For one hundred years, IGA has stood for something simple but powerful — the idea that independent grocers, working together, can compete with anyone. That idea is what built a network of thousands of stores across the globe, and it's what will bring hundreds of members to Atlanta this September to celebrate a century of proving it true.
Over three days, IGA members from around the world will gather for education, connection, and celebration. But everything builds toward one final night: the IGA Centennial Awards of Excellence Gala, held at the Georgia Aquarium on September 19. It's the culmination of the entire Rally — a night dedicated to the retailers and partners who've carried the IGA name forward, from the U.S. to markets across the globe.
If there's one detail that makes this year's Gala unlike any other, it's the setting. The Georgia Aquarium isn't just one of the largest aquariums in the world, it's one of the most unforgettable backdrops IGA has ever chosen for a night of celebration.
It's equal parts elegant and awe-inspiring; it's the kind of venue that turns an awards dinner into something guests will be talking about for years.
Dress for the occasion: the evening is black tie optional, so come ready to celebrate in style. What does that mean? Traditionally, a tuxedo or dark suit with bow tie or necktie; or a floor-length gown, formal midi dress, or pantsuit in a dark tone.
A hundred years of independent grocery deserves a celebration that feels just as extraordinary.
IGA's global reach is one of its defining strengths, and this year's Gala reflects just that. Retailers of the Year will be recognized from IGA markets around the world — including the Caribbean, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and more — each one honored for the way they've adapted the IGA model to their own community, culture, and customer base.
These international honorees are proof that the values behind IGA translate across borders, languages, and cultures. Recognizing them on a global stage is a reminder that this centennial isn't just an American milestone. It's a global one, built by a global community.
Nine IGA USA Retailers of the Year will take the stage this year, each recognized for outstanding performance, innovation, and leadership within their markets. These are the stores that didn't just adapt to a changing grocery landscape; they have helped define what that change should look like.
From operational excellence to the kind of customer loyalty that simply can't be bought, this year's USA honorees represent the full range of what makes an independent grocer thrive. Some will be recognized for reinventing what a grocery store can offer in remote or rural locations, while others will be honored for their role as pillars of their community — the kind of store that sponsors the local little league team, hires the high schooler down the street, and remembers every regular customer's name. They're the retailers other members look to for inspiration — and in a centennial year, being named among them carries extra weight.
Two additional honors turn the spotlight toward the partners working alongside retailers behind the scenes: the Red Oval Service Provider of the Year and the Red Oval CPG of the Year.
These awards matter because independent grocery has never been a solo effort. Behind every thriving IGA store is a network of vendors, suppliers, and service providers who show up with reliability, innovation, and a genuine investment in helping retailers succeed. Whether it's a CPG partner developing products tailored to independent retailers' needs, or a service provider solving operational challenges most shoppers never see, these honorees represent the infrastructure of independence itself.
Beyond the performance-based categories, the Gala also carries forward some of IGA's most meaningful recognitions that speak to the character of our members and partners.
A hundred years in, these awards are proof that "independent" was never meant to mean "alone." Every name called on stage at the Georgia Aquarium represents a store, a community, and a piece of IGA's history, and every one of them is helping write what comes next.
This isn't just an awards show. It's the final chapter of a three-day reunion, a milestone a century in the making, and a tribute to the grocers who built IGA, all rolled into one unforgettable night. Whether you're hoping to see your own store recognized, cheering on a fellow member, looking for inspiration and ideas from the best of the best, or simply want to be in the room when a hundred years of independent grocery comes full circle, this is a night worth witnessing firsthand.
Registration is open now at iga100.vfairs.com.