From Humble Beginnings to Host City
18 years ago, Blair Wagner, PCC, set out on a mission to build local community and elevate the field of professional coaching. Little did she know at the time, but that spark of passion and courage would eventually unite and inspire coaches across the entire state of Iowa.
What began as the ICF Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois Chapter in 2007 became the ICF Iowa Chapter in 2010-2011, serving as the professional home for coaches statewide. As chapter membership grew, so did the credibility of our field and the community we share today.
In the years since Blair founded our chapter, the coaching profession has exploded on the global stage. ICF, the world leader in coaching, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Its impact has grown substantially, now supporting 143 chapters that serve over 58,000 members in 154 countries and territories. Our chapter is part of that momentum.
This September, coaches from across our region will gather in Des Moines for the Midwest Coaches Conference. This is a proud moment for our chapter and a historic one for all coaches in Iowa. It is a time to celebrate our progress and the relationships that define who we are as a chapter.
I’m pleased to inform you that a quarter of our current membership has committed to attending this event. There is no better place to experience the heart of our chapter than in person, sharing our love of coaching with our extended coach community.
If you aren’t able to attend the conference this year, we have plenty of opportunities to engage, learn, and grow with us. Join us at our next chapter meeting on May 12, featuring our very own Dorene MacVey, PCC, CPC, to learn about the Six Mindsets for a Thriving Coaching Business.
Cheers to our continued growth as a chapter. Thank you for being part of this. The future we are building together is a bright one.
Chris King
2026 President, ICF Iowa Chapter