Final Board Meeting of 2016 Wednesday - Monday Memo 11/7/16
November 7, 2016
Board, Executive Committee to Meet Wednesday; Board Information Sent Last Week
Both the ABI Board of Directors and the ABI Executive Committee will meet Wednesday (November 9). ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) will call to order the final board meeting of 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at the ABI office in Des Moines.
Guest speakers, operational reports, and other important items are on the agenda for the meeting. In addition, the board will receive the annual audit and will act on a number of other important items.
If you haven't already done so, please register your attendance for the meeting by clicking on https://www.cvent.com/c/express/ca0b71fa-8ede-4112-a277-bf77e2afef36. Or, simply reply to this message and I'll make sure you are registered.
A link to access the usual packet of reports and reference materials was distributed by email last Wednesday. If you did not receive that message, please let me know and the information will be sent to you at once. In the meantime and on behalf of our ABI officers, I look forward to seeing you Wednesday.
Sign-Up Now for ABI Election Update
Some of you have told me how much you enjoy receiving the ABI Election Update. I have been remiss in not more frequently reminding all of you about this terrific publication.
Published by the ABI team, the Update is an inside look at politics and campaigns. It has the very latest Iowa political news and it comes to subscribers' email in-box each Monday morning. Perhaps best of all, it is free to all ABI members. If you wish to receive the Update and haven't yet subscribed, simply reply to this message and I will make sure you are added to the distribution list.
2017 ABI Legislative Reception on January 11
One of the association's most popular events is the annual legislative reception. ABI members are proud that the reception has traditionally drawn more Iowa legislators (of both parties) than similar events hosted by any other organization. All 150 legislators and Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds have again been invited to join you at the 2017 reception, which will be held January 11 (the same day as the January ABI Board Meeting) at the Embassy Suites on the River, just a couple of blocks from the ABI office in downtown Des Moines.
Mark your calendars now. You can register for the event and find more information about the event by clicking on this link: http://www.cvent.com/d/hvqsxc. Your attendance at this important event is essential for ABI to advance its pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda.
Business Record Iowa Receiving High Marks
You should be receiving the monthly edition of ABI's flagship publication, Business Record Iowa later this week. Published in conjunction with member Business Publications Corporation, BR Iowa took the place of our quarterly publication, IA.biz magazine.
Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham graces the cover of this month's edition of the journal. You'll also find great content about ABI program ands and activities, as well as information about Iowa's competitiveness with regard to its business climate.
When it comes to BR Iowa, members are telling us they really like the greatly increased publishing schedule (from 4 times each year to 12) and the content. Those comments are nice to hear. Just as important is anything we can do to make the new journal even better and more useful to you. Please contact me with any comments or suggestions.
Audit Committee to Meet
The ABI Audit Committee, comprised of ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield), Vice Chair David Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner), and Treasurer David Bywater (Economy Advertising, Iowa City), will hold its annual meeting later this morning. The committee will review the annual audit prior to its presentation to all of you at Wednesday's board meeting.
Second Session of 2016-17 Leadership Iowa Class This Week
As you read in last week's Memo, the ABI Foundation's 2016-2017 Leadership Iowa class will meet Wednesday through Friday of this week. The class will convene its second session, focused on agriculture and renewable energy, in Sioux Center.
Conference Committee Meets Tomorrow
Committee Chair Amy Jones (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) and the members of the ABI Conference Committee will meet tomorrow in Des Moines. The committee is putting together plans for a spectacular 2017 Taking Care of Business Conference.
The conference will be held in Dubuque June 6-8 of next year. Mark your calendars now and watch for more information soon.
Connecting Statewide Leaders Event in Pella in December
The first 2016-2017 Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held December 8 in Pella. This forum is the next opportunity to participate in the popular series of events ABI has hosted around Iowa over the course of the past few years. A luncheon follows the meeting and you will have a great opportunity to visit with fellow ABI members, meet the new Leadership Iowa class, and develop new customers.
Please mark your calendar and register now using this link: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-7817a4487a5644d1880274b2a27d280f.aspx.
NAM Report Documents Growth
Last week's Monday Economic Report from the National Association of Manufacturers presented information that confirms growth in the American economy. There is a lot of great information in the bulletin and, while the outlook is somewhat static for now, greater growth in the economy is called for in calendar year 2017. If you wish to read the report, please contact me and I will send it to you at once.
EFCO Marks 80 Years of Success
EFCO is a highly-valued ABI member and has been for many years. The company was founded in the depths of the Great Depression. Through hard work, dedication, innovation, and attention to quality, EFCO has grown to be the global leader in its industry.
The company is marking 8 decades of success at events to be held today. It is a pleasure to salute EFCO on the occasion of its 80th anniversary; congratulations to everyone at EFCO, especially company Chairman and CEