Executive Committee to Meet - Monday Memo 12/10/18
December 10, 2018
ABI Executive Committee to Hold Final 2018 Teleconference Wednesday; First 2019 Board Meeting Next Month
The ABI Executive Committee, chaired by David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City), will hold its final meeting of the calendar year Wednesday. After that, the next ABI leadership meeting will be held next month. The first ABI Board of Directors meeting of 2019 will be held on Wednesday, January 16.
At the meeting, the latest updates regarding critical association business will be a focus, as will issues related to (what will then be) the just-convened 2019 session of the Iowa General Assembly.
Your attendance at this meeting and at the ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception that follows is essential (see more information below). Please finalize your plans to attend and thank you in advance for making the ABI events of January 16 a priority.
Look for Insurance Plan Survey Later Today
As you know, the ABI Board of Directors has been considering the development of an ABI health insurance program and/or a multiple employer wellness association (MEWA) for some months. As was discussed at last month’s board meeting, member interest in such a plan has not been strong. Still, before determining that developing an ABI plan is not something to pursue (at least for now), the board directed a survey of all ABI members be conducted.
In a little over two hours, at 9:00 this morning, primary contacts for all ABI member companies will receive a brief email survey. Please be on the lookout for the survey and complete it at your convenience. The results of the survey will be shared and discussed at the January board meeting. If you have questions or comments about this issue, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Quarterly ABI Iowa Business Survey to Close Wednesday
Speaking of surveys, all board members and former Chairs of the Board should have received an email message from me last Wednesday or Thursday related to the ABI Quarterly Iowa Business Survey. This survey applies to the first quarter of 2019. The survey is now underway and it will close at the end of the day Wednesday, December 12.
If you haven’t already completed the survey, which takes just a couple of minutes, please do so now. Survey results will be tabulated and shared with you, the public, and the media. Thank you for your participation in this new initiative.
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Officials, Legislators Want to See You at 2019 ABI Legislative Event; Register Now
ABI knows that Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, other state officials, and legislators of both parties attend the ABI Legislative Reception so they can see YOU. As you know, this event is one of the most popular events ABI hosts all year long. Also as you know, it is likely that over 500 people will attend the event, including more legislators of both parties than at any other similar event. I pointed out last week that the attendance of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, coupled with that of so many legislators and other state officials, is one more confirmation of your importance to Iowa policy makers. They attend because YOU attend.
The ABI staff is busy finalizing details related to the 2019 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, which will be held Wednesday, January 16 at the Iowa Events Center (Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center) in downtown Des Moines. The briefing is your opportunity to hear the latest about legislative news and about ABI's agenda. You can then head right into the reception and share comments with your local legislators. Your participation and interaction with legislators is what makes this event a must-attend for Iowa policy-makers.
Go to the ABI Events webpage and click on http://www.cvent.com/events/2019-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-b4df5045c6f5442eb13203762724b123.aspx. You’ll find all the information you need and can follow the easy instructions to register now. See you on January 16.
Members Use ABI Online Directory
About 24 months ago, ABI’s new online member directory became operational. This is just a reminder that the new directory allows you to check member company information, search industry partners, connect with ABI colleagues, and much more. Find the online directory log-in page here: https://www.iowaabi.org/member-directory/login/.
Advisory Council Members Add Value
Members of the ABI Advisory Council do much to advance the work of the association. Their leadership and support is never taken for granted. They have played a very large part in the increase in quality and quantity of ABI programs across Iowa.
Thank you to the members of the council for their work in 2018. And welcome to some new members for 2019. Thank you to 21st Century Rehab, BCC Advisers, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Far Reach, Focus OneSource, HDH Advisors, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Principal Financial Group, Shift Interactive, Tero, The Iowa Clinic, Transition Point Business Advisors, Wellmark, and Wells Fargo.
Clinton Regional Development Commission Annual Meeting Wednesday
ABI is fortunate to have many member partners who do big things for Iowa. One of these is the Clinton Regional Development Corporation, one of Iowa’s greatest development organizations. The CRDC Annual Meeting will be held in Clinton on Wednesday. Congratulations to the organization on a very successful 2018 and to two of its longtime leaders, ABI board members Tom Determann (CRDC, Clinton) and Rich Phelan (LyondellBasell, Clinton)!
Busy Time for ABI Foundation Programs; Oskaloosa LI Session Big Success
As usual, this time of year is a busy one for the ABI Foundation. For example, the 2018-2019 Leadership Iowa Class held its third session last week in Oskaloosa. The class heard from an incredible array of terrific speakers. You'll have an opportunity to meet the class at next month's ABI legislative reception.
NAM Report: U.S. Economy Growing at 3 Percent Year to Year
As you know from my frequent mention of them, I pay close attention to the publications of the National Association of Manufacturers. NAM publications are first-rate, and the Monday Economic Report is no exception.
Last week's Report led with an article that cited data showing that the U.S. Economy grew at a rate of 3.5 percent in the last quarter. Further, the annual growth rate is expected to be around 3 percent year over year. As always, there was also lots of other good information. Please reply to this message if you wish to read the report.
Charles Sukup Joins Iowa State Faculty
Iowa State University announced last week that former ABI Chair and company President Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) has joined the ISU Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering. Charles was appointed to a faculty position advising the Department Chair and as a lecturer in some advanced courses.
Charles, of course, holds two degrees in Ag Engineering from Iowa State, also holds several patents, and is the very successful leader of his family’s business. He is a perfect choice for this position. Congratulations to Charles!
Celebrate at Shine Bros. Corp. Annual Holiday Party Friday
Don’t miss the annual Shine Bros. Corp. Holiday Party. This year’s event will be held Friday 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 Vicki at Shine Bros. at (712) 262-5579, extension 113, or vicki@shinebros.com. See you there!
Jim Tyler, Atlantic Bottling Honored
At a ceremony held in Des Moines last month, former ABI Chair Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) was awarded a Quilt of Valor. Quilts of Valor are awarded by the Quilts of Valor Foundation, whose members honor veterans for their service and thank them for their service by presenting hand-made quilts. Jim, of course, is a P-38 fighter pilot and veteran of World War II. Jim flew multiple combat missions in Italy from 1943-1946. Thank you for your service and congratulations, Jim!
In October, Atlantic Bottling was designated a Patriotic Employer by the National Guard and Reserve. The company was nominated by veterans who are employees and selected for the honor by Guard leadership. Congratulations to everyone at Atlantic Bottling, including Jim and former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines)!
Steve Dust Celebrates
ABI Board Member Steve Dust (Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation, Ottumwa) celebrates his birthday today. Happy birthday, Steve!
The Business of ABI: Reserves Untouched for Twelfth Consecutive Year; “Best We Can Be”
Please allow me one operational note, one that I often share this time of year. For the twelfth consecutive year, ABI has not tapped its budgetary reserves. As you know, that is a reversal of an untenable situation that saw the association tap reserves for several years in a row. In fact, thanks to your leadership, ABI is growing. Why is that important? Because it allows the association to aggressively advance the agenda developed by the board and to serve members. Thank you -- and thanks to every ABI member -- for making that the case.
As I think about the year coming to a close, I am mindful of something Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill said in his remarks at that group’s annual meeting last Wednesday. Farm Bureau is celebrating 100 years as an organization this year (something ABI celebrated 15 years ago). Mr. Hill said Farm Bureau was beginning its work for another century of success by doing the most important thing it can do as a first step… that is, being the very best organization it can be TODAY.
That resonated with me and I appreciated Craig’s thought. That is a mission we embrace at ABI each year and again, thanks to all ABI members and to the ABI Board of Directors, it is achieved.