ABI Okoboji Forum Coming Soon - Monday Memo 7/11/22
July 11, 2022
Register NOW for This Month’s ABI Okoboji Forum
Registrations are strong for the 2022 ABI Okoboji CEO Forum (open to all members, not just CEOs), but there is still for you to register if you haven’t yet done so. As you know, this is a spectacular program. Click here for more information and to register: Summary - Okoboji CEO Forum (Members Only) (cvent.com).
The forum will be held the 28th and 29th of July in Okoboji. Thursday afternoon’s events take place at the Waterfront Events Center in Arnolds Park, situated on beautiful East Lake Okoboji. On Friday morning, we’ll be at a terrific longtime ABI member, Spencer Municipal Utilities, in Spencer. The forum starts with lunch on Thursday and ends with the tour Friday morning.
Following lunch on Thursday, Kavi Chawla (Baton Global, Des Moines) will share a fascinating presentation about geopolitical issues and how they impact YOUR business right here in Iowa. If you haven’t heard Kavi before, you’ve missed out and he’ll be a terrific kick-off to the program. In a new addition to the program, Kavi will be followed by a terrific address about mergers and acquisitions by longtime ABI member global law firm Dentons Davis Brown. Next, a fabulous panel of ABI member family business owners and former owners will share remarks: Sherri Behrendt, formerly an owner at Vantec in Webster City, Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield), and Katy Susong (Cardinal Construction, Waterloo). Keynote Speaker Miriam Erickson Brown (Anderson Erickson Dairy Company, Des Moines) will appear next. Miriam is the Chair and CEO of her family’s third-generation company.
Friday morning, attendees will be addressed by ABI member CEO Steve Pick (Spencer Municipal Utilities, Spencer) and then tour SMU’s brand new, multi-million dollar water plant. SMU provides utility services to a number of ABI members in the Spencer area and is well-known for its terrific service. As you can see, this is an exceptional program. See you at the Lakes later this month.
Celebrate Dorothy Knowles; Welcome Levi and Kendall
Please join us at ABI this Wednesday (July 13) from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon to celebrate the ABI career of Dorothy Knowles. Dorothy has been with ABI for 17 years and has led database, billing, and other functions during that time. She is a popular resource for members and a popular part of our team. Dorothy is also just a terrific person and she will be greatly missed. Join us as we recognize her many, many contributions on Wednesday.
And please welcome new ABI staff member Levi Lefebure, who joined us last week. Levi is working with Dorothy through the end of the month and will then lead those functions on his own. Kendall Antle also joins the ABI Foundation this week and we look forward to having him on the team leading Foundation marketing, recruitment, and other functions. Welcome, Levi and Kendall.
Business Horizons 2022 Next Week in Pella
The 2022 session of the ABI Foundation’s annual Business Horizons program will begin next Sunday. The program will be held on the campus of Central College in Pella July 17-21.
BH brings high school students from across Iowa together to learn about our state and the opportunities that exist for them here. The program connects students with their future in Iowa. By the time the annual session is completed, students know that they have terrific employment opportunities right here.
BH has received rave reviews from students, college officials, ABI leaders, and others. Watch for more information about BH coming soon.
Final ABI Regional Policy Meetings Next Week in Atlantic, Fairfield
Each year upon adjournment of the Iowa General Assembly, the ABI public policy team hits the road for regional meetings around Iowa. Normally, we cover a thousand miles or more.
After meetings in Dubuque, Des Moines, and Fort Dodge, the final 2022 regional meetings take place in Atlantic on July 20 and in Fairfield on July 21. This is your opportunity to hear the final report on the 2022 legislative session, the latest news from ABI, and to share your comments about the ABI agenda for next year. For more information or to register, place click on https://www.iowaabi.org/events/.
IIPAC Annual Report Published
A key part of ABI’s award-winning public policy work is financial support for candidates (regardless of party) who support business. The Iowa Industry Political Action Committee is the association’s PAC and it makes that support possible. YOU make the PAC possible and thank you for your contributions.
The IIPAC Annual Report is soon being published. If your name isn’t listed as a contributor… it should be! Please join us and support pro-business candidates. Thank you again for your support.
Latest Business Record Iowa Now Out; Erickson Brown on the Cover
The latest edition of ABI’s monthly newsprint magazine, Business Record Iowa, should be in your mailbox by now. It is another terrific edition, with lots of valuable information and the first column by newly-elected ABI Chair Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines).
Another highlight is a great cover story about Iowa’s food manufacturing industry. You can’t miss it, because you will find longtime ABI member company CEO Miriam Erickson Brown (Anderson Erickson Dairy Company, Des Moines) on the cover. Thank you, Miriam, for being our ABI cover model this month!
We hope you enjoy this edition of Business Record Iowa and if for some reason you did not receive it, please reply to this memo and I’ll make sure one is sent to you right away.
Mark Your Calendars Now for ABI Executive Open
In recent editions of this memorandum, I have been sharing information about the Annual ABI Executive Open. This best ball golf tournament has quickly grown into one of ABI's most popular annual events.
This Des Moines-area event will be held on August 29th at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. One of Iowa's most beautiful private clubs, Glen Oaks is sure to be a fabulous venue for this always-popular event.
What’s Taking Place at Kent Corporation: GROWTH
In case anyone wonders what is going on at longtime ABI member Kent Corporation in Muscatine, the answer is growth with a capital “G.” Last week, the company announced THREE acquisitions. Two of the companies are headquartered in Australia and one right her in Iowa. It is fun to read about the acquisitions and what they mean for Kent and its subsidiaries. To read more about each of the acquisitions, check the ABI newsletter that comes out at the end of this week, or click here: News (kentww.com). In the meantime, CONGRATULATIONS to everyone at Kent, including ABI Board Member Rich Dwyer (Kent Corporation, Muscatine)!