Exhibitors and Sponsors

The Iowa Mental Health Counseling Association (IMHCA) is dedicated to meeting the professional needs of all mental health counselors in Iowa in an intentionally inclusive manner. IMHCA would like to invite you to join a growing community of mental health counselors making an impact on the lives of Iowans and surrounding state at the 2026 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa through being a sponsor or exhibitor for our annual conference.

Join us for the premier mental health continuing education event of the year.

Contents:

Introduction

The Iowa Mental Health Counseling Association (IMHCA) proudly marks its 20th year of hosting impactful conferences and over 24 years as a professional membership organization. We are dedicated to advancing the mental health counseling profession. We also play a crucial role in progressing mental health services across Iowa through collaborative work with Marriage and Family Counselors, Licensed Social Workers and other professionals working in mental health services. All providers are welcome to our conference.

Licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) in Iowa play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders, supporting clients through challenging life experiences, and fostering overall wellness. The IMHCA Annual Conference stands as the premier event for exchanging ideas, addressing challenges, and exploring solutions relevant to licensed counseling professionals and the communities they serve. Our sessions will focus on pressing policy, research, and treatment issues affecting the profession today, offering practical insights across a broad spectrum of services provided by mental health counselors in both public and private practice. As a sponsor or exhibitor, you are invited to be partners in a successful conference — engage attendees, ask questions, and exchange ideas. Meet over 300 professionals in mental health counseling in high traffic exhibitor and sponsorship areas, and multiple networking breaks. At IMHCA, whether a sponsor, exhibitor, or both, you are an integral partner in our mission and a vital presence in this important conversation. Help us give our attendees an opportunity to remember you and to know that your company supports them.

Essential Conference Information

Sheraton West Des Moines (A Marriott Hotel)

Address: 1800 50th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266 | Phone:  (515) 223-1800

Accommodations

The Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel (1800 50th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50266) is offering an IMHCA conference room rate for all attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors at $137 +tax for a standard room. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first served basis. We recommend booking as soon as possible to ensure you are able to get the room rates. Rooms are available, book online here. Rates are for King rooms with sleeper sofas or two queen rooms. Parking is included. Room rates end April 5, 2026.

Book your room.

2026 Conference Schedule

Day 1 – Wednesday May 6, 2026 (Preconference – Virtual Only)

5:30 pm – 8:45 pm (3 CEs)

Day 2 – Thursday May 7, 2026 (Hybrid)

7:15 am – 8:15 am Registration

8:15 am – 8:30 am Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:30 am – 10:00 am Breakout Session #1

10:00 am – 10:30 am Morning Break

10:30 am – 12:00 pm Breakout Session #2

12:00 pm- 1:15 pm Lunch and IMHCA Board Meeting

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm Breakout Session #3

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm Afternoon Break and snack

3:15 pm – 4:45 pm Breakout Session #4

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Networking & Awards Event

Day 3 – Friday May 8, 2025 (Hybrid)

7:30 am – 8:30 am Registration

8:00 am – 8:30 am Legislative update

8:30 am – 8:45 am Welcome and opening remarks

8:45 am – 12:00 pm Keynote Speaker (15-min break) Session #5

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch Break

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Breakout Session #6

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Afternoon Break and snack

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Breakout Session #7

Exhibitor Options

As an exhibitor you will be given one draped 6’ table, two chairs, two exhibit personnel badges, a Virtual Expo Hall space, and listing for incentivized interaction with attendees. Your rate will also cover breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages for up to two people per day. We have water, coffee, and tea stations that are available to all exhibitors.

Conference Attendees are encouraged and incentivized to visit the Exhibitor Hall in person or through the Virtual Expo Hall multiple times throughout each day with built in breaks and announcements for reminders. Incentivized interaction will be managed by the Conference Committee. Additional incentivization is optional for exhibitors to provide (i.e. prizes from a drawing at your table).

Rates:

Rates for exhibiting are $500/table for two days or $300/table for one day.

Space Selection: 

Exhibitor tables will be assigned by the Conference Committee with preference input from exhibitors. Priority will be given to sponsors and returning exhibitors through March 31, 2026.

After this date, assignments will be on a first-come, first served basis, in the order that both application and payment are received. Most exhibitors will be in the Atrium “Party Deck” in the map. –>

As an exhibitor you will be choosing from the numbered tables above. You will be asked in your application to select your top three choices. There is great flow throughout the space and we will also consider the additional needs of the exhibitor when selecting placement. IMHCA reserves the right to adjust the space assignments any time before the event. 

