BOSS event for business leaders in Panora June 5-6

Iowa business owners and community leaders are teaming up to launch the first-ever Business Owner Summer Summit, known as BOSS 2025 for short. It is a two-day event focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing small businesses today: employee retention.

Scheduled for Thursday and Friday, June 5-6 at The Port on Lake Panorama, BOSS 2025 brings together business owners, human resources professionals and community-minded entrepreneurs for two days of expert-led sessions, peer panels and lakeside networking — all designed to equip small and midsize businesses with tools to build strong teams and keep top talent.

“Small businesses across Iowa are struggling with turnover, disengagement and workforce instability,” Mitch Johnk, lead organizer of the event said. “BOSS 2025 is designed to give employers real-world strategies that go beyond flashy benefits and surface-level solutions.”

Headlining speakers

• Iowa State University Athletic Director Jamie Pollard will deliver a keynote address on how organizational culture and leadership drive retention, drawing parallels between keeping top athletes and top employees

• Blue Compass CEO and author of Retain Drew Harden will share five proven strategies for building a company culture that “makes Mondays feel like Fridays”

• Your Clear Next Step founder Sinikka Waugh will present on empowering “change makers” within organizations — those team members who help businesses thrive through transformation and uncertainty

• Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping founder Lance Farrell will close the event with a motivational session on leading through growth and scaling with retention

Additional sessions will cover executive benefit design, employee stock ownership plans, workplace financial wellness and real-world insights from a panel of Iowa business owners who have faced retention struggles firsthand.

Not just a conference — an experience

Attendees will enjoy more than just business insights, BOSS 2025 includes lunch and happy hour networking, a live music social at Twin Vines Winery and optional “stay-and-play” activities Friday like golf, lake tours, shopping and lakeside yoga.

“We intentionally chose Lake Panorama as the venue because it allows people to relax, connect and think differently about how they lead their businesses,” Panorama Benefits operations manager Ellen Betzer said.

How to attend

The event is open to business owners, HR professionals and organizational leaders from across Iowa. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited to 125 attendees.

Registration and full schedule details are available at https://bossiowa.com.