Final 2021 Leadership Meeting This Week - Monday Memo 12/6/21
December 6, 2021
ABI Executive Committee to Hold Final 2021 Teleconference Thursday; First 2022 Board Meeting Next Month
The ABI Executive Committee, chaired by Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa), will hold its final meeting of the calendar year Thursday. After that, the next ABI leadership meeting will be held next month. The first ABI Board of Directors meeting of 2022 will be held on Wednesday, January 12.
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 2022 session of the Iowa General Assembly. Your participation in this meeting is important. Please finalize your plans to do so and thank you in advance for making the ABI meeting on January 12 a priority.
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Officials, Legislators Want to See You at 2022 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 2022 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, which will be held Wednesday, January 12 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 Summary - Legislative Briefing and Reception (cvent.com). You’ll find all the information you need and can follow the easy instructions to register now. See you January 12.
Quarterly ABI Iowa Business Survey to Close Today
All board members and former Chairs of the Board should have received an email message from me a week ago related to the ABI Quarterly Iowa Business Survey. This survey applies to the first quarter of 2022. The survey is now underway and it will close at the end of the day today.
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.
Pella LI Session Big Success; ABI Statewide Leaders Event Draws Crowd, Board Members Attend
As usual, this time of year is a busy one for the ABI Foundation. For example, the 2021-2022 Leadership Iowa Class held its third session last week in Pella. The class heard from an incredible array of terrific speakers, including ABI Board Members Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Urbandale) and Mindi VandenBosch (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and former ABO Board Member Jenae Jenison (Central College, Pella). You'll have an opportunity to meet the class, which include ABI Board Member Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City), at next month's ABI legislative reception.
By the way, a part of the LI session included the latest in ABI’s “Connecting Statewide Leaders” series of events. A terrific panel of manufacturing leaders from Pella companies was the highlight of that event. Special thanks to ABI board members who made the trip to Pella to attend, including former ABI Chair Mary Andringa (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and Kelly Barrick (CIBC, West Des Moines).
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 2021. Thank you to ACS, Anthologic, BCC Advisers, BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Focus OneSource, Fredrikson & Byron, HDH Advisors, LMC Insurance and Risk Management (AssuredPartners), Principal, The Iowa Clinic, and Wells Fargo.
Members Use ABI Online Directory
A couple of years 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/.
NAM Reports Mixed Data
Today’s Monday Economic Report from the National Association of Manufacturers provides mixed data. In fact, the headline for the week notes that manufacturing unemployment claims are down and that manufacturing employment is up.
New orders for manufactured goods increased and positive and negative data points are highlighted. Read about this and more in the report. If you wish to see the report for yourself, simply reply to this message and I’ll get it to you at once.
Mike Holderness, Father-in-Law of JD Davis, Passes
There was some difficult news for the family of ABI Vice President Public Policy JD Davis recently, as his father-in-law, Mike Holderness, passed away in Des Moines late last month. JD reports that Mr. Holderness was a great guy. Read more about his wonderful life here: Michael Holderness Obituary, Des Moines, Iowa :: Iles Funeral Homes. Our thoughts and prayers are with JD, his wife Lauren, and their family.
The Business of ABI: Reserves Untouched for 14th Consecutive Year
Please allow me one operational note, one that I often share this time of year. For the 14th 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 the early 2000’s. 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.