Iowa Quality Center upcoming events

The Principles of Excellence: Baldrige 101 (14 Apr 2026)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Today, organizations continue to experience challenges like never before: staffing shortages, inflationary pressure & economic uncertainty, managing a virtual/hybrid workforce, navigating supply chain issues, and managing through accelerating change are but a few of the many challenges facing today’s leaders. But – with the complexity of organizations – where does one start? How do you know on which areas to focus? And how to do you sustain the improvement over time?

IQC and The Performance Excellence Network is pleased to announce a powerful workshop: The Principles of Performance Excellence: Baldrige 101. The workshop will be hosted online and will be facilitated by Michael Garner of Momentum, a Minnesota-based consulting firm.

The Baldrige framework provides a systems perspective for continuous improvement and advancing performance excellence. The Baldrige “Criteria for Performance Excellence,” which reflects the “leading edge of validated management practice,” against which any organization can measure itself to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities. This workshop will walk through the Baldrige Framework, will provide examples of tools and approaches that align with Baldrige, will “connect the dots” by showing how other improvement tools complement Baldrige, and will explore best practices from other organizations on the journey to excellence.

Workshop based on the current 2026 Baldrige Criteria.

Cost is $325 for members ($650 for non-members). Discounts available for teams of 3-4 from the same organization registering at the same time ($300) as well as teams of 5+ ($275). One copy of the Baldrige “Criteria for Performance Excellence” book is included.

Explore this validated framework to help you navigate today’s challenges — surviving today and thriving tomorrow!

Facilitator Biography

Michael Garner is a native Minnesotan and was raised on a 4th generation family farm near Atwater, MN. Michael currently resides near Rochester, MN in the rural town of Kasson. Michael has an extensive background in adult education and human resource development, as well as experience and passion for continuous improvement tools and frameworks, particularly the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. With a strong skill set for training and facilitation, Michael is eager to use his talents to enhance the performance of your organization.

Michael’s experience as a trainer and adult educator spans over 25 years. During his time at the University of Minnesota studying Human Resource Development and Adult Education, Michael explored the strong links between workforce education and organizational development. As he moved forward with his career, Michael had the opportunity to combine his passion for helping others to learn with his knowledge of implementing change and improvement frameworks.

igniteEX 2026 Conference (7 May 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The region’s largest, most powerful conference focused on continuous improvement and organizational excellence!

May 7-8, 2026, Mystic Lake Conference Center

Keynotes and registration information can be found at igniteEX - Performance Excellence Network.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (1 Jun 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Are you ready to become a catalyst for change in your organization? A Six Sigma Green Belt is more than just a certification—it's a launchpad for professionals who want to drive measurable results, eliminate inefficiencies, and lead impactful projects.

Whether you're in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, or tech, Green Belts are the go-to problem solvers who blend analytical thinking with strategic execution.

Full course details here.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (22 Jun 2026)

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Whether you're in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, or tech, Green Belts are the go-to problem solvers who blend analytical thinking with strategic execution.

Full course details here.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (10 Jul 2026)

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Whether you're in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, or tech, Green Belts are the go-to problem solvers who blend analytical thinking with strategic execution.

Full course details here.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (24 Jul 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Whether you're in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, or tech, Green Belts are the go-to problem solvers who blend analytical thinking with strategic execution.

Full course details here.