Yard Signs Available for Pickup
Welcoming Week 2026 returns to Johnson County from September 10-19, 2026, and Greater Iowa City, Inc. encourages all in our community to kick off the celebration by picking up Welcoming Week Yard Signs in limited quantities at our offices at MERGE (136 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240), as well as Iowa City Hall, Coralville Public Library and North Liberty City Hall.
Welcoming Week is an annual initiative organized by Welcoming America that brings together immigrants, refugees and long-time residents for a county-wide celebration of community connection. This year’s Welcoming Week will mark the first full year that Johnson County will celebrate its designation as a Certified Welcoming Community by Welcoming America, a distinction held by only 49 cities and counties across the U.S. Johnson County is the only Certified Welcoming Community in Iowa.
This year’s theme is “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect.” By sharing our stories with each other, we not only build connections, but also communal knowledge that grows our understanding of the diversity in our neighborhoods.
Welcoming Week events include
- September 10: Free Community Picnic on the lawn of the Coralville Public Library
- September 11: Various events including a panel at the Iowa City Public Library, and the annual Towncrest Rock the Block event
- September 12: Welcoming Week Community Gathering at the Iowa City Public Library
- September 13: Welcoming Week Intercultural Welcome Festival at Mercer Park
- September 15: Voter registration events and more at the Iowa City Public Library
- September 16: Johnson County Healthy Aging Fair at the North Liberty Community Center
- September 17: Games from around the globe at the Iowa Children’s Museum in Coralville
- September 18: An immigrant storytelling event organized by the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County
- September 19: Iowa City Latino Fest 2026 at the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall
Why Greater IC Supports Welcoming Week
Extensive data indicates that the simple message and value of “welcome” can have a powerful economic impact. Policies and cultures that welcome newcomers (such as immigrants and refugees) expand the labor force, increase consumer spending and boost entrepreneurship. Businesses thrive when they can attract and retain talented people from diverse backgrounds. Entrepreneurs succeed when they feel connected to resources and networks. Communities grow stronger when everyone can contribute their skills, ideas and perspectives. Welcoming Week provides a collaborative framework to foster community belonging.
Johnson County continues to attract students, researchers, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, creatives and innovators from around the world. Their experiences, skills and perspectives help businesses solve challenges, fuel innovation across industries and strengthen our workforce.
Welcoming Week is a strong reminder that thriving communities are built through connection, collaboration and opportunity. When people from different backgrounds feel welcomed and supported, neighborhoods become stronger, businesses become more innovative and our local economy grows more resilient. These values align closely with Greater Iowa City, Inc.’s mission to build a vibrant regional economy that benefits everyone.
We invite businesses, community organizations and residents to participate in this year’s celebration by attending an event and supporting organizations working to create inclusive communities.
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