Big ABI Events This Week - Monday Memo 9/27/21

September 27, 2021

Legends Dinner Tomorrow Night, Advanced Manufacturing Conference Wednesday

As you have read about in the last few editions of this memorandum, two of ABI’s most popular annual events will be held this week.  The 2021 Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner will be held tomorrow evening and the 2021 Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference will take place Wednesday.  Both events will be held at the Meadows Events Center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. 

Over 200 people have already registered for the event, but you can still register and participate by clicking on the following link: Summary - Legends In Manufacturing Awards Dinner (and/or) Advanced Manufacturing Conference (cvent.com).  Use this link to make a hotel reservation: Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel.  The Legends Dinner is always a terrific celebration of Iowa manufacturing.  And a terrific lineup of speakers has been developed for the manufacturing conference.  

The first keynote presentation will be shared by longtime ABI partner and the head of the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University, Dr. Ron Cox (CIRAS, Ames).  A session featuring another great ABI partner, Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, will take place at lunch.  And the final keynote presentation will be delivered by manufacturing leader Tami Hedgren (John Deere, Moline).  Throw in terrific workshops, great information, and high-value networking and you have a fabulous event.  Click on the link above and finalize your plans now to participate. 

Executive Committee Meets Next Week

ABI Chair Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa) and the members of the ABI Executive Committee will convene by Zoom next week for the October meeting.  A full agenda is on tap and committee members can look for the usual packet of meeting details coming later this week.  The Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. on October 7. 

Biennial ABI DC Fly-In October

The 2021 edition of the Biennial ABI DC Fly-In will take off for Washington, DC on October 26.  The trip will include meetings with every member of the Iowa Congressional Delegation.  In addition, briefings at the National Association of Manufacturers, BIPAC, and other terrific ABI partners are also on tap.  Thank you to those ABI leaders participating in the 2021 edition of the Fly-In! 

ABI Directory Updates Due Next Week

As you know, this is the time of year that ABI's member database is being updated.  Information from the database will be checked, formatted, and put in to hard copy form for inclusion in the 2022 ABI Resource Guide.  The guide, in addition to including member data, includes information on the association's people, programs, and events. 

If there are no changes in your personnel or company information, you need do nothing.  If you have updates, simply send an email to Dorothy Knowles at dknowles@iowaabi.org.  The deadline to receive updates is the end of next week (Friday, October 15).  Thank you in advance for helping us make sure your information is accurate. 

Leadership Iowa Class Convenes in Okoboji Next Week

The members of the 2021-2022 Leadership Iowa Class, the 40th LI class, will convene in the Iowa Great Lakes Region a week from Wednesday.  As is the case every year, this class is comprised of terrific young leaders from all around Iowa. 

Class members will hold the first session, become acquainted with each other and the program, and focus on learning about issues facing Iowa.  Look for a full report at next month's ABI board meeting.

January Meeting at Convention Center; November Meeting at ABI

On January 12, 2022, the board will convene at the Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines.  This is the same location as the annual ABI Legislative Reception (our organization’s second-largest event of the year).  By meeting at the convention center, you will not need to change locations or move your car between events.  In the meantime, the board’s next meeting will be held at ABI in Des Moines on November 11.  Look for meeting information to arrive in your email in-basket about a week in advance of that meeting. 

Birthday Wishes to Kim Augspurger and John Krogman

ABI Board Member Kim Augspurger (Saxton, Des Moines) recently celebrated her birthday and ABI Board Member John Krogman (Elkhart Plastics, Atlantic) will celebrate his birthday on October 6.  Happy birthday and best wishes to Kim and John! 

Brad Hartkopf and Brooke Slagle Wed

Everyone involved with ABI knows and appreciates Brad Hartkopf, ABI’s Director of Public Policy.  Well, Saturday was a time of celebrating as Brad wed Brooke Slagle in a beautiful ceremony in West Des Moines.  Brad and Brooke live in Ankeny and will be honeymooning later this year.  I can attest that a good time was had by all at Brad and Brooke’s wedding and the celebration that followed!  ABI sends very best wishes and many happy returns to Brad and Brooke!