2016 ABI Legislative Events Just Two Months Away - Monday Memo 11/16/15

November 16, 2015

ABI Legislative Briefing, Reception January 13

Mark your calendars now for one of ABI’s most popular, and most important, events of the year.  The annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Embassy Suites on the River in downtown Des Moines.  Over 500 members and legislators attend this event each year. 

Because of your participation, this event draws more Iowa legislators (of both parties) than any similar event hosted by other organizations.  Your local legislators enjoy this event and appreciate the opportunity to visit with you and your fellow Iowa business leaders in a relaxed and informal setting.  As always, all 150 legislators and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds have been invited to join you at the reception. 

Immediately prior to the event, the annual legislative briefing will be held.  This event will provide you with the very latest in legislative news and information about ABI issues.  You can find more information and register NOW by going to http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-385f50e9e00448858051fbe8a55ce00b.aspx. By the way, as always, this event is being held the same day as the January meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.  On behalf of ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown), I look forward to seeing you in Des Moines on January 13.

Jessica Harder Starts Today

As you will recall from an announcement in the Monday Memo of a couple of weeks ago, ABI's public policy team will expand again.  Starting today, Jessica Harder will join ABI as Director, Public Policy. 

Jessica, an attorney, has extensive lobbying and governmental affairs experience.  She has most recently headed her own multi-client lobbying firm, was a part of ABI-member Davis Brown Law Firm prior to that, and was on the staff at the Iowa League of Cities previously.  Jessica has a strong background in environmental policy and law and a large network of legislative relationships.

Jessica joins ABI Vice Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain and Public Policy Counsel Myron Linn, who will join ABI in January, as a part of the award-winning ABI public policy team.  We are pleased  to have Jessica and Myron on board.  Welcome, Jessica!

Executive Committee Meets, Will Hold December Teleconference

Members of the ABI Executive Committee met prior to last week’s board meeting.  The committee will convene again for the final teleconference of the year at 9:30 a.m. on December 8.  The December meeting is typically one of the association’s briefest.  As always, look for a full report on all issues at the next meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.

Advisory Council to Meet Thursday

The ABI Advisory Council will meet Thursday in Des Moines.  This will mark the panel's final business meeting of 2015.

Thank you to ABI Advisory Council members ATW Training Solutions, BCC Advisers, BerganKDV, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Focus OneSource, Global Reach, Manpower, Measured Intentions, LMC, Principal Financial Group, QPS Employment Group, Spindustry, Transition Point Business Advisors, and Wellmark  for your leadership and support!

Tomorrow: IIPAC Event at Tassel Ridge

The Iowa Industry Political Action Committee is ABI's political arm.  IIPAC will host a new event, a high-level, high-value reception and dinner, tomorrow.  As noted last week, the event will take place at ABI-member Tassel Ridge Winery near Leighton.  The winery is owned by former ABI Chair Bob Wersen (Interpower Corporation, Oskaloosa)and we thank Bob for his support and leadership.  Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix and House Speaker-Elect Linda Upmeyer will provide in-depth perspectives from the Statehouse and the campaign trail for attending donors. 

For more information, reply to this memorandum.  On behalf of IIPAC Chair (and former ABI Chair) Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee), THANK YOU for your support!

Not Too Soon to Make 2016 Annual Conference Lodging Reservations; Hard rock sold out

During a report at last week's ABI Board meeting, it was noted that it is not too early to make your lodging reservation for the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference, ABI's 113th annual convention.  That event will be held June 14-16 of next year in Sioux City.

The main conference hotel is the beautiful Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  It has been announced that the Hard Rock is already sold-out.  The co-main hotel is another beautiful facility, the Stoney Creek Hotel (http://www.stoneycreekhotels.com/hotel/travel/siouxcity/home.do).   Both facilities, and other terrific nearby hotels, provide great lodging.

Remember, this conference will involve exciting, brand new venues, terrific speakers, and sessions unlike any seen before.  You will be able to register for the conference on the ABI website soon.  In the meantime, use the link above to make your lodging reservation now.

