Executive Committee Teleconference Tomorrow - Monday Memo 12/7/15

December 7, 2015

ABI Executive Committee to Hold Final 2015 Teleconference Tomorrow; First 2016 Exec/Board Meetings Next Month (Save by Registering NOW for Annual Briefing/Reception)

The ABI Executive Committee, chaired by Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown) will hold its final meeting of the calendar year Tuesday.  After that, the committee will next meet immediately prior to the first ABI Board of Directors meeting of 2016.  The board will meet on Wednesday, January 13.  Please register here (at no charge) for the board meeting: http://www.cvent.com/events/january-abi-board-meeting/event-summary-d9e77b4c96924f119d84d13a46d3895c.aspx.   This will be an important meeting and I hope you can all attend.  The latest updates regarding critical association business will be a focus, as will issues related to (what will then be) the just-convened 2016 session of the Iowa General Assembly. 

Your attendance at this meeting and at the ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception that follows is essential.  Please finalize your plans to attend and register now for the event.  If you do so and if you have your employees register for the briefing/reception now, you can all take advantage of the early-bird registration and save.  Please go tohttp://www.cvent.com/events/2016-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-385f50e9e00448858051fbe8a55ce00b.aspx for registration and event information.  Thank you in advance for making the ABI events of January 13 a priority.

Waverly Connecting Statewide Leaders Event Thursday

As you have read in previous editions of this memorandum, ABI is hosting another in a series of events around Iowa to bring together business leaders, young professionals, and others.  The Connecting Statewide Leaders events have been a big success.  The connections being made are terrific and they have led to new members (and new business for members). 

The next event in the series will be held Thursday at Wartburg College in Waverly.  Register now at:http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-8ee90de12dca4033abf381fe72be4a07.aspx.  See you in Waverly on Thursday. 

Leadership Iowa Class Headed to Waverly

As you read in last week's Memo, the third session of the 2015-2016 Leadership Iowa Class will be held in Waverly later this week.  Class members will meet Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  The session will focus on education in Iowa and a terrific slate of speakers is on tap.

BIPAC Meetings This Week

The Business-Industry Political Action Committee, based in Washington, D.C., is a key partner for IIPAC, ABI's political arm.  The organization is holding its 2015 meetings this week in Alabama and ABI will be well-represented. 

ABI Communications Coordinator Emily Schettler is attending on behalf of our organization.  Look for news of any developments in future editions of this memorandum.

NAM Report Highlights 3rd Quarter Growth

Last week's edition of the National Association of Manufacturers' Monday Economic Report included a lead story about the pace of growth in the U.S. economy.  While growth for the 3rd Quarter had been predicted to be 1.5 percent, it was actually 2.1 percent. 

Six tenths of a percent may not seem like much, but given the relatively static state of the economy this year, six tenths more growth than expected is good news.  The article cites that and other factors that are contributing to optimism regarding the coming year.

Please contact me if you wish to read the report and I'll forward it at once.

Sukups Endow Food Security Professorship

Former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) and his wife, Mary Sukup, are leading supporters of their college alma mater, Iowa State University.  Thursday, Charles and Mary will be on hand at ISU as Dr. Thomas Brumm is honored as the first recipient of a new professorship they endowed.

The Mary and Charles Sukup Global Professor in Food Security will serve as source of international  leadership in a critically important field.  Congratulations to Charles and Mary and many thanks for their leadership!

CIPCO Moves to new Headquarters

Central Iowa Power Cooperative is a longtime valued member.  Last week, CIPCO moved into its brand new headquarters in Des Moines.

Another valued ABI member, Saxton, helped design and outfit the space.  Congratulations to everyone at CIPCO, including its CEO, former ABI Chair Dennis Murdock (CIPCO, Des Moines)!

IBHOF Inducts James W. Hubbell, James R. Tyler, and Charese E. Yanney

As I noted in the final Monday Memo of October, three great Iowa business leaders, all with strong ties to ABI, comprise the 2015 class of inductees in to the Iowa Business Hall of Fame.  Last Thursday in Altoona, James W. Hubbell III , James R. Tyler, and Charese E. Yanney were inducted in to the Hall.  It was a truly wonderful evening.

These leaders are well-known; you don't need me to tell you about them.  All I will say, on behalf of ABI and Iowa, is thank you and congratulations to each of them!

Shine Bros. Corp. Annual Holiday Party Friday

If you want to experience some great holiday spirit and see some ABI friends from all over the state, you don’t want to miss the annual Shine Bros. Corp. Holiday Party.  This year’s event will be held this Friday, December 11, at the Shine Bros. headquarters in Spencer.  You’ll see former ABI Chair Toby Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer)and former ABI Board Member Eva Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer).  You’ll see other ABI board members and past chairs.  And you’ll see state officials and Iowa leaders. 

All ABI board members and past chairs are invited.  All you need do is RSVP to Tara at Shine Bros. at (712) 262-5579, extension 110.  Don’t miss this festive annual event!

IADG Hosts Annual Venture Awards Luncheon; Celebrates 30 years

Longtime ABI member Iowa Area Development Group held its annual Venture Awards ceremony last week in West Des Moines.  Eight Iowa companies were recognized for economic accomplishment.  It was another great celebration of the American free enterprise system and the spirit that drives business in our state.

Congratulations to IADG CEO and ABI Board Member Rand Fisher (IADG, West Des Moines) and IADG Board Chairman and former ABI Chair Dennis Murdock (CIPCO, Des Moines) for another great event.  Best wishes too, as IADG celebrated 30 years of powerful partnerships.  Congratulations to everyone involved in this critically important organization and THANK YOU for your work to make Iowa grow over the past three decades!