ABI Executive Open Today - Monday Memo 8/28/23

TODAY: The 2023 ABI Executive Open

As I noted last week, the annual ABI Executive Open is one of the association’s most popular events.  The 2023 Open tees-off later this morning at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. 

While golf for today’s event is set, even if you haven’t registered, you may attend the after-event reception.  Come on out to the Glen Oaks clubhouse club at 4:30 this afternoon and ABI will take care of you. 

Next ABI Automation Summit Thursday in Newton

The next in a series of ABI events focused on automation and cobots will be held on the Newton Campus of Des Moines Area Community College this Thursday, on August 31^.  Register now for this high-value event.  Past summits have been incredibly popular and have drawn manufacturing operations staff from far and wide.  You will find information about cobots (and be able to see them in action), other automation solutions to workforce and process issues, and talk to experts about cost/savings and other issues.  Click here to find more information and to register: Summary - Automation Summit (cvent.com). 

First ABI Board Meeting of 2023 Fiscal Year Week After Next; Preceded by Economic Luncheon

The ABI Board of Directors, led by Vice Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City), will hold its first meeting of the new fiscal year on Wednesday, September 13.  The board will convene at 1:30 p.m. at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines.  A week from Wednesday, you will receive the usual email message from me that includes the link to the meeting packet.  The packet will include an agenda, detailed reports, and other items to help you prepare for the meeting. 

A number of important issues will be reviewed and acted upon at the meeting.  One highlight will be the consideration of recommendations related to the association's 2024 policy positions.  Look for more information in your board packet.  

The board meeting will be preceded by a terrific event, an Economic Forecast Luncheon presented by ABI member Security National Bank that will provide the latest information and analysis regarding the state of the economy.  You can find more information and register for the luncheon here: Summary - What is the Future of the Economy? Presented by Security National Bank of Iowa (cvent.com).  

If you haven’t already registered for the board meeting, you can do so now by replying to this memo.  All board members and Past Chairs are encouraged to join ABI for the board meeting.  On behalf of Chad and our other officers, I look forward to seeing you on September 13. 

Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference in September

ABI and a number of other organizations partner each year in producing the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference.  The 2023 conference will be held September 26-27 at the Kansas City Convention Center in downtown Kansas City.  The agenda for the conference is packed full of information and your team members who attend will receive the very latest in environmental regulatory information. 

ABI receives financial support for every Iowa participant that registers for the conference.  While that is a great incentive, the real reason to attend is for the high-value program.  Find more information and register by clicking on http://mecconference.com/.    

ABI Economic Growth, Tax Committees Meet Tomorrow, Wednesday

ABI Board Member Kelly Barrick (CIBC, West Des Moines) will again Chair the ABI Economic Growth Committee in its annual meeting which will be held tomorrow.  On Wednesday, the ABI Tax Committee, chaired by longtime member company executive Ryan Loecher (EFCO, Des Moines), will meet.  That meeting will mark the final meeting in the series of five policy meetings held this month.  Literally hundreds of ABI members from all across Iowa and beyond are participating in the 2023 series of meetings and we thank you for your participation! 

ABI Manufacturing Conference, Including Legends Luncheon, to be held October 4th

ABI, Agri-Industrial Plastics, the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University (CIRAS), Community State Bank, Express Logistics, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and RAMCO Innovations are the lead sponsors for the 2023 Iowa Manufacturing Conference.  The conference will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the campus of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny on October 4th.  

There is a great speaker lineup for this event.  Director of Corporate Economics Dr. Kanlaya Barr (John Deere, Moline) will keynote the morning session and retired naval commander Dr. Mary Kelly will keyntoe the afternoon session.  High-value workshops, manufacturing tours, a luncheon featuring the annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards, and much more will make the conference one you don’t want to miss.  Find more information and register now for the conference by clicking on this link: Summary - Iowa Manufacturing Conference & Legends In Manufacturing Awards (cvent.com).  

Legislative Committee to Meet September 5th

The ABI Legislative Committee, chaired by ABI Vice Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City), will meet a week from tomorrow in Des Moines.  Following on the many meetings held in Des Moines and around Iowa before it, the meeting will result in a final set of polices being developed for action by you and your fellow board members next month.  Look for the final policy draft in your September board packet. 

Latest Edition of BCC Advisers’ baton Out Now

As you know, we find great value in your company newsletters.  One we always look forward to is baton, the newsletter from longtime ABI member and leading supporter/Advisory Council member BCC Advisers.  The latest edition of baton is out now and you can read it for yourself here: Baton 19.2 (bccadvisers.com). 

In addition to always-interesting comments from the firm’s President, ABI Board Member Steve Jacobs (BCC Advisers, Des Moines), there is a terrific cover story about steps you can take to increase the value of your business.  And other articles make this edition of interest as well.  Thank you to Steve and the team at BCC Advisers for sharing this great information. 

Sukups Celebrate September 3rd

Former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) and his wife, Mary Sukup, celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary this coming Sunday.  As I note every year, Charles and Mary are one of the all-time great couples.  It is a pleasure to send very best wishes and congratulations to Charles and Mary.  Happy anniversary to the Sukups! 

Betty Soener Passes

Thank you to former longtime ABI team members Jan Meek and John Gilliland for alerting me to the death of Betty Soener.  Betty was the wife of Jack Soener, who, along with the late Don Hauser, led ABI’s work (and IMA’s work before it) at the Statehouse for over thirty years.  I recall Betty from my early days at the Capitol, as she was the Lobbyist Clerk.  She also served in various other roles at the Statehouse and was a terrific woman.  Read more here: https://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Betty-May-Soener/West-Des-Moines-Iowa/1891214.  Our thoughts and prayers go to Jack and his family.  By the way, many of you will wish to reach out to Jack.  Here is his address: Jack Soener, 4808 Cedar Drive, Unit 97, West Des Moines, IA, 50266.  Deepest sympathies to Jack.