ABI Legislative Reception Two Weeks from Today - Monday Memo 1/2/19

January 2, 2019

Record Registrations for Upcoming ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, Governor and Lieutenant Governor to Attend (Invited); Policy Booklet Soon Available

You will not want to miss one of the association’s premier 2019 events, the annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception.  Both the briefing and reception are being held at an exciting new venue, the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines, and will conveniently follow the ABI Board Meeting on January 16 two weeks from today.  

The briefing is your opportunity to hear the latest about legislative news and about ABI's pro-growth agenda.  ABI Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain and Director Public Policy Brad Hartkopf have prepared a terrific program regarding the upcoming session.  

The annual legislative reception follows the briefing and a highlight will be the appearance of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg (invited).  And, you’ll recall that more Iowa legislators attend this event (the ABI Legislative Reception) than any similar event hosted by any organization.  This is because YOU attend.  Legislators tell ABI all the time that they want to meet you, they want to learn about your business, and they value this opportunity to visit with you about issues.  

To register for this event, please go NOW to http://www.cvent.com/events/2019-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-b4df5045c6f5442eb13203762724b123.aspx or SIMPLY REPLY to this email and I’ll make sure you are registered.  Make no mistake; your attendance at the reception, briefing, and board meeting is absolutely critical to advancing ABI’s 2019 legislative agenda.  It is clear that over 500 ABI members, legislators, and others will attend.  On behalf of ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and our other officers, thank you in advance for participating in this very important event.  

In the way of a final note related to ABI's public policy work, be on the lookout for your personal copy of the 2019 ABI Policy booklet.  The handbook has become a valuable reference tool for ABI members and legislators alike and the latest edition will be available very soon.  Thanks to Nicole, Jessica, Brad, and to ABI Communications Manager David Hildahl and ABI Executive Administrative Assistant Michelle Vollstedt for their work with the handbook. 

Jessica Hyland to Leave; McKenzie Kielman Starts ABI Foundation Post Today

Right before Christmas, ABI Director Public Policy Jessica Hyland shared the news that she would be leaving ABI to accept a new position. Jessica will become the new Executive Director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association.  This is a great post for Jessica, and we wish her well.  Jessica’s last day at ABI is this Friday, January 4.  We will miss her greatly. 

A search to fill the vacant position has already begun.  I am confident that the position will be attractive to a number of highly qualified candidates, and we will find a strong person to add to the ABI team.  In the meantime, special thanks to Nicole Crain and Brad Hartkopf for their continued excellent work. 

In other staff news, you will recall that the ABI Foundation announced that McKenzie Kielman of Waverly, Iowa, would be joining the staff.  McKenzie starts her job today as the Foundation’s Marketing and Engagement Coordinator.  

McKenzie graduated last month from Wartburg College.  You will have an opportunity to meet McKenzie at this month’s board meeting.  When you do, please join all of us in welcoming her to ABI and the ABI Foundation. 

Important ABI Board Meeting a Week on the 16th

The first ABI leadership meeting of 2019 will be held Wednesday, January 16.  The ABI Board of Directors will meet at 2:00 that afternoon.   This meeting is an important one, with a discussion of association programs and finances on tap, as well as vital information related to the 2019 Session of the Iowa General Assembly.  

The board meeting will feature several highlights and our regular business.  The meeting will be held at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, which is the same location as the legislative briefing and reception.  You will not need to move your car or travel between meetings and events.  

All board members and Past Chairs are encouraged to attend the board meeting and stay for the annual legislative briefing and reception that follows.  ABI Vice President Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson, Member Programs Director Holly Mueggenberg, Membership Coordinator Dorothy Knowles, and Bookkeeper Chrissy Viers have developed strong meeting arrangements.  Look for your usual meeting packet in your email in-basket later this week.  In the meantime, thank you in advance for attending this important afternoon of events. 

