ABI Exec Comm to Meet - Monday Memo 2/6/17
February 6, 2017
Executive Committee Meets Wednesday for Statehouse Meetings; Board Meets March 14
The ABI Executive Committee will hold its regular February meeting this Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Following that meeting, ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) and members of the committee will head to the Statehouse for meetings with legislative leaders and other state officials. Look for a full report on the EC meetings at the March board meeting.
Speaking of the ABI Board of Directors, that meeting will be held at ABI on March 14. You may register for that meeting here http://www.cvent.com/d/yvq6jf. That day will see a full day of ABI meetings and events, as the annual Day on the Hill program and other events will also take place then.
2017 Iowa Business Day on the Hill March 14
During the first quarter of the year, much of ABI's work focuses on public policy and the Iowa General Assembly. A few years ago, following on the exploding success of the annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, ABI created the annual ABI Day on the Hill. The event capitalizes on members’ wishes to get even more involved in ABI’s public policy work.
This event gives ABI members an opportunity to get the very latest news from the Capitol in the heat of legislative activity. Members are taken by private coach to the Capitol to meet with and hear from key state officials, legislative leaders, and their legislators. The event has grown bigger and better each year and this year's event will again be conducted in partnership with the Iowa Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business. A third ABI partner, the Iowa Chamber Alliance, will also be participating this year.
Day on the Hill 2017 is being held Tuesday, March 14. The program begins with registration that morning at the ABI office near the State Capitol. Following a report on legislative news and updates on related issues, and including other information, DOTH participants will head to the Capitol for meetings with legislators. Register now at http://www.cvent.com/events/iowa-business-day-on-the-hill-2017/event-summary-987f9de27d714ea290dad8dedcf691b9.aspx.
Business day on the Hill will be preceded by a reception the evening prior. Watch for more information soon about this event. By the way, March 14 is also the day of the March meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. Thanks in advance for your participation in these important meetings.
Legislative Update Teleconference Friday
Periodically throughout the legislative session, ABI lobbyists Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain, Director Public Policy Jessica Harder, and Coordinator Public Policy Brad Hartkopf host a teleconference to give you the very latest information from the Statehouse. Updates on bills, legislative proposals, state actions, and other matters are covered in each call. Your specific questions about those topics are also very much welcomed.
The next call will be held this Friday, February 10th at 8:00 a.m. and you and your employees are encouraged to participate. The call is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register at https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/48-abi-legislative-update-teleconference-members-only/.
Register Now for March 2 Connecting Leaders Sessions at Kinnick Stadium
More in the series of Connecting Leaders Forums are ahead. Please click on this link for more information or to register: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-807a18b08352495697a6aa16074b3c42.aspx.
Your won't want to miss this event. For one thing, it will be held in the beautiful McCord Indoor Club at Kinnick Stadium. For another, the program is terrific. Click on the link above and we'll see you in Iowa City next month.
ABI Workers Compensation Seminar March 30
The association will host its biennial Workers Compensation Seminar late next month. This is the place to find the latest information about work comp (which may be addressed by the Iowa General Assembly) and to learn the best practices utilized by other companies.
The seminar will be held at the ABI office on march 30. Click here for more information and to register: http://www.cvent.com/events/workers-compensation-best-practices-lessons-learned-and-ideas-from-the-innovators/event-summary-b7df219082a0451dbed5f8305d5f1685.aspx. We look forward to seeing your HR, risk management, and compliance teams at ABI on March 30.
Elevate Scholarships Available
You know how important ABI's Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative is to our state. Manufacturing firms supply more than 208,858 jobs to Iowans. These well-paying careers require education and training beyond high school, but many don’t require the often burdensome cost of a bachelor’s degree. Recent studies have shown that two-year degree holders, especially in high-demand manufacturing occupations, can earn salaries that surpass those of college graduates.
A career in manufacturing means getting to work sooner with less debt.
Elevate Advanced Manufacturing promotes great careers in advanced manufacturing. In 2017, Elevate is offering (15) $500 scholarships to Iowa high school seniors interested in studying a manufacturing-related career at one of Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges – 1 award will be made per college region. Interested candidates can apply by completing the application at www.elevateiowa.com.
Engage Cuba Trade Mission Moved to September
Due to great interest in a later date, the Engage Cuba trade mission originally scheduled for late next month has been moved to early September. ABI members interested in exploring opportunities to expand in to Cuba are specifically invited to participate as a member of the trade delegation. If you are interested, please reply to this message and I will send you more information at once.
ABI to Host HSI Workgroup Later Today
ABI has sought to help and support the work of the Iowa Healthiest States Initiative to improve the quality of Iowans' health and wellness. the most recent example of that is ABI's leadership of the HSI Statewide Strategic Alliances Workgroup.
That panel will meet at ABI this afternoon. Watch for more information about this how initiative can benefit your company.
Call for Presenters: Taking the Road Less Traveled, A Career Conference for Girls
Thanks to ABI Board Member Vince Newendorp (Vermeer Corporation, Pella), ABI has connected with the Program for Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) at Iowa State University. WiSE will sponsor a day-long conference for girls to explore STEM careers on the Iowa State University campus.
Since the first conference in 1987, over 65,000 girls, parents and educators have participated in this career awareness program. WiSE offers six conferences annually for over 2,000 8th – 10th grade girls from across the state of Iowa. The conference is made possible through partnerships with business and industry showcasing the exciting STEM opportunities available in Iowa. Spring 2017 conferences will be held on April 13th, 20th (8th grade girls) and April 27th (9th/10th grade girls). Each program runs from 9:00 – 2:30 p.m. and includes two keynote speakers, lunch and four career sessions. If interested in presenting, please contact Janice Crow, Assistant Director for Outreach, WiSE at jrcrow@iastate.edu or 515-294-5883 by February 13, 2017. To learn more about the conference or the Program for Women in Science and Engineering, please visit www.wise.iastate.edu; also visit the conference website at Spring 2017 TRLT Presenter sign-up. Thanks again to Vince for the connection!
Quad Cities Chamber Event Wednesday
Wednesday evening in Des Moines, ABI member Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual legislative event at HOQ. The restaurant is just across the street from the ABI office. Congratulations to the QC Chamber for what is always a great event. As I note every year, I'll bet we will see ABI Board Member John Riches (Arconic, Davenport) and other terrific leaders there.
Cindy Dietz Profiled in STEM Newsletter
ABI Board Member Cindy Dietz (Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids) has long been a leader in Iowa's efforts to promote education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. She has also long been a member of the Governor's Iowa STEM Advisory Council.
It was fun to read a feature about Cindy in the latest STEM Council newsletter. You can read it for yourself here: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/January-2017-Iowa-STEM-News.html?soid=1111870609743&aid=-ai4hHIbmh4#LETTER.BLOCK26. Congratulations on the great coverage, Cindy!
Alan Mores Honored by INA
At the 2017 Convention of the Iowa Newspaper Association held last week in Des Moines, members honored longtime ABI Board Member Alan Mores (Harlan Newspapers, Harlan). Alan has long been a leader in the INA and this past week completed a term as President of the INA Services Company Board of Directors.
Alan led the services company, which handles sales and other for-profit activities of the INA, to another terrific year of adding value to the newspaper association. ABI congratulates Alan Mores!