Fabulous Opening Planned for 2016 Conference - Monday Memo 8/24/15

Do NOT Miss the Gala Opening Reception of the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference!

It is rare for us to talk about the June conference in August of the preceding year.  But ladies and gentlemen, I begin this week's memo by saying that you truly do not wish to miss it!  ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown) and Conference Chair Kim Didier (DMACC, Ankeny) promise a different conference experience and they are starting off BIG. 

The exciting new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Sioux City has already become one of Iowa's most popular venues.  That facility's brand new outdoor concert stage will be the site of the Gala Opening Reception on Tuesday, June 14 and will be the location of the 'biggest and baddest' ABI kick-off ever.  After seeing the Hard Rock during a site visit to Sioux City last week, I can guarantee that you want to be there for this event!  As always, registration will open in January, but in the meantime, put June 14-16 on your calendar NOW. 

First ABI Board Meeting of FY 15 on September 23

Finalize your plans now to join ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown) and members of the ABI Board of Directors for the September board meeting.  The board will meet at the ABI headquarters in Downtown Des Moines' East Village on September 23.  As usual, a detailed meeting packet and map will be sent to all board members and former chairs a week prior to the meeting

Special highlights of the meeting include welcoming newly-elected board members to their first meeting and adoption of 2016 ABI public policy positions.  Be sure to join your ABI colleagues and participate in this important meeting. 

As I noted in last week’s Memo, the September board meeting is typically well-attended and many of you have told me you already have this meeting on your calendar.  I hope the rest of you do as well.  On behalf of Paul and our other officers, I look forward to seeing you in Des Moines.

Participate in the IIPAC Auction and Support ABI

In last week's memorandum, I told you again about the auction benefitting ABI's political arm, the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee.  IIPAC is led by a board of directors full of committed business leaders and donors and it is chaired by former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee).  There are some wonderful packages on which to bid and all proceeds go to support our political work.  If you want to see information about the specific items for bid, pleas reply to this message and I'll send it to you at once. 

Seventh Annual ABI Executive Open One Week from Today

Seven years ago, ABI created an event to provide an opportunity for members (and prospective members) to have fun and network with each other.  It was a huge success, with members saying they greatly appreciated the informal, relaxed nature of the event.

Thus, the event has become part of ABI’s yearly schedule and the seventh-annual ABI Executive Open Best Ball Event will be held Monday, August 31.  This year's Open will be played at one of Iowa's most beautiful private clubs, Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines. 

As has become the norm for this event, golf is sold-out.  You can get on a waiting list for golf and/or register for the social event follows golf at the Open's webpage at http://www.cvent.com/events/abi-executive-open-2015/event-summary-7986453c0e234e2a8cb8026598c1ae36.aspx.  Join your ABI colleagues for a great afternoon.

Policy Meetings Conclude; Record Participation Marks Meetings

ABI member company representative Russ Cross (Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, West Des Moines) chairs the ABI Economic Growth Committee.  Longtime ABI board member and leader Larry Countryman (Wilson Trailer Company, Sioux City) chairs the ABI Tax Committee.  With the adjournment of meetings of those two committees last week, the association marked the completion of the annual policy meeting process.  Literally hundreds of ABI members from all across Iowa and beyond participated in the 2015 series of meetings.  The process now shifts to the ABI Legislative Committee and then will conclude with the meeting of the ABI Board of Directors on September 23. 

On behalf of ABI Vice Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton  Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield), Marshalltown), who this year leads this process for ABI, thank you for your participation in this important work.

Here is the Link for LIU

In last week's Memo, I shared information about the just-completed opening session of the ABI Foundation's 2015-2016 Leadership Iowa University program.  I also tried to share a link with information about the class.  Well, I included the wrong link.  Here is the correct link: http://www.leadershipiowauniversity.com/en/meet_the_201516_class/.

The year's LIU class is perhaps the best ever.  One of the young leaders is Ali Krogman, daughter of ABI Board Member John Krogman (Connect-A-Dock, Atlantic).  Ali was an intern for ABI and the ABI Foundation this past summer and she is a terrific young woman.  Watch for more information about LIU in the coming months.

YPIowa Conference September 24, 25 in Carroll

The ABI Foundation provides administrative support to Young Professionals of Iowa, our state's leading organization for young professionals.  And as you know, YPIowa's biggest annual event is the YPIowa Conference.  The 2015 edition of that event will be held on September 25 in Carroll.

You and your employees are also invited and you can register 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 and evening.  Both days will feature interesting speakers and topics designed to help YPs gain information to positively impact their employers and their communities.  Click on the above link for more information.

CNN Money Story Highlights Great ABI Century Companies

Four ABI member companies, each with over 100 years of success, were highlighted in a news story published byCNN Money last week.  The four, American (Jolly Time)  Pop Corn Company, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Emerson/Fisher, and Lisle Corporation were all cited for their longevity and success.

Click on this link: http://money.cnn.com/2015/08/19/smallbusiness/iowa-manufacturing/index.html?section=money_latest to read this great story.  Congratulations to all involved, including the Smith Family (American Pop Corn Company, Sioux City), former ABI Chairs Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic)and Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee), ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown), and the Lisle Family, including ABI Board Member Mary Landhuis (Lisle Corporation, Clarinda)!

Conference Speaker Dan Houston Named Principal President and CEO

Attendees of the 2015 ABI Taking Care of Business Conference gave high marks to Dan Houston (Principle Financial Group, Des Moines) for his address about that company's business plan and growth model.  Last week, Dan was named Principal's new President and CEO, following Larry Zimpleman (Principal Financial Group, Des Moines). 

Dan assumed his new role immediately.  Best wishes to him and to everyone at the company, including longtime ABI Board Member Merle Pederson (Principal Financial Group, Des Moines).

Hanawalt Elected Wartburg Regent

Immediate ABI Past Chair Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly) is a well-known Iowa business leader.  Some may not know he is also and Iowa education leader, having played important roles at several Iowa colleges.

Most recently, Mark was elected to the Board of Regents for Wartburg College in Waverly.  Congratulations, Mark!

Dust Achieves Recertification

ABI Board Member Steve Dust (Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, Waterloo) last week was awarded re-certification by the International Economic Development Council.  This prestigious designation is the highest awarded to economic development professionals.  Congratulations, Steve!

Rand Fisher Celebrates Tomorrow

Longtime ABI Board Member Rand Fisher (Iowa Area Development Group, West Des Moines) will celebrate his birthday tomorrow.  It was a year ago this time that Rand was recuperating from a serious bicycle accident.  In typical style, he never complained, but the recuperation was lengthy and arduous.

It is great to see Rand now doing well (and he has been back on his bike for some time).  More than ever, it is wonderful to wish him the best.  Happy birthday, Rand!

Another 50th for Steve Roberts

In last week's memorandum, you read about the 50th anniversary of the wedding of ABI Board Member Steve Roberts (Davis Brown Law Firm, Des Moines) and his terrific wife, Dawn.  Well, Steve is marking another 50th anniversary, as last Thursday was the 50th anniversary of his joining the Des Moines law firm that now bears his name: Davis, Brown Koehn, Shors & Roberts.  Congratulations again, Steve, and very best wishes!