December 10 is Date of Next Connecting Statewide Leaders Event

As you have been reading in previous editions of this, memorandum, the first 2015-2016 Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held December 10 in Waverly.  This forum is the next opportunity to participate in the popular series of events ABI has hosted around Iowa over the course of the past few years.

A luncheon follows the meeting and you will have a great opportunity to visit with fellow ABI members, meet the new Leadership Iowa class, and develop new customers.  Please mark your calendar now.  Also, please register now using this link: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-8ee90de12dca4033abf381fe72be4a07.aspx

ABI Holds Last Board Meeting of Calendar Year

Last week in Des Moines, members of the ABI Board of Directors met for the final board meeting of 2015.  Terrific attendance and great discussion marked the day.  Thank you to board members and former board chairs for your participation in a great meeting.

From a visit by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, to a great luncheon, to the board meeting, the events were a resounding success and were a great way to conclude board activities for the year.  Thank you again for your participation.

Business Record Iowa in Your Mailbox; Karen Miller, Charles Sukup are Cover Models

You should have received in the mail the latest edition of ABI's Business Record Iowa, published in conjunction with member Business Publications Corporation.  BR Iowa is found inside the November 13 edition of BPC's Des Moines Business Record.

Two great ABI leaders are the cover models for the publications this month.  ABI Advisory Council Member Karen Miller (Manpower of Central Iowa, Des Moines) is on the cover of the Business Record and is featured in a cover story about jobs.  And, as I noted in last week's Memo, former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) is on the cover of this month's BR Iowa.

NAM Economic Report Cites Favorable Data

As do many of you, I look forward to receiving the Global Manufacturing Economic Update from the National Association of Manufacturers.  This publication, like all of those produced by the NAM, is a terrific source of data and information.

Last Friday's report was especially interesting, as it shared news of some positive data points related to manufacturing.  Still, headwinds are facing manufacturers as well.  If you wish to see the report, simply reply to this memo and I will get it to you at once.

Jason Gross Celebrates Birthday; Mary Andringa, Tom McMahon Also Celebrate

ABI Board Member Jason Gross (Nationwide Insurance, Des Moines) celebrated his birthday last week.  In addition, two longtime ABI leaders will celebrate birthdays this Sunday.  ABI Past Chair Mary Andringa (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and former ABI Board Member and current ABI Foundation Chair Tom McMahon (Barker Company, Keosauqua) share the day as their birthday.  ABI sends happy birthday wishes to Mary, Tom, and Jason!

Jackson Mores Named to ISU Homecoming Court; Visits Sister Chandler Mores

Iowa State University celebrated its 2015 Homecoming with a football shut-out of Texas.  That you likely already know.  What you may not know is that a member of ISU's Homecoming Court is related to an ABI leader.

Jackson Mores, son of ABI Board Member Alan Mores (Harlan Newspapers, Harlan) and wife Donna, was a member of the court.  Membership on the court is earned through college activities and by strong academics.  Congratulations to Jackson AND his parents! 

Jackson and Alan celebrated being named to the court early, by making a trip to visit Alan and Donna's daughter,Chandler.  She is a student at Stanford University in California. 

The Business of ABI: Finishing Strong

Some of us were visiting in the office the other day and comparing hectic schedules through the end of the year.  Some associations seem to taper off their activities in October and almost shut down in November and December.  That is not the case at ABI.

At ABI, we are gearing up for a strong legislative session, continued work in Foundation programming, and ongoing member events and meetings.  I am mindful of something I read in The Evangelist Marketing Minute, a publication that comes to ABI each week.  The article noted that though many organizations taper activity as the year-end approaches, the organizations that want to excel do not. 

Thanks to your leadership and support, I can assure you that ABI is not lazily drifting in to the new year.  The association is finishing 2015 strongly and pushing hard in to 2016.  Thank you again for making that the case!