Board Meets Wednesday
September 11, 2023
First Board Meeting of FY24, Economic Forecast Luncheon Wednesday
At 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, ABI Vice Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) will convene the first board meeting of the fiscal year. The board will meet at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West 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.
A highlight of the day will be the luncheon preceding the board meeting (also to be held at Des Moines Golf). This event is an Economic Forecast Luncheon presented by ABI member Security National Bank that will provide the latest information and analysis regarding the state of the economy. You can find more information and register for the luncheon here: Summary - What is the Future of the Economy? Presented by Security National Bank of Iowa (cvent.com). On behalf of Chad and our other officers, I look forward to seeing you Wednesday.
Latest Edition of ABI's Business Monthly Out Today
The most recent edition of ABI's monthly newsprint magazine, ABI’s Business Monthly, will be published today and you should receive it sometime this week inside the Corridor Business Journal and the Quad Cities Business Journal. We are proud to partner with member company Corridor Media Group on the magazine.Look for a great ABI member on the cover. CEO Mark Barglof (Kinetic Technologies, Algona) is the cover model this month.
By the way, your input is important; let us know what you would like to see in future editions. And, if you have not received the new edition of the magazine, please reply to this memo and I'll make sure it is sent to you at once.
Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference 26th, 27th
ABI and a number of other organizations partner each year in producing the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference. The 2023 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 121st 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 Vice Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) in Davenport in June of next year. You won’t want to 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 4th 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 2023 conference include ABI, Agri-Industrial Plastics, the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University (CIRAS), Community State Bank, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and RAMCO Innovations. 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).
Great speakers are on tap, such as Director of Corporate Economics Dr.Kanlaya Barr (John Deere, Moline), who will keynote the morning session, and retired naval commander Dr. Mary Kelly, who 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 Positive Data Around GDP and Manufacturing Jobs
The most recent edition of the National Association of Manufacturers’ Monday Economic Report was published last week. Lead items focused on national GDP growth and increases in hiring for manufacturing jobs. There was much other interesting news as well. As always, reply to this memo if you wish to see the publication for yourself and I’ll get it to you at once.
Diamond Vogel Marks BIG Development
Wednesday will be a big day in NW Iowa, as longtime ABI Member Diamond Vogel celebrates the ribbon-cutting on its brand new, high-tech Innovation Center. The Innovation Center is the final part of the company’s “Building on Success” initiative, a five-year, $29.3 million expansion of the Diamond Vogel Orange City campus. While the ABI board meeting will keep many of us away from the tour and ceremony, we will be thinking of everyone at Diamond Vogel, including the company’s Chairman, longtime ABI Board Member Drew Vogel (Diamond Vogel, Orange City)! Congratulations all around!
Hank Norem Celebrates
ABI Board Member Hank Norem (Ramco Innovations, West Des Moines) celebrated his birthday last Thursday. Belated happy birthday wishes from ABI, Hank!
Osmundson Recognized for Work with Food Insecurity
Longtime ABI member Osmundson Manufacturing was recognized for its work to help feed the community and for other support. The Business Record highlighted the company in its Friday bulletin. If you wish to read more, reply to this memo and I will send additional information. In the meantime, congratulations and thank you to everyone at Osmundson, including company CEO and ABI Board Member Heather Bruce (Osmundson Manufacturing, Perry)!
CemenTech Partners on Construction Angels Event, You Can Help
Longtime ABI Board Member Connor Deering (CemenTech, Indianola) shared news with me last week about a cool event his company is co-sponsoring. Along with another ABI member, Master Builders of Iowa, CemenTech is hosting a golf outing to raise funds for Construction Angels. Construction Angels is a national organization that provides financial and other support for families of construction workers killed on the job. Most of you will be with us for the board meeting on Wednesday, but let your employees and vendors know they can participate in the event to help Construction Angels by playing in the outing at the Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk that day. Reply to this memo and I’ll get you more information. Thank you, Connor, for sharing this information with ABI!