Leadership Iowa Alumni Dinner a Part of Next Week's ABI Activities

The ABI Foundation does great things for Iowa.  ABI Vice President Foundation Becky Coady, Director Foundation Programs Jessi Steward, Foundation Assistant Jane Galloway, and Alumni Engagement staffer Kay Neumann-Thomas are leading the way for great ABIF programs. 

Following the ABI board meeting and legislative briefing and reception, the Foundation will host a Leadership Iowa Alumni Dinner.  The dinner will be held at the Hilton Hotel (connected by skywalk to the convention enter) and will include alumni of all LI classes.  Click here for more information and to register for this fun new event: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/141-leadership-iowa-alumni-dinner-celebration/

The dinner and networking opportunities for LI alumni following the annual ABI Legislative Reception are terrific additions to the schedule of events for January 16.  See you there!   

ABI, Nicole Crain Featured in Business Record

The December 21 edition of the Des Moines Business Record carried a cover photo featuring (among others) ABI Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain.  Inside, the edition carried a cover story that featured ABI and Nicole, among other organizations and individuals.  The focus was on the upcoming session of the Iowa General Assembly. 

In comments that were quoted in the article, Nicole focused on ABI priorities and on issues that have been identified as key issues by legislative leaders.  If you wish to read the story for yourself, contact me and we’ll get a copy in the mail to you at once.  In the meantime, congratulations and good work to Nicole. 

Leadership Iowa Class to Hold January Session

Speaking of Leadership Iowa, members of the ABI Foundation’s 2018-2019 Leadership Iowa Class will convene the week after next for their January session.  The class will meet in Des Moines for a program that will focus on state government.  

Members of the class have been invited to join you and other ABI members for the annual legislative reception on Wednesday evening.  Should you come across LI class members at the reception, please greet them and make them feel welcome. 

New Elevate Newsletter Available

ABI board members are of course well familiar with the association’s Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative, ABI’s public-private partnership to raise the profile of manufacturing careers and to connect Iowans with manufacturing jobs.  And, as members of the ABI Board of Directors, you should already be receiving the periodic Elevate newsletters, which provide the latest information about what is happening with the initiative and its programs. 

The most recent Elevate newsletter was published just before the holidays.  In it, you will find an update about program scholarships, you can view manufacturing videos, and you can review other great information.  If you didn’t receive the newsletter, reply to this message and I’ll get it to you at once.  In the meantime, THANK YOU for your support for Elevate

US Manufacturers Optimistic

In the results of the most recent edition of the ABI Quarterly Iowa Economic survey (published last month), ABI board members were quite positive about business prospects entering Q1 of 2019.  ABI members aren’t the only ones optimistic about the coming year.  

According to various reports published by the National Association of Manufacturers, manufacturers across the country are optimistic about 2019.  If you wish to read the reports, please contact me and I will forward them to you at once. 

Story Construction Celebrates 85 Years of Success in 2019

With the beginning of the new year yesterday, longtime ABI member Story Construction is marking its 85th year in business.  Over the years, the company has seen tremendous growth and success.  

Last year at this time, the company was christening its beautiful new headquarters building in Ames.  Congratulations on 85 big years and best wishes to everyone at Story, including company President and ABI Board Member Mike Espeset (Story Construction, Ames)

Todd Sommerfeld Celebrates

Another great ABI leader is celebrating a birthday.  Board Member Todd Sommerfeld (Kreg Tool Company, Huxley) gets his new year off to a good start by celebrating his birthday, which is tomorrow.  Congratulations and happy birthday, Todd! 

As Always, ABI has Aggressive Agenda for New Year

Thanks to the leadership of ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and all of you on the ABI Board of Directors, lots of action on big goals are a part of ABI's plans for 2019.  ABI has developed a strong record of success and those big goals for 2019 include continued growth in members and revenue, increased programming of value, legislative success, and increases in Foundation activity, among many other things. 

For now, your participation in the ABI events to be held this month is an important part of starting the year successfully.  We need your leadership to continue the aggressive and impactful record of the past years.  THANK YOU again for all you do for ABI and for Iowa business.