The University of Northern Iowa’s Advance Iowa is set to host the first Employee Ownership Conference on May 11 at the DMACC campus in Newton, with keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg. The conference aims to explore the benefits of employee ownership for all stakeholders, including business owners, employees and communities. The shared equity model is gaining momentum across the U.S., with employee ownership offering a viable option to keep local business doors open across Iowa. Registration is open now, with individual tickets costing $100 and group registration discounts available. Advance Iowa is a program that provides targeted services to guide small and midsize enterprises as they grow.