Board Meeting in Two days - Monday Memo 9/9/24
September 9, 2024
First Board Meeting of FY25 Wednesday
At 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) will convene the first board meeting of the fiscal year. The board will meet at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines. You should have received a message from me last Wednesday that included information to help you prepare for the meeting. If you did not, please contact Michelle Vollstedt at mvollstedt@iowaabi.com and she will get it to you. And, if you haven’t already registered, simply reply to this memorandum and we’ll take care of that for you.
The September board meeting, the first meeting of the fiscal year and the first meeting for newly-elected board members, is always well-attended and this year appears to be no exception. Highlights will include remarks by two top state officials, your consideration and approval of ABI policies for 2025, the usual operational reports regarding the business of ABI, and an update on the search for a new ABI president provided by ABI Chair Chad Reece. The final highlight will be board members’ business updates. Hearing about the latest involving your business is always a terrific way to cap the meeting. On behalf of Chad and our other officers, I look forward to seeing you Wednesday.
Tomorrow: Manufacturing Forecast Event; Schaefer-Weaton, Bruce, Mohrhauser Will Speak
The Business Record is a great ABI member partner. Tomorrow, September 10th, the Business Record will produce a virtual event focused on Iowa Manufacturing. Three terrific ABI leaders will speak (along with Drake University professor Dr. Tom Root).
Former ABI Chair Lori-Schaefer Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield), ABI Board Member Heather Bruce (Osmundson Mfg. Co., Perry), and ABI member Luke Mohrhauser (McKee Voorhees & Sease, Des Moines) are panelists for the event, which is free of charge. It will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. Find more information and register here: Made in Iowa: Iowa Manufacturing Forecast Tickets, Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 11:30 AM | Eventbrite.
IIPAC Announces Friends of Iowa Business
You know that the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee is ABI’s political arm and a key resource in supporting pro-business candidates of either party. The IIPAC Board of Directors recently made decisions related to endorsing (or not endorsing) candidates and providing financial support. The board, as always, was deeply thoughtful in its decision-making. Click here to read more: ABI’s PAC Endorses Friends of Iowa Business | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).
Leadership Iowa Class Announced; Will Convene in October for First Session
The ABI Foundation and Leadership Iowa last week announced the 2024-2025 Leadership Iowa class. View the class list here: Current Class & Schedule | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org). As are all LI classes, this class is comprised of terrific young leaders from all around Iowa and they will meet for the first time October 2-4 in Algona. Congratulations to class members and best wishes for a great year.
Leadership Iowa is the ABI Foundation’s flagship program and over the years, it has helped thousands of Iowans develop their skills to help their communities and their state.
Session Two of the New ABI Pre-Employment Testing Process Webinar Series in Two Weeks
For some time, you have read that ABI has created a new webinar series, all focused on getting the latest information and best-practices related to pre-employment testing. This is in response to YOUR feedback.
For years, ABI produced a one-day seminar on this topic. Now, over three dates between July and December, your HR and risk management teams can get the information by Zoom in three one-hour sessions. The first session was held July 30th and the second session will be held two weeks from today, on September 17th from 11:00 a.m. to noon/ Click here her for more information and to register: Summary - Pre-Employment Testing Process Webinar Series (cvent.com).
Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference 26th, 27th
As you have been reading in recent weeks, ABI and a number of other organizations partner each year in producing the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference. The 2024 conference will be held later this month at the Overland Park Convention Center in suburban 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. Find more information and register by clicking on http://mecconference.com/.
Conference Committee Meets Tomorrow
The committee planning ABI’s 122nd annual conference will hold a meeting tomorrow. The committee is doing great work in developing a fabulous program for next year. Find more information here: Taking Care of Business Conference | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org). Stay tuned for much more news and get ready to join ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) in Council Bluffs in June of next year. I know I can be given to hyperbole about ABI events, but I mean it when I say this will be spectacular conference, with exciting venues, the likes of which you have never seen before. Don’t miss it!
Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference, ABI Legends Awards in October
One of ABI’s big annual events is just a few of weeks away. October 2nd is when ABI’s annual Iowa Manufacturing Conference will be held. You do not want to miss this annual celebration of Iowa manufacturing. Top sponsors for the 2024 conference include ABI, EMC, the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University (CIRAS), Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Community State Bank, Express Logistics, and Sukup Innovations’ Ramco Division.
The conference will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the Ankeny Campus of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). Find more information and register now for the conference by clicking on this link: Summary - Iowa Manufacturing Conference & Legends In Manufacturing Awards (cvent.com).
As I have noted in previous Monday Memos, great speakers are on tap, such as Former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and ABI Board Member Rob Feeney(Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines), who will keynote the morning session in a reprise of their presentation to the ABI Board of Directors last Spring. You will enjoy this fabulous Iowa manufacturing story! Technology futurist Jack Shaw will keynote the afternoon session. High-value workshops and the annual luncheon featuring the Legends in Manufacturing Awards and much more will make the conference one you don’t want to miss. The day will close with some fabulous manufacturing tours. Use the link above to see the entire program for yourself. You don't want to miss this program and the terrific value provided for conference attendees.
Last Week’s NAM Report Shares Contrasting Data
The most recent edition of the National Association of Manufacturers’ Monday Economic Report was published last week. As has been the case with most of the latest editions, there was a great deal of contrasting data. Nothing ABI members don’t already know, in that there is some good news and some bad in the manufacturing economy. As always, reply to this memo if you wish to see the publication for yourself and I’ll get it to you at once.
Hank Norem Celebrates
I did it again. I missed noting ABI Board Member Hank Norem’s (Sukup Innovations -Ramco Division, West Des Moines), who celebrated Saturday. I apologize, Hank! Hope it was a great one and belated happy birthday wishes from ABI!