The Principal and Inc. to recognize nation's leading entrepreneurs

October 10, 2013 (Des Moines, Iowa) - In support of small business and the entrepreneurial spirit, the Principal Financial Group® is sponsoring the Inc. 500|5000 Conference for the 12th consecutive year.

Nearly 2,000 small business CEOs and entrepreneurs from across the country will gather at the 32nd annual Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony October 10-12 in Washington D.C. to network and share best practices.

"The Inc. 500|5000 Conference is the premier professional event for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. We're pleased to support the work they're doing," said Mary O'Keefe, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, The Principal. "The Principal has served small and medium business needs for more than 70 years. We look forward to meeting with the best companies in the growing business sector."

During the conference, The Principal will host Ping Fu, the main stage speaker and author of "Bend, Not Break," for a presentation and book signing. There will also be financial advisors on site to meet with participants to help them take action on their business and personal financial dreams.

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 ®) is a global investment management leader offering 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 $450.6 billion in assets under management and serves some 19.8 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. The Inc. 500|5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation.Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000 Conference, visit www.Inc.com.

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