Ernst Honored - Monday Memo 11/19/18

November 19, 2018

Senator Ernst to Receive U.S. Chamber Honor at ABI Today

In a ceremony to take place at ABI in a little over an hour, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will honor U.S. Senator Joni Ernst with the Spirit of Enterprise Award.  The award recognizes Senator Ernst for her leadership and support related to business issues.  Along with the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber is one of ABI’s key national partners and we are proud to host this important event.  

Before she was a U.S. Senator, Senator Ernst was a member of the Iowa Senate and while there she complied a strong pro-business voting record.  It is no surprise that she has continued that strong pro-business stance in Washington, DC.  Congratulations and thank you to Senator Ernst. 

ABI to Host Events December 6 in Oskaloosa

As you know, ABI will soon host two more events that will bring value to your company.  On the morning of December 6, ABI will host the next in a series of Connecting Statewide Leaders events.  Following that event and lunch with the leadership Iowa class, ABI will then hold a value-building seminar. 

You can register for the Connecting Statewide Leaders event now at http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-ade4be0c812843678cf3d9ae5bf74939.aspx.  The seminar about building business value will immediately follow lunch.  You can register and find more information here: http://www.cvent.com/events/building-business-value/event-summary-5de45122d61642808d353da33881fffa.aspx.  Both events should add value to your business. 

December Executive Committee Teleconference on the 12th

The ABI Executive Committee will hold its next regularly-scheduled monthly teleconference at 9:30 a.m. on December 12.  ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and members of the committee will work through a full agenda and the teleconference will mark the final ABI leadership meeting of 2018.  

Executive Committee members should watch for their usual meeting prep packets to arrive around December 5.  Thank you in advance for your participation in this important meeting. 

2019 ABI Legislative Briefing, Reception in January

One of ABI’s most popular events each year is the annual legislative reception (the annual legislative briefing precedes it).  This important association meeting provides an opportunity for you and your employees to visit with your legislators in a fun and casual setting.  Traditionally, more legislators attend this event than any other similar event held throughout the session and it is important for ABI members to be on hand to share business perspectives with them. 

The 2019 Reception will be held Wednesday, January 16.  Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, all 150 members of the Iowa General Assembly, and other state officials have been invited again this year.  Don’t miss this opportunity to greet your legislators and share important business issues with them.  

You can register now by going to http://www.cvent.com/events/2019-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-b4df5045c6f5442eb13203762724b123.aspx and clicking on the appropriate button near the bottom of the page.  The event will be held at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines and it will follow the January meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.  Make your plans now to attend. 

First ABI Board Meeting of 2019 on January 16

The January meeting of the ABI Board of Directors is traditionally one of the association’s busiest and best attended.  The board will meet Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the Community Choice Credit Union in Des Moines and the ABI Executive Committee will meet immediately prior.  

Your attendance is needed to ensure this important meeting goes well.  Please mark your calendars now to join your ABI colleagues on January 16 in Des Moines.  

Jessica Hyland Attends ATRA Conference

ABI Director Public Policy Jessica Hyland has returned to Des Moines after spending part of last week in San Diego.Jessica represented ABI at the annual meeting of the American Tort Reform Association.  ATRA has long been an ABI partner and the annual conference provided great information from a variety of speakers and experts.  We look forward to utilizing this information as part of ABI’s public policy work.  Welcome home, Jessica. 

Foundation Asks: Please Remember #Giving Tuesday

Please remember the items I shared previously related to #Giving Tuesday.  The hashtag signifies a global day of giving fueled by social media and collaboration.  Last year, over 1,000,000 people collectively gave more than $125 million in more than 74 countries.  The event is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely-represented shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  

Please remember that the ABI Foundation hopes you will participate in #GivingTuesday this November 27 by supporting their programs.  Please support the ABI Foundation through #GivingTuesday and don't hesitate to contact Foundation Development Director Becky Coady for more information at rcoady@iowaabi.org or at (515) 235-0569. 

Make Your 2019 Annual Conference Lodging Reservations Now

In last week's memo, I noted that it is not too early to make your lodging reservation for the 2019 Taking Care of Business Conference.  The conference will be held in Ames June 4-6 of next year. 

Rooms are going fast, so make your reservations now.  The Gateway Hotel and Conference Center and the Best Western University Park are the main conference hotels.  Click on this link for more information: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/annual-conference/.  Watch for some other exciting conference announcements in the coming weeks. 

Myron Linn Works another State Championship

As many of you know, former ABI Chair Myron Linn (Pella Corporation, Pella) is a longtime sports official.  He officiates football and baseball games at the high school and college level.  It was fun to learn that Myron and his crew officiated last Friday’s exciting Iowa 4A State Championship football game between Dowling Catholic and Cedar Falls (Dowling Catholic won its sixth consecutive state title). 

Myron has officiated many state championship and title games.  Congratulations on another one, Myron! 

Andersons Honored by Iowa Sister States

ABI Vice President Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson last week learned that her family (husband Dale and children Erin and Nathan) has been selected by Iowa Sister States to receive a 2018 Robert D. Ray Sister States Service Award.  Named for the late former Governor Bob Ray, the award recognizes the ways in which the Anderson Family has supported the mission of Iowa Sister States.  That includes hosting two foreign exchange students and many other actives.  Congratulations to the Andersons!