Big Week at ABI - Monday Memo 10/3/22
October 3, 2022
Big Week: Legends Dinner Tomorrow Night, ABI 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 2022 Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner will be held tomorrow evening and the 2022 ABI Iowa Manufacturing Conference will take place Wednesday. Both events will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the campus of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny.
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) Manufacturing Conference (cvent.com). The Legends Dinner is always a terrific celebration of Iowa manufacturing. And a fabulous lineup of speakers has been developed for the manufacturing conference.
The day begins with a terrific manufacturing panel featuring ABI manufacturing leaders such as Steve Boal (Accumold, Ankeny), Kelli Gallagher (Dee Zee, Des Moines), and Hank Norem (Ramco Innovations, West Des Moines). Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will moderate the panel. The afternoon keynote address will be delivered by Gage Kent (KENT Corporation, Muscatine).Throw in terrific workshops, great information, cool manufacturing tours, and high-value networking and you have a fabulous event. Click on the link above and finalize your plans now to participate.
Next Board Meeting a Month Away (will be held at ABI); Executive Committee Meets Next Week
ABI Chair Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines) is inviting all former chairs and members of the board to participate in the final board meeting of 2022. The board will meet in person at ABI headquarters in Des Moines' East Village on Wednesday, November 9. You can expect a full agenda.
Again, this will be the final board meeting of the calendar year; I hope you can attend. As for this month, the ABI Executive Committee will hold its monthly meeting by Zoom next Wednesday.
2022-2023 Leadership Iowa Class to Hold Opening Session in Jefferson This Week
The initial session of the 2022-2023 Leadership Iowa class will be held later this week in Jefferson. The 2nd annual class will hear from terrific speakers, such as ABI Foundation Board Chair Kim Butler Hegedus (Community State Bank, Ankeny) and ABI Board Member Todd McDonald (ATW Training, Urbandale), and get to know each other. The class will meet again in November.
As you have read previously, some ABI leaders are in the class, ABI Board Member Phil Jones (Rada Cutlery, Waverly) chief among them. Also in the class are longtime ABI CFO Roundtable Member Andrew St. John (CIPCO, Des Moines) and Renee Hansen (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield). ABI Public Policy Director Brad Hartkopf is also a class member. Congratulations to these individuals and to the entire class.
As members of the board, you will have multiple opportunities to meet the LI class during the coming months. In the meantime, thank you for your support of the LI program.
IIPAC Board to Meet Next Week
The Iowa Industry Political Action Committee is ABI’s political arm. IIPAC is a key tool in our support of pro-business elected officials of both parties. If you haven’t already contributed, you should (I have). You can do so here: IIPAC | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).
The IIPAC Board of Directors, chaired by former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) will meet again next Monday at the ABI office. Thank you in advance to board members for their hard work. And thank you again to all of you who support IIPAC!
Iowa Events Center Again Location for Annual ABI Legislative Reception; Registration Available Soon
ABI’s award-winning public policy advocacy is successful for many reasons. One is a terrific staff. Another is a sophisticated array of tools and programs in place to support that work. But the critical reason for our success is you. Your personal relationship with your legislator is vital to ABI’s success.
The association’s second largest event held each year is a great tool to use to help in maintaining that personal relationship. The annual ABI Legislative Reception is always a terrific event. Watch for registration information for this event to be available soon. For now, please mark the date on your calendar. The 2023 Reception will be held January 11th.
In the meantime, the big news related to the event is that it will again be held at Des Moines’ Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. The convention center is spacious and is connected by skywalk to the brand new Hilton Hotel. And, parking is plentiful and convenient. Please make plans now to attend.
Recession Concerns, Supply Chain Top Latest NAM Report
The latest edition of the Monday Economic Report, published by the National Association of Manufacturers, highlighted concerns about a possible recession and ongoing supply chain issues as top of mind for manufacturers. To see the report for yourself, simply to this message and I’ll get it to you at once.
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 this Thursday, October 6. Happy birthday and best wishes to Kim and John!
Dennis Murdock Marks Birthday
Former ABI Chair Dennis Murdock (CIPCO, Des Moines) celebrated his birthday September 27th. ABI sends belated best birthday wishes to Dennis Murdock!