EnsembleIQ

EnsembleIQ is a North American business intelligence company headquartered in Chicago, IL, with an additional office in Toronto, Canada. Its core mission is to deliver unique and actionable insights to professionals across the retail, retail technology, consumer goods, healthcare, and hospitality sectors. By leveraging its market expertise throughout the entire path to purchase, EnsembleIQ aims to help businesses make informed decisions, gain a competitive advantage, and foster connections within their communities.

The company provides an integrated network of media and information resources, including events, publications (print and digital), education, custom research, and marketing services. EnsembleIQ serves a broad range of professionals, from retailers and consumer goods manufacturers to technology providers and healthcare professionals, through a portfolio of brands such as Canadian Grocer, Chain Store Age, Consumer Goods Technology, Convenience Store News, Hospitality Technology, Progressive Grocer, and Pharmacy Practice + Business.

Jennifer Litterick serves as the Chief Executive Officer, leading a team that includes Ann Jadown (Chief People Officer), Jane Volland (CFO), and Derek Estey (COO). EnsembleIQ is a privately held company, backed by RFE Investment Partners. Recent activities include the expansion of Chain Store Age's retail technology coverage in March 2024 and various awards received by its publications and editors in early 2026, underscoring its position as a premier resource for business intelligence and connections.

Latest updates

NACS Show Integrates Top Women in Convenience Awards to Streamline Industry Event

Event summary

  • EnsembleIQ's Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) program is now part of the NACS Show, effective October 2026.
  • The TWIC Awards Gala and inaugural TWIC Connections luncheon will be held on October 8, 2026, during the NACS Show in Las Vegas.
  • The integration aims to resolve scheduling conflicts and enhance attendee experience by consolidating events.
  • TWIC, in its 13th year, has honored nearly 800 women in the convenience retailing industry.

The big picture

The integration of EnsembleIQ's TWIC program into the NACS Show reflects a broader trend of industry events consolidating to reduce scheduling conflicts and enhance attendee value. With the convenience retail sector generating $818 billion in sales in 2025, the move underscores the strategic importance of networking and professional development for female leaders in the industry. The collaboration between EnsembleIQ and NACS highlights the growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion within the sector.

What we're watching

Event Consolidation
Whether the integration of TWIC into the NACS Show will drive higher attendance and engagement for both programs.
Industry Representation
How the formal inclusion of TWIC in the NACS Show agenda will impact the visibility and recognition of women leaders in convenience retail.
Program Expansion
The pace at which EnsembleIQ and NACS will introduce additional TWIC-focused programming beyond the inaugural luncheon.

EnsembleIQ Editor's Award Highlights Stability in Canadian Healthcare Media

Event summary

  • Vicki Wood, Pharmacy Practice + Business Editor at EnsembleIQ, received the B2B Leadership Award from the National Media Awards Foundation.
  • Wood has led Pharmacy Practice + Business for over three decades, covering the Canadian pharmacy profession.
  • EnsembleIQ's content teams were shortlisted for 11 National Magazine Awards: B2B, including Canadian Grocer, Profession Santé, Pharmacy Practice + Business, and The Medical Post.
  • The awards recognize editorial excellence across various categories, including best feature articles and how-to guides.
  • Winners will be announced on June 5, 2026.

The big picture

Vicki Wood’s recognition underscores the importance of stable, experienced leadership in a fragmented and rapidly evolving B2B media landscape. EnsembleIQ’s focus on actionable insights and community building within niche sectors like pharmacy is a strategy designed to counter the broader decline in traditional media. The multiple award nominations across EnsembleIQ’s portfolio suggest a broader trend of consolidation and specialization within Canadian business media.

What we're watching

Talent Retention
The award highlights Wood’s talent-first leadership; EnsembleIQ will need to ensure this approach is scalable and sustainable to avoid key-person risk.
Media Consolidation
Given Wood’s experience navigating mergers and ownership changes, the long-term impact of consolidation on Canadian B2B media remains a factor to monitor.
Digital Disruption
The continued shift towards digital content and evolving consumption habits will necessitate ongoing adaptation and innovation within EnsembleIQ’s pharmacy-focused publications.

Progressive Grocer's Industry Event Wins Neal Award, Signaling Content Strategy Success

Event summary

  • Progressive Grocer’s Grocery Impact event received the 2026 Jesse H. Neal Award for Best Brand-Related Event.
  • The event, held November 4-6, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, focuses on education, collaboration, and networking for food retail leaders.
  • Grocery Impact includes the GenNext and Top Women in Grocery awards programs, marking the 20th anniversary this year.
  • Former Progressive Grocer employee Gina Acosta received the G.D. Crain Jr. Award for contributions to business media.

The big picture

The Neal Award win underscores the value of targeted, high-quality content and events in a fragmented food retail landscape. Progressive Grocer’s success demonstrates that providing a platform for industry leaders to connect and address challenges can be a significant revenue driver for EnsembleIQ. The event’s continued relevance is tied to the ongoing evolution of the grocery sector, which is facing pressures from e-commerce, changing consumer preferences, and supply chain disruptions.

What we're watching

Event Scalability
How EnsembleIQ manages the growth of Grocery Impact, particularly with the 20th anniversary of Top Women in Grocery, will be a key indicator of its long-term profitability.
Content Differentiation
Whether Progressive Grocer can maintain its position as a ‘can’t-miss’ event amidst increasing competition for industry attention and event fatigue will require ongoing innovation in programming and format.
Talent Retention
The recognition of Gina Acosta’s contributions highlights the importance of talent retention within business media; Progressive Grocer’s ability to retain and cultivate key personnel will be crucial for continued success.
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