have been carrying and hearing an honest answer from someone willing to share what she learned.That is why we created the JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit: a day for practical learning, new connections and conversations that can shape what comes next.On Friday, September 4, 2026, JEFAS® Latinas in Business Magazine and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Outreach at Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business will bring Latina entrepreneurs, business leaders and community partners together in Des Moines for the third annual summit.Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Leia BaezAward-winning author and speaker Leia Baez will present “There’s Power in Your Story: How Authenticity Can Fuel Business Growth.”This high-energy, interactive keynote will explore how the experiences that shape us can also influence the way we communicate, lead and grow a business. Through personal storytelling and guided reflection, Leia will help attendees identify the parts of their own stories that can build trust, strengthen relationships and create new opportunities.Attendees will work toward three practical outcomes:Identifying the experiences that influence their leadership and business decisions.Using authentic storytelling to build trust and stronger connections.Connecting their stories with greater visibility and new opportunities.Leia is the award-winning author of A Star for Stella: A Mother’s Journey to Overcome. Her professional background includes journalism, media relations and government communications. Her 2018 Bellevue University commencement address, in which she shared her experience of rebuilding her life during a difficult period, has received more than six million views.Two Sold-Out Summits and a New ChapterTogether, the first two JEFAS® summits welcomed more than 250 entrepreneurs and business leaders from Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and beyond. Both events sold out.What began as an idea for bringing Latina entrepreneurs into the same room has grown into a regional gathering where attendees can find practical resources, exchange ideas and begin relationships that continue after the event.This year marks a new chapter through our partnership with Drake University. The collaboration will expand the business education, resources and professional connections available to attendees while preserving the honest, welcoming environment at the heart of JEFAS®.In 2025, the JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit received the Gold José Martí Award for Outstanding Event from the National Association of Hispanic Publications, one of the country’s longest-running recognition programs honoring excellence in Hispanic media.What You’ll Find at the SummitThe Summit is designed to leave room for more than listening. Throughout the day, attendees will be able to ask questions, exchange ideas and meet entrepreneurs, professionals and organizations from across the Midwest.The 2026 program will include:Nationally and regionally recognized speakers.Educational workshops with practical business information and resources.Leadership development sessions.Opportunities to meet potential collaborators, mentors and professional connections.An exhibitor marketplace featuring businesses and community organizations.Candid stories and lessons from Latina entrepreneurs building businesses in their communities.Additional speakers, workshops and the complete schedule will be announced as details are confirmed.You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured OutMaybe you are preparing to open your first business. Maybe you have been doing this for years and are ready to grow in a different direction. You may be advancing your career, leading a nonprofit, supporting entrepreneurs in your community or carrying an idea you have not acted on yet.You do not need to own a business, arrive with a polished pitch or know exactly what your next step will be.The Summit welcomes entrepreneurs, small business owners, corporate professionals, nonprofit leaders, students, aspiring entrepreneurs, business resource providers and community partners.If you care about entrepreneurship and want to contribute to the success of Latina-owned businesses, there is a place for you in this conversation.Join Us in Des MoinesThe previous two summits sold out. Early registration is encouraged for anyone planning to join us on September 4.Bring your questions, your ideas and a willingness to introduce yourself to someone new. One conversation may lead to a resource, relationship or opportunity you could not have found alone.We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/des-moines/2026-jefas-business-excellence-summit/100001997586980432 - **Event Categories**: fitness, Business, Workshops, Art, literary-art, virtual - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 1 - **Event Highlights**: - Age Limit: all_ages - door_time: 2026-09-04T13:00:00Z - Duration: 7 hours - Location: Olmsted Center - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 116.15, max: 116.15, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Des Moines - **state**: IA - **country**: United States - **location**: Olmsted Center - **lat**: 41.6019361 - **long**: -93.65687299999999 - **full address**: Olmsted Center, 2875 University Avenue, Des Moines, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/263986831fcae866805096100fe3ce65db5f0ef87ee4af1269706666ba005e99-rimg-w1200-h800-dc180808-gmir.jpg?v=1786706229 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit being held? - **A:** 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit takes place on Fri, 04 Sep, 2026 at 09:00 am to Fri, 04 Sep, 2026 at 04:00 pm at Olmsted Center, 2875 University Avenue, Des Moines, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit? - **A:** 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit is organized by JEFAS Latinas in Business Magazine. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Des Moines, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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The magazine is a bilingual print and digital publication created for and by the Latinx community to highlight the economic contributions of Latina entrepreneurs. It can be found online and at Latinx-owned businesses across Iowa, the Quad Cities, and Nebraska." } ] } ] ```