Conference Media Information to be Released Soon - Monday Memo 2/7/22
February 7, 2022
ABI to Release Taking Care of Business Conference Media Information Soon; Conference Registration Live on the 24th
A team of ABI leaders and staff members have made multiple visits to Dubuque over the past several months. Led by ABI Chair Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa), the team has participated in meetings and tours related to the annual ABI Taking Care of Business Conference. The Conference Committee will meet by Zoom tomorrow, as planning continues for the 2022 Taking Care of Business Conference to be held in Dubuque June 14-16.
Preparations for the conference now begin in even greater earnest. A major development is the release of media information coming in a matter of weeks. And, watch for registration to be live on February 24th. At that time, register and, if you haven’t already done so, please make your lodging reservations, and there are plenty of lodging options related to the conference. Go here for more information: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/annual-conference/.
ABI Board Will Meet in March; Executive Committee Thursday
The next ABI Board of Directors meeting will meet in March (Following ABI Day on the Hill on March 8th; please see below). In the meantime, the association’s Executive Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting by Zoom this Thursday.
Iowa Business Day on the Hill A Month Away
The 2022 version of ABI's Business Day on the Hill will be held Tuesday, March 8. The program begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the ABI office in Des Moines' East Village (plenty of convenient free parking is available). Following a continental breakfast and an exclusive update with the latest information from the General Assembly, participants will be taken to the Capitol for meetings with legislators and other leaders. .
There will be many highlights during the day. For instance, you'll have plenty of time to speak with your legislators, look around Iowa's beautiful Statehouse, and conduct other business. Register now at Summary - Day on the Hill 2022 (cvent.com). On behalf of our ABI officers, thank you in advance for your participation in this year’s event.
Legislative Update Next Week
Every two weeks throughout the legislative session, ABI lobbyists host a Zoom update to give you the very latest information from the Statehouse. Updates on bills, legislative proposals, state actions, and other matters are covered in each call. Your specific questions about those topics are also very much welcomed.
The next update will be held a week from Friday, February 18th, at 8:00 a.m. and you and your employees are encouraged to participate. The members-only update is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register by clicking on this link: Legislative Update (Members Only) | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).
Biennial ABI Pre-Employment Testing Seminar March 30 in Des Moines
The association will host its biennial pre-employment testing seminar late in March. This is the place to find the latest information about drug testing and other pre-employment testing programs and to learn the best practices utilized by other companies. The seminar will be held at the ABI office on March 30 and you can find more information and register here: Summary - Pre-employment Seminar (cvent.com). We look forward to seeing your HR, risk management, and compliance teams at ABI on March 30th.
Advisory Council Meeting February 17
Members of the ABI Advisory Council provide leadership in many ways. Certainly their financial support for ABI is important, but of even greater value are the people and information these great companies provide to ABI members.
The council will hold its monthly meeting on February 17. Please join me in thanking the members of the council. They are Anthologic, Assured Partners, BCC Advisers, BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC Insurance, Focus OneSource, Fredrikson & Byron, HDH Advisors, Principal Midwest Business Center, The Iowa Clinic, and Wells Fargo.
ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders Event in Council Bluffs on March 3
The next ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held March 3 in Council Bluffs. A high-value panel and networking will all be a part of the program, which is focused on economic development in Iowa. Click here for more information and to register: Summary - Connecting Statewide Leaders - Council Bluffs (cvent.com). These programs are ways to gain information and connect with your fellow ABI members, Leadership Iowa Class members, and others.
Foundation Auction Coming in June
Members of the ABI Foundation staff are calling all ABI members. With the annual Taking Care of Business conference just a few months away, the ABI Foundation is revving up for its annual conference auction. An auction committee, which was created three years ago, has ensured that an exciting auction will be held. If you have donated action items in the past, we hope you will be moved to do so again.
If you haven’t donated items to the auction, we hope you will take a moment to think about how you or your business can contribute. The conference auction is vital to the success and sustainability of the Foundation’s life-changing programs. To make arrangements, please contact Rebecca (Becky) Coady at 515-235-0569 or rcoady@iowaabi.org.
NAM Report: Labor Force Participation on the Rise
This week’s Monday Economic Report, published by the National Association of Manufacturers, had some positive news to share. That is that labor force participation rates are on the rise.
There was also plenty of less-than-positive news. COVID continues to impact operations and supply chain issues abound, but again, at least there was some good news. As always, should you wish to read the report for yourself, please contact me and I’ll get it to you at once.
Cindy Dietz’ Father Passes
Former Chair Cindy Dietz (Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids) is mourning the death of her father, Roger Will, who passed away a week ago yesterday. Mr. Will, who lived in Emmetsburg, was a Marine and longtime official with the U.S. Soil Conversation Service. He lived a wonderful life and you can read more about him here: Obituary | Roger Will of Emmetsburg, Iowa | Martin-Mattice Funeral Home (martinmatticefuneralhome.com). Cindy was a devoted daughter and ABI is keeping her and her family in our thoughts and prayers.
Tyler Family Mourns Passing of Amy Tyler Deardorff
Another ABI family is in mourning, as the Tyler Family lost Amy Tyler Deardorff on January 29. Amy was daughter to Jim, sister to Kirk, and aunt to Rob. She was a longtime leader in the Greater Omaha area and beloved by all who knew her (read more here: Amy Deardorff Obituary (1951 - 2022) - Omaha, NE - Omaha World-Herald (legacy.com)). Our thoughts and prayers are with Former Chairs Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) and Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and with ABI Board Member Rob Feeney ((Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and their family.