CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center (UNI FBC) will host its fourth annual Iowa Family Business Conference on Nov. 6 at Krause Gateway Center in Des Moines. With a warm welcome from the Krause family, the UNI FBC is bringing together multigenerational families, industry experts and thought leaders to explore the power of family-owned businesses and their significant impact on the Iowa economy. 

“Celebrating family-owned businesses and their contributions to our community and economy, Krause Group looks forward to welcoming the Iowa Family Business Conference to our beautiful Krause Gateway Center this November,” said Kyle J. Krause, founder and CEO of Krause Group.

Date: November 6, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Krause Gateway Center, 1459 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Networking, cocktail hour and tours of the Krause facilities to follow scheduled events

Generational family businesses that are members of the UNI FBC will receive two complimentary tickets to this event, plus a discounted price of $75 for all additional tickets purchased. Nonmember tickets are $175. An early bird discount of $25 off of all tickets will run through Aug. 31.  

Enjoy lunch and a keynote presentation by Kevin Hancock, managing owner and chairman of Hancock Lumber in Maine. Hancock has worked at the company since 1991 and is part of the sixth generation of his family to help lead the organization.

“What if everybody on earth felt trusted, respected, valued and heard? What might change? I believe everything would change and that the place of work is the best place for this transformation to unfold,” said Hancock. “Companies and their leaders get whatever they consistently prioritize. In this talk, I will explore the benefits of making the employee experience the first priority of business. Deep levels of customer intimacy can only be achieved and attained through the employees who serve them. The employees come first and their well-being drives all other goals both at work and for humanity’s trajectory.”

Leaders of businesses of all industries and sizes will learn something at this event. In addition to Hancock, the family speaker lineup includes Mike and Cheryl Wells of Wells Blue Bunny (Wells Enterprises) and Mary Andringa and Heidi Vermeer-Quist of Vermeer Corporation. Attendees can also expect to connect with specialists in fields that support family enterprises like BrownWinick (law), Foster Group (wealth management) and RSM (tax). 

Whether you're a current or future member of a multi-generational family business, this conference is your opportunity to gain expert perspectives, expand your family business network, discover innovations and celebrate family business success. Register on the Family Business Center website. 

“Family-owned businesses are an essential part of the Iowa economy,” said Dan Beenken, director of the UNI Family Business Center. “While all privately-held firms encounter challenges, these businesses have the unique obstacle of working with their grandparents, parents, cousins and other family members. This conference is designed to address these issues in a fun and meaningful way.”

The UNI FBC was born out of a program focused on valuation, succession and transition planning. While working with companies in this space, the team recognized that a majority were family-operated. Family businesses face unique challenges during their start-up and throughout the life of the business, so the UNI FBC set out to meet a need in Iowa. Now, it is a large team that connects family leaders from all over the US. From its location in the middle of the Heartland, the UNI FBC has a large network of resources to set you up on a trajectory for success. Learn more about the center and upcoming events at unifamilybusinesscenter.com.