In support of small business and the entrepreneurial spirit, the Principal Financial Group® is sponsoring the Inc. 500|5000 Conference for the 11th consecutive year.

Nearly 2,000 small business CEO's and entrepreneurs from across the country will gather at the 31st annual Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony October 3 - 5 in Phoenix, Ariz., to network and share best practices.

"We are proud to play such a visible role in the only significant event recognizing the tremendous achievements of American entrepreneurs," said Mary O'Keefe, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, The Principal. "The Principal shares in Inc.'s passion to help entrepreneurial businesses network, grow and thrive."

During the conference, The Principal will host a session, "When the Tax Code is actually our Friend!", to help attendees learn how employee stock ownership plans as well as other business and executive solutions can help save money all the while investing in and protecting their businesses. For more information, visit: http://www.principal.com/inc500/

The Inc. 500|5000 Conference is the leading forum of its kind. The Conference offers an unprecedented line-up of business experts, learning sessions, networking opportunities, and a black-tie gala to recognize the current year's Inc. 500|5000 honorees.

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 global investment management leader including retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500®, the Principal Financial Group has $367.1 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 18.2 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, 2012.

The Principal Financial Group
Joelle Kirchhoff, 515-246-4907
Kirchhoff.joelle@principal.com