As an exhibitor, you will be provided with a space in the Virtual Expo Hall in addition to the in-person exhibit. IMHCA uses Zoom Events to highlight your business. 

Apply to EXHIBIT

Sponsorship Options

All 2026 IMHCA Conference Sponsors are recognized on the IMHCA Conference website, social media, and throughout the event. Priority recognition is given to our package sponsors, by level of sponsorship. Conference sponsorships complement and enhance your presence at IMHCA’s Annual Conference and Exhibits. These sponsorships offer a high-impact opportunity for you to raise your visibility with this network of mental health counselors who reach thousands of patients, clients, and students each year.

Below are various sponsorship levels with benefits. Please note that sponsoring individual events will be combined to determine overall sponsorship level (i.e.—If an organization sponsors a session for $500 and a commercial for $250, for a total of $750, the organization would be recognized as a Bronze Sponsor.)

Space Selection for Sponsors:

Sponsors who have purchased any of the above packages have first choice in their placement. They can choose from the high-traffic area in the pre-convention space or the atrium with other exhibitors. Premiere and Platinum Sponsors will have two tables and will select accordingly.

As a sponsor you will be choosing from the numbered tables below. You will be asked in your application to select your top three choices.

There is great flow throughout the space and we will also consider the additional needs of the sponsor when selecting placement. IMHCA reserves the right to adjust the space assignments any time before the event. 

As a sponsor you will be provided opportunities to interact with virtual and in-person attendees through our Virtual platform. IMHCA uses Zoom Events to highlight your business. IMHCA will ensure you have all the information you need to tend to our audiences.

Sponsor Packages:

Premier Sponsor $10,000

  • All Platinum Sponsor level items listed below, plus
  • Signage (welcome signs) at the conference and throughout Zoom Events
  • Company will receive premium seating in the main ballroom for the conference
  • Logo included in all printed and virtual material
  • Upgrade to Lunch Sponsor
  • Upgrade to four session sponsorships (see below for more details)
  • Upgrade to 8 registrations for the conference including food and beverages for two days

Platinum Sponsor $3000

  • 2 tables in the Exhibit Hall and space in the Virtual Expo Hall
  • Select up to two available session sponsorships (see below for more details)
  • Logo, website link, and link to a 30-second promotional video (self-produced; see below for more details) on IMHCA Conference website and social media
  • Breakfast Sponsor
  • 2 registrations for the conference including food and beverages for two days
  • Recognized sponsor of one attendee—select one applicant to attend the full conference.

Gold Sponsor $2500

  • 2 tables in the Exhibit Hall and space in the Virtual Expo Hall
  • Choice of one available session sponsorship (see below for more details)
  • Logo and website link on IMHCA Conference website and social media
  • 2 registrations for the conference including food and beverages for two days

Silver Sponsor $1500

  • 1 table in the Exhibit Hall and space in the Virtual Expo Hall
  • Choice of one available session sponsorship (see below for more details)
  • Logo and website link on IMHCA Conference website and social media
  • 1 registration for the conference including food and beverages for two days

Bronze Sponsor $750

  • 1 table in the Exhibit Hall and space in the Virtual Expo Hall
  • Logo and website link on IMHCA Conference website and social media
  • 1 registration for the conference including food and beverages for two days
  • Sponsor’s name and logo on-screen at the opening of an available session of your choice

Additional Sponsorship Opportunities – Ala Carte:

Lunch Sponsor, $1500 each

Make your presence known by sponsoring a lunch on Thursday or Friday!

The sponsor receives their name and logo projected on-screen and a representative of your organization will be invited on stage to speak to the audience for up to five minutes about your organization.

Breakfast Sponsor, $500 each

During breakfast on Thursday or Friday morning, the sponsor receives the following:

Signage at breakfast will include name and the logo of the sponsoring organization. Get creative and customize coffee sleeves for an added touch! (Coffee sleeves customization is an option at the expense of the sponsor). A small table where sponsors can distribute materials to the IMHCA conference attendees will be provided upon request.

