Executive Open TODAY - Monday Memo 8/31/15

Today:  The 2015 ABI Executive Open

One of the most popular of events hosted by the association each year is the annual ABI Executive Open.  The 2015 Open will begin with a shotgun start at noon today at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines.

The event is a way for members to connect with each other in a fun way and I have been told frequently that a lot of business is conducted at the outing every year.  Golf has been sold-out for weeks, but there is still plenty of room to participate in the reception following golf.   Join your ABI colleagues for the reception at 5:00 this afternoon. 

Second ABI DC Fly-In in Two Weeks

Two years ago, to rave reviews from participants, a small group of ABI leaders flew to Washington, DC for three days of meetings and Congressional visits.  Another ABI expedition will head to DC in two weeks.

Meetings with all six members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation, briefings by the National Association of Manufacturers, BIPAC, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and others, and terrific networking time will mark the trip.  Watch for more news as it develops.  Thank you in advance for those ABI leaders making the trip.

Board to Meet September 23

As you know, ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown) and members of the association’s Board of Directors will convene September 23 for the first meeting of the fiscal year.  This is an important meeting and the board will be asked to consider and act on several issues. 

The board will meet at ABI in Des Moines' East Village.  The agenda is a full one, with several important issues to be considered.  Be on the lookout for a board packet and map to arrive in your email in-basket later this month.  The agenda will include action on the association’s 2016 policy recommendations, program reports, and other important issues. 

Please register now for the meeting by clicking on http://www.cvent.com/events/september-abi-board-meeting/event-summary-7a25e1c6216e462f9a0b3e157b760efc.aspx.  Your participation in this meeting is important and thank you in advance for attending.

Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner September 29

The first ever Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner is turning in to a huge event.  The program was created by ABI's Elevate Advanced Manufacturing program and it will be held at Prairie Meadows Events center in Altoona on the evening of September 29.

You do not want to miss this event!  Register now by clicking on the following link:/index.cfm/11274/68333/legends_in_manufacturing_awards_dinner).  Sponsorship opportunities also remain and if you wish to see information about them, please reply to this message.

By the way, the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference will be held the next day, so contact Prairie Meadows to make a hotel reservation.  You can do that here: http://www.prairiemeadows.com/.  See more information below about the conference.

High-Value Program at Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference September 30

ABI, along with the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State, and Des Moines Area Community College, is pleased to present the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference 2015.  The conference will be held in Altoona on September 30. 

The speakers for this event are terrific.  Click on the link below and go to "Agenda" to see the detailed line-up of keynote speakers and breakouts that will come your way at the conference.  This event will provide terrific value for conference attendees.

Register now for this important conference.  Do so at http://www.cvent.com/events/iowa-s-advanced-manufacturing-conference-2015/event-summary-6b0a2a2b098a4c248967d681a3d989d7.aspx.  See you there.

Legislative Committee to Meet

The ABI Legislative Committee, chaired by ABI Vice Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield)will meet tomorrow at ABI.  The meeting will mark the second-to-last step in the annual policy development process.

Following on the many meetings held in Des Moines and around Iowa before it, the meeting Tuesday will result in a final set of polices being developed for action by and your fellow board members later this month.  Look for the final policy draft in your September board packet.

YPIowa Conference September 24, 25 in  Carroll

As you have read in the last couple of Monday Memos, Young Professionals of Iowa (our state's leading organization for young professionals) will hold its annual conference in a couple of weeks.  The 2015 YPIowa conference will be held on September 25 in Carroll.  Find more information at http://ypiowa.com/events/yp-iowa-conference/.  The conference actually begins the day before, on September 24, with a series of events that afternoon. 

Latest edition of BCC Advisers' baton is Good Reading

Like many of you, I enjoy reading good business books and publications.  There is always something to learn by reading about best practices utilized by other successful companies and organizations.  Some of the best business information is found in the newsletters of ABI member company publications.

The most recent example of that is the latest edition of baton, the newsletter published by ABI member company BCC Advisers.  From the column by company president and ABI Board Member Steve Jacobs (BCC Advisers, Des Moines), to a cover story about approaching potential buyers, to an article about productive relationships (and more), the newsletter is packed with great information.  Click here to read it for yourself:http://www.bccadvisers.com/documents/newsletters/610d41440438331915.pdf.  Congratulations to Steve and his team for another high-value edition of the newsletter.

Myron Linn, Steve Fry Attend ESGR Boss Lift

Former ABI Chair Myron Linn (Pella Corporation, Pella) and ABI Advisory Council Member Steve Fry (Spindustry, West Des Moines) recently had an experience open to all ABI executives.  Myron and Steve participated in "Boss Lift" sponsored by Iowa Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

July 28 and 29, ESGR, in cooperation with the Iowa National Guard, flew Myron and Steve to Fort Polk, Louisiana.  There, they viewed Iowa soldiers in joint mobilization exercises in the field.  Myron reports that about 4,000 Iowa-based troops were there and they were "very busy."  Thank you to Myron and Steve!  If you would like more information and/or are interested in participating in future Boss Lift operations, please contact me.

Sukups Celebrate Anniversary Thursday

Thursday is a big day for former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) and his wife, Mary Sukup.  Charles and Mary will celebrate their 32nd anniversary on Thursday.  As always, congratulations and best wishes to Charles and Mary! 

Mykal Sadler is Volleyball, Newspaper Star

You have read previously in these memos that ABI Board Member Michael Sadler (CenturyLink, Des Moines) is the father of a special young woman.  His daughter, Mykal, is a star athlete at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines and is headed to the University of Missouri Kansas City on a volleyball scholarship following high school.

Mykal was the focus of a feature in the Des Moines Register last week, which you can read here:http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/08/24/mykal-sadler-dowling-catholic-volleyball/32137567/.  Congratulations to Mykal -- and to Michael!

Big Happenings for Mores Children

Longtime ABI Board Member Alan Mores (Harlan Newspapers, Harlan) and his wife, Donna Mores, are the parents of two great children.  Son Jackson has completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State and will soon take the MCAT.  Daughter Chandler, after working in the Iowa Great Lakes area this summer, will begin her sophomore year at Stanford University in California.  Chandler was selected for the prestigious Sophomore College program at Stanford and will be heading to New York City and Washington, DC for specialized programs.  Congratulations to Jackson and Chandler... and their parents!