A new statewide publication showcasing Iowa treasures will hit the stands this fall.

The annual 200-page publication, simply titled ia, was conceived by Connie Wimer, chairwoman for Business Publications Corporation Inc., and will focus mainly of quality-of-life issues. It has been broken up into five chapters: Arts and Design; Advances, which will focus on education, technology and agriculture; Flavors, which will look at food; Destinations, which will look at both places and sites to visit as well as new hotels; and Seasons, a compilation of photos from around the state.

Wimer came up with the idea about a year ago, she said, after hearing readers talk about how proud dsm magazine made them feel to live in Des Moines. She felt it was time to spread those feelings statewide and started to put together a business plan for ia.

The company has hired Gary McKay, who worked with Meredith Corp. for 17 years, to be the publication’s editor.

State Economic Development Director Debi Durham and Gov. Terry Branstad are publicly endorsing ia, which Wimer said is important since Business Publications and dsm are little-known outside of Central Iowa.

Wimer said 18,000 copies will be printed to distribute around the state. The release date is set for late September.

“We know it will only succeed if it’s absolutely stunning and beautiful, and it’s full of great articles and beautiful photographs,” she said.

Wimer also said she has hopes to eventually turn the publication into a quarterly product.