The annual Los Angeles Business Conference in early September provides a good opportunity to get to know the California chapters of the Association for Corporate Growth.

Attracting 1,200 to 1,400 attendees and hosted by ACG Los Angeles, the conference is the largest chapter-hosted gig on the west coast. This year, it features former President George W. Bush and former Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) as keynote speakers.

The other Golden State chapters each offer gems of their own, including: the 101 Corridor's panels about how to find board members and how to find a board to serve on; Orange County's efforts to reach out to female dealmakers; San Diego's upcoming event on biotech deals; and San Francisco's programs aimed at nurturing tech entrepreneurs.