Session Sponsor, $500 each

Make a lasting impression during the 2026 IMHCA Conference by sponsoring a breakout session. This is a great way to reach a large audience! This exclusive sponsorship includes the following benefits:

  • Sponsor’s name and logo on-screen at the opening of the session.
  • Option to introduce the speaker and/or your organization (limited to two minutes) to start the session.

30-second Promotional Video, $250

Do you have a recording that you have used for another purpose and want to use it again? Showcase your products/services through a self-produced commercial on the IMHCA website and through social media via a link to your video! This is an excellent way to bring exposure to your organization prior to and during the 2026 IMHCA Conference event!

*Please note all advertising are to be approved by IMHCA prior to the conference. To discuss additional opportunities for sponsorship or create a package, please contact Lindsay Stack at lkalvig@yahoo.com.

Apply to Sponsor

Exhibitor/Sponsor Agreement

This Contract contains the entire agreement between the exhibiting company or sponsor (“Exhibitor”) and the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA), for the Annual Conference. The conference will take place at The Sheraton West Des Moines herein after known as “Facility.”

Payment: Full payment must accompany the exhibit space application to secure a space.

Cancellation by Exhibitor: The Exhibitor specifically recognizes and acknowledges that IMHCA will sustain certain losses if the Exhibitor cancels its exhibit space. Any cancellation must be made in writing and is effective on the date received by IMHCA. IMHCA requires to be notified of cancellation in writing by 5:00pm May 1, 2026. There will be a 25% cancellation fee for all cancellations. Email cancellations should be sent to lkalvig@yahoo.com. No refunds will be given after May 1, 2026. Payments will not be transferred to future conferences.

Termination by IMHCA: IMHCA reserves the right to deny any exhibitor or sponsor any of the privileges conferred under this Contract, including, but not limited to denying the assigned exhibit space and IMHCA shall remain entitled to all exhibit fees, if: (a) Exhibitor has any outstanding amounts owed to IMHCA, for any product or service; (b) the exhibitor violates any of the other terms or conditions of this Contract; or (c) in IMHCA’s sole opinion, the exhibit must be closed for the safety and comfort of convention attendees.

Eligible Exhibits: IMHCA reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any company or product to participate in the show. IMHCA can refuse to rent exhibit space to a company, terminate this contract if already executed or close an exhibit display that in IMHCA’s sole judgment is not compatible with or complementary to the show and the industry which IMHCA serves. In the event of such termination, IMHCA shall refund, in full, all payments, including deposits, which it may have received from the exhibitor.

Allocation of Space: IMHCA may from time-to-time establish programs establishing criteria under which exhibition space will be allocated to exhibitors. IMHCA reserves the absolute right to modify the program, change the criteria or allocate exhibition space on any basis at its sole discretion. IMHCA reserves the right to reconfigure the floor plan or to change location assignments at any time, as it may at its sole discretion deem necessary.

Waiver of Claims: Exhibitor agrees to make no claim arising in tort of any nature whatsoever and shall indemnify and hold IMHCA and Facility and their officers, directors, employees, and agents, harmless from and against any and all claims, penalties, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses whatsoever, including attorney’s fees and costs, arising out of the exhibitor’s participation in the show, except where such claims are directly attributable to gross negligence of IMHCA, the Facility or of their respective officers, directors, employees, or agents acting within the scope of their duties. Exhibitor waives its right to recover consequential and punitive damages whether arising under tort, contract or under any other theory of liability whatsoever.

Exhibitor Insurance: The Exhibitor shall, at its sole cost and expense, procure and maintain comprehensive general liability and property insurance for any claims arising from or occurring during the Exhibitor’s participation in the show. Workers Compensation and any other insurance or required licenses shall be in full compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, covering all of Exhibitor’s employees or independent contractors engaged in the performance of any work for the Exhibitor. All property of the Exhibitor is understood to remain in its custody and control in transit to and from the confines of the exhibit hall. Exhibitor hereby agrees to waive the right to subrogation by its insurance carriers to recover losses sustained under its insurance contract for real and personal property.

Exhibitor Property: Exhibitors are responsible for the security of their exhibit and its contents. Neither IMHCA nor Facility is responsible for the security of exhibitors’ property. The Exhibitor acknowledges that neither IMHCA nor Facility maintain insurance covering the Exhibitor’s property.

Accessibility: Exhibitor shall have sole responsibility for ensuring that its exhibit is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and any regulations under the ADA as well as any state or local laws, ordinances, or regulations covering the issue of accessibility.

