From the Desk of Mike Ralston

Every year in March, I write this column and focus on ABI’s annual convention. I do so again and I’ll note that the 2022 Taking Care of Business Conference, our association’s 119^th annual meeting, is only about 90 days away! Since last year’s conference had to be limited in attendance, there is perhaps even greater excitement around the 2022 event.

The ABI conference gets bigger and better each year. If you want to add value for your business, there is simply no better place for you to be than at this meeting. The 2022 edition will be the best ever, with many hundreds of people converging on Dubuque June 14-16.

Three great keynote speakers, an appearance by Governor Kim Reynolds (invited), and high-value breakout sessions will comprise just part of a fantastic program. I guarantee you'll hear inspiring remarks, learn about ways to improve your business, and even be entertained. 

Some of you come for golf. Well, conference attendees will enjoy golf at one of our state's finest private courses, Dubuque Golf and Country Club. The club has a terrific layout, a brand new tennis center, a gorgeous clubhouse, and golfers will enjoy a fabulous atmosphere.

As always, fantastic food and association programs will highlight the conference as well. But far and away the reason most folks attend, as you so often tell us, is for the very best business-networking in Iowa. You can only get that at THIS conference. You can visit with other business women and men about issues you share. You can make new sales and generate new business. And you can simply enjoy meeting our state's very best business people. All of this is found at the Taking Care of Business Conference and no place else.

If you haven't yet done so, go NOW to the conference website and finalize your plans to attend. At the site, you can register for the conference, find out about terrific hotels (one is already sold out, but other great options remain), and you can find out everything there is to know about the conference and about the Greater Dubuque region. 
Make plans to bring your leadership teams with you. On behalf of our ABI Chair Jack Hasken and our officers and conference committee members, I look forward to seeing you in Dubuque in June!