The Business Owner Summer Summit—known simply as BOSS—was created with one clear goal: to support and empower Iowa’s small and mid-sized business owners. Set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Panorama, BOSS 2025 is more than just a conference; it’s a catalyst for connection, strategy, and transformation.
But who exactly is this event for? Who do we hope will join us in Panora on June 5–6? And what kind of experience can they expect?
In this article, we’ll break down exactly who we designed BOSS for—and why you (or someone you know) should be there.
The Heart of BOSS: Small and Mid-Sized Business Owners
At its core, BOSS 2025 is built for business owners who are still in the trenches—leading teams, signing paychecks, making sales calls, and figuring things out one day at a time. We’re talking about:
- Independent business owners
- Family-run operations
- Growth-stage entrepreneurs
- Multi-location owners
- Business partners and co-founders
- Solo founders with a small team
These are the people who often wear five hats in one day—HR, sales, customer service, strategy, and community engagement. They don’t always have the time or resources to attend massive national conferences. But they’re hungry for ideas, connection, and clarity, and they care deeply about the people who work for them.
If that sounds like you, then you’re the reason BOSS exists.
Leaders Struggling with Retention, Culture, and Talent
This year’s summit theme is focused on retention—not just recruiting talent, but actually keeping the good people you already have.
If your business has experienced:
- High turnover
- Difficulty finding or keeping skilled employees
- A disconnect between leadership and staff
- Team burnout or disengagement
- A desire to build a more meaningful, positive workplace culture
…then you’ll find actionable solutions, fresh ideas, and proven strategies at BOSS 2025.
You’ll hear from keynote speakers like:
- Jamie Pollard, Iowa State’s Athletic Director, on retaining top performers in high-stakes environments
- Drew Harden, CEO of Blue Compass, on crafting a company culture that makes Mondays feel like Fridays
- Sinikka Waugh, leadership and change expert, on empowering your best employees to be your “change makers”
And many more.
Community-Minded Employers
BOSS 2025 is also designed for business owners who see their company as more than just a profit engine. They see their business as part of a community, a source of jobs, and a contributor to the local economy.
Whether you run a business in:
- Rural Iowa
- A growing regional hub like Panora, Carroll, or Indianola
- A suburban area near Des Moines or Omaha
…we built this event with you in mind. Because we believe that when small businesses grow, communities thrive.
Those Responsible for People—Not Just Products
This event isn’t about inventory, digital marketing, or tech tools (although those things may come up). It’s about people. Because the biggest challenge most business owners face today isn’t product development or even profit margins—it’s people.
BOSS is especially valuable for:
- Employers who are ready to offer benefits that matter
- Leaders who want to improve communication, engagement, and loyalty
- Owners who are exploring ESOPs, executive compensation strategies, or financial wellness programs
- Founders who are tired of turnover and ready to invest in long-term team-building
Leaders Who Want Real Conversations—Not Just Buzzwords
Let’s be honest: a lot of business conferences are packed with jargon and surface-level inspiration. BOSS 2025 is different.
We’re creating space for real conversations—the kind that happen between sessions, over a drink at the tiki bar, or while walking along Lake Panorama. Our speaker lineup is practical, Iowa-based, and experience-driven. These are business owners, subject matter experts, and community leaders who know what it’s like to make payroll, to lose a great employee, or to question if they’re doing it right.
If you’re craving depth, authenticity, and real answers, you’ll feel right at home at BOSS.
Partners, Managers, and Key Employees Welcome Too
While BOSS is geared toward business owners, it’s also a great fit for:
- Senior leadership team members
- HR managers and benefits coordinators
- Operations and finance directors
- Spouses or partners who help run the business behind the scenes
If you’re helping to build, grow, or lead a business, you’ll walk away from BOSS with actionable insights you can implement immediately.
Who BOSS Is NOT For
To help clarify, BOSS may not be the right fit for:
- Startups in their earliest idea-stage without any customers or employees
- Corporate teams from large national companies
- Businesses not yet interested in team building, leadership, or culture
- Professionals looking only for networking with enterprise-level companies
We’re not trying to be everything for everyone. We’re laser-focused on supporting small and midsize Iowa businesses with real teams, real challenges, and real ambition.
Join Us at BOSS 2025
If you’ve read this far and thought, “Yes—this is me,” then we can’t wait to meet you.
Join us June 5–6 at The Port on Lake Panorama for two days of learning, connection, and real growth. Whether you’ve been in business 2 years or 20, whether you lead 5 people or 50, you’ll leave this event with fresh perspective, a stronger network, and a clear plan for how to build a better business.
We’ll save you a seat.
📅 Register now using the link at the top of the page.