Height Restrictions: The height restriction of 12 feet applies to all portions of your booth.

Installation: Exhibit displays must be set up and ready by the date and time specified in the schedule. IMHCA reserves the right to reassign any exhibit space that is not setup by the specified deadline. In the event of such reassignment, IMHCA shall retain any and all payments and/ or deposits. IMHCA has the right to resell the space and retain all revenue collected.

Admittance During Non-Show Hours: IMHCA has the right to deny after-hours entry or limit such entry to any Exhibitor its sole discretion.

Badges: Badges will be always required for entry into the exhibit hall. Business cards or other similar identification are not acceptable substitutes for official conference badges and may not be used as such. IMHCA has the right to limit the number of exhibitor representatives present in any exhibit space and shall have the right to limit the number of exhibitor credentials that may be included with the cost of each booth.

Show Attendees: General admission to the exhibition will be available to all duly registered attendees at least 18 years of age. IMHCA makes reasonable attempts to attract quality attendees to its conference but does not guarantee specific volumes of traffic or levels of qualification. Traffic by any given booth is a function of that particular exhibit and not the responsibility of IMHCA.

Character of Exhibits: Exhibitors are expected to “be good neighbors.” No exhibit may interfere with any other exhibit, impede access to them or impede the free use of the aisle. Booth personnel are required to confine their activities to within the exhibitor’s booth space.

(a) Attire and Conduct. Representatives should dress and conduct themselves appropriately and consistent with the professional and business-like purpose and climate of the    conference.

(b) Sound and Video. Video presentations relating to exhibitor’s products or services will be permitted if presentation equipment is set back from all aisles and all viewers can be accommodated within the booth and not in the aisle. Sound should not be objectionably audible in the aisles or neighboring booths. Sound systems will be permitted if set to a conversational level and if not objectionable to neighboring exhibitors.

(c) Booth Exteriors. Any portion of a display that faces an aisle or another exhibitor’s booth must be suitably decorated.

(d) Gifts. Gifts, prizes, products, or services distributed to attendees from an exhibitor’s booth should be consistent with the professional nature of the conference. IMHCA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to    prohibit the distribution of any items it deems    inappropriate.

(e) Smoking. No smoking shall be permitted in the exhibit hall.

(f) Positioning Equipment in Relation to Aisle. To ensure the safety of all show participants, machinery and equipment shall be positioned so that no portion is less than 12 inches from any aisle.

Food Service: All arrangements for food and beverage service must be made through the Facility.

Failure to Hold the Conference: Should fire, hurricane, earthquake, flood, strikes, civil disturbance, Acts of God, Acts of Terrorism, political or social boycott, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the Facility or IMHCA make it impossible, impractical or inadvisable to hold the show at the scheduled time, IMHCA may retain only such part of the Exhibitor’s rental fees as shall be required to compensate it for reasonable expenses incurred up to the time of such cancellation. All remaining rental fees shall be refunded.

Interpretation and Enforcement: IMHCA has full power to interpret and enforce all regulations of the show and the power to make amendments and/or further regulations, orally or in writing, that are considered necessary for the proper conduct of the show. Such decisions are binding on Exhibitor. Failure to comply with these or any other regulations or amendments will beat the expense of the Exhibitor.

Applicable Laws: Exhibitor agrees that in all aspects of its activities, including the activities of its owners, officers, employees or agents, it will abide by all rules, regulations and requirements of IMHCA and the Facility, and the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of the City of Des Moines, and the state Iowa as may be in effect including, but not limited to, copyright, trademark, and patent laws and shall not violate the statutory or common law rights of any person. Exhibitor agrees to comply and to be bound by all terms and conditions set forth in the agreement between IMHCA and the Facility.

Arbitration: Except as specifically provided for in this paragraph, the parties agree that any dispute in any way arising out of or relating to this contract which cannot be resolved between the parties, will be submitted to arbitration. The only claims that shall not be arbitral in accordance with this paragraph shall be claims where IMHCA is asserting a right to indemnification or contribution against Exhibitor in a court action brought by a third party.

Acceptance: This contract shall be deemed accepted upon submission of the Exhibit/Sponsor Space Application.

Severability: In the event any term of this contract is held invalid or unenforceable, the term shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted under law and all other terms of this contract shall remain in full force and effect.


By completing your exhibitor/sponsor application, I/we agree to these terms.