Board Meets a Week from Tomorrow - Monday Memo 9/3/24
September 3, 2024
ABI Board Will Meet Next Week
ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) will convene the first board meeting of the fiscal year a week from tomorrow. The board will meet at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11.
You will receive an email message from me later this week with a link to the board packet. If you have any difficulties accessing the packet, please contact Michelle Vollstedt at mvollstedt@iowaabi.com and she will see that you receive access.
The September meeting is an important one for several reasons. First, it marks the first meeting of the fiscal year and the first meeting for newly-elected board members. Second, it will involve board consideration and approval of the policies developed through the annual policy development process (ABI members from across Iowa and beyond have participated in meetings to propose a slate of policies for 2025). Third, the board will receive and act on operational reports regarding the business of ABI. Fourth and finally, board members’ brief business updates will be a highlight.
Another highlight will be the guests who will be peaking with you at the meeting. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver will both be with us at the meeting. As I noted last week, both Secretary Naig and Senator Whitver have been true friends of ABI and we appreciate their leadership very much. Look for more information in your board packet.
On behalf of Chad and our other officers, I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday. Thank you in advance for making plans to participate in the meeting.
2025 Annual Conference Will be SPECTACULAR
If you were at the annual ABI Taking Care of Business Conference last June, you already know that the 2025 conference will be in Council Bluffs. Ladies and gentlemen, the Council Bluffs conference will be spectacular - do not miss this event! Last Wednesday, ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) led a delegation to Council Bluffs for a second site visit. We were simply blown away by the hospitality, the incredible venues, and the desire on the part of Council Bluffs officials (from the mayor on down) to ensure you have a truly one-of-a-kind conference experience. You will learn more in the coming months, but for now, cement your plans to be in Council Bluffs next June 10-12. You will be amazed!
Ramco Automation Event Friday – YOU are Invited
ABI Board Member Hank Norem (Ramco Innovations, West Des Moines) spoke with me Saturday when we ran into each other at the North Dakota-Iowa State football game. We weren’t concerned with the Cyclone offense or defense (maybe we should have been), instead, Hank told me about a very cool event coming up at Ramco this Friday. Ramco is hosting an automation event at its West Des Moines campus and YOU and your teams are invited. Ramco (a division of Sukup Innovations) is a leader in automation solutions, so just know that this event will be terrific. If I recall correctly, the hours of the event are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in more information, please reply to this message and I’ll get information to you. In the meantime, thank you, Hank!
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).
Iowa Manufacturing Conference, Legends Luncheon in October; Great Speakers Featured
ABI, the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University (CIRAS), Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Community State Bank, Express Logistics, and Ramco Innovations are the lead sponsors for ABI’s Iowa Manufacturing Conference 2024. The conference will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the campus of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny on October 2nd. Find more information and register now for the conference by clicking on this link: Summary - Iowa Manufacturing Conference & Legends In Manufacturing Awards (cvent.com).
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. 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.
Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference Later this Month
As you may recall, ABI and a number of other organizations partner each year in producing the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference. The 2024 conference will be held September 24-25 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.
ABI receives financial support for every Iowa participant that registers for the conference. As I always say, while that is a great incentive, the real reason to attend is for the high-value program. Find more information and register by clicking on http://mecconference.com/.
One More Notice: Des Moines Art Center to Provide Tour Focused on Global Trade
As I noted last week, The Des Moines Art Center has extended an invitation to all ABI members to participate in an upcoming themed tour. This is a very different experience than ones that are typically highlighted in n the Monday Memo.
On September 21st at 1:00 p.m., the Art Center staff will lead a museum tour titled Tradewinds. The tour will explore how global trade shaped lives and landscapes, connects diverse peoples, and leaves lasting impacts through the movement of goods and the labor involved in their production. Art Center officials believe the tour will offer a thought-provoking exploration of global connectedness through the lens of art.
This is a drop-in tour with no registration required. Both the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes are on the road that day, so if you are looking for something different to do on a Saturday, here is something for your consideration!
Sukups Celebrate Today
Former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) and his wife, Mary Sukup, celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary today. As I note every year, Charles and Mary are one of the all-time great couples. It is a pleasure to send very best wishes and congratulations to Charles and Mary. Happy anniversary to the Sukups!