The Principal Financial Group Celebrates Success of Small Business, Sponsors Inc. 500|5000 Conference

Inc. 500|5000 Conference Attracts Top Talent and Sponsors

DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In support of small business and entrepreneurial achievement, the Principal Financial Group^® is sponsoring the Inc. 500|5000 Conference. Nearly 2,000 of the nation's most successful small business CEOs and entrepreneurs will meet at the 30th annual Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony September 22-24 at the Gaylord National hotel and conference center in Washington, DC. This is the ninth year that The Principal^® has served as a major sponsor of this leading forum.

“If you want an inside look at which companies are creating new jobs and helping Americans plan for their future dreams, look no further than the Inc. 500”

“If you want an inside look at which companies are creating new jobs and helping Americans plan for their future dreams, look no further than the Inc. 500,” said Mary O’Keefe, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, The Principal. “We’re proud to support Inc. magazine as they honor the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Congratulations to all Inc. 500|5000 winners as they continue to develop best practices in business and positively impact our economy.”

U.S. small business owners plan to add nearly 3.8 million jobs this year, possibly reducing the U.S unemployment rate by 2.4 percentage points, according to the latest Small Business Success Index. The study was recently released by the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and partner Network Solutions. “As small businesses continue to be the economic engine for our nation, support from leading organizations like The Principal is vital,” says Inc. president Bob LaPointe.

During the three-day Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony, small business CEOs and entrepreneurs will gain the latest developments and best practices in business through an unprecedented line-up of keynote speakers and business experts, learning sessions, and networking opportunities. The event also includes a black-tie gala to recognize the current year’s Inc. 500|5000 honorees.

Inc. 500|5000 Conference
During the conference, The Principal will showcase ways they can help business innovators see their financial dreams more clearly and reach them, through a full range of solutions that include investments and retirement solutions, as well as life and disability insurance. Additionally, The Principal will sponsor the keynote address of Patrick Lencioni, who will talk about building a healthy organization on Friday morning, September 23.

For more details on conference sessions and to register, visit www.Inc5000conference.com.

For more news and insights from The Principal, connect with us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ThePrincipal.

About the Principal Financial Group
The Principal Financial Group^® (The Principal ^®)¹ is a retirement and global asset management leader. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, investment services and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the FORTUNE 500^®, the Principal Financial Group has $335.8 billion in assets under management² and serves some 16.5 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

About Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000
Inc., the only major business magazine focused exclusively for CEOs of fast-growing, private companies, delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Inc. provides hands-on resources and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. The publication also looks beyond work to address the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Inc. inspires and informs, with cutting-edge coverage that reflects our readers' energy, brashness, and imagination.

The Inc. 500|5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success.

The Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that brings the nation’s brightest, most successful business minds together to celebrate their remarkable achievements. In addition to an awards ceremony, the event offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions.

For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000 Conference, visit www.Inc.com.

¹ “The Principal Financial Group” and “The Principal” are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

² As of June 30, 2011.