Drumroll please…
The Seed World Global Impact Award 2025 for Best Event across the entire global seed sector has been awarded to the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA). Presented to the visible surprise of IPSA CEO Todd Martin during IPSA 2026 in Indianapolis, the award recognizes the IPSA Conference’s influence, strong member engagement and its role in shaping the future of the independent seed sector. The announcement celebrated IPSA’s ability to bring the independent seed sector together in ways that are practical, engaging, and globally relevant.
Shawn Brook paused the 2026 IPSA conference program to deliver the news and present the award(check out the video above).
“I wanted to interrupt for a minute because I and Seed World travel to every seed event that happens around the world,” Brook said during the presentation. “Each year, the Seed World team recognizes one of these events with a Global Impact Award for best event. This year, I’m very pleased to tell you that IPSA 2025 (and let me say that IPSA 2026 was even better) wins that award. So congratulations to you, to your team and to your members.”
IPSA CEO Todd Martin was visibly moved by the announcement.
“It’s a great honor. Thank you very much. I’m kind of speechless… and I think all of you know that doesn’t happen very often,” Martin said.
He was quick to credit the IPSA team, singling out Catherine Frans for her role in shaping the meeting. “If I didn’t have my partner in crime, Catherine Frans, here, none of this would be possible. I hope everybody here understands how much Catherine contributes to the success of this meeting.”
Brook said IPSA has become a model for what effective industry events should deliver. “IPSA has become a benchmark for how associations can drive global impact through relevance, credibility, and community. The conversations that happened in Palm Springs last January helped shaped how the independent seed sector competes, innovates, and speaks with a unified voice,” he said.
Presented on the IPSA 2026 stage in Indianapolis, the Seed World Global Impact Award serves not only as recognition of past success, but as validation of IPSA’s role on the seed industry stage. As the independent seed sector faces increasing complexity, IPSA’s ability to convene, educate, and unify its members continues to resonate far beyond its January conference week.
