Register High School Students for Business Horizons 2023

April 10, 2023 | Experts Agree: Iowa's Business Climate is Improving Kendall Antle, Programs & Engagement Coordinator, ABI Foundation, kantle@iowaabi.org

Business Horizons, a program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation, invites Iowa high school students to join for the “best week of summer” July 16-20 at Drake University. 

Business Horizons enables participants to confidently forge connections between concepts learned in the classroom through real-world application. The five-day program combines hands-on, entrepreneurial experiences with team-oriented challenges to demonstrate how business and leadership skills are applicable to any career. 

In this action-packed week, students work in teams to identify a real-world problem to solve, then create and continuously refine a product or service as basis for a new business venture. At the end of the week, teams will participate in investor pitches, infomercial screenings, and a trade show in front of live judging panels. Iowa industry professionals are brought in to provide mentorship and facilitate dynamic workshops. Additional highlights include leadership development activities, local business tours, on-campus living experiences, and ‘after hours’ socializing with new friends from across the state. 

“Business Horizons is a program that gives you so many opportunities,” said 2022 participant Breckin Downey of Maquoketa Community High School. “You listen to amazing speakers, meet new people, and just have the best week of summer. It made me realize that being part of different programs like this allow me to learn about who I am and what I want to do in the future.” 

This summer signifies 40 years of Business Horizons, and since its inaugural program in 1984, more than 5,000 Iowans have taken advantage of this opportunity. Business Horizons continues to serve as an economic catalyst for Iowa’s future workforce. From forward-thinking students who are eager to set themselves apart and thrive in new situations, to those who show leadership potential but are unsure of their direction after high school: everyone has something to gain from Business Horizons. 

“The program challenged me to always be open to different perspectives,” said 2022 participant Nyalib Chambang of Storm Lake High School. “One thing everyone should know about Business Horizons is that it is an investment in shaping the future of our state’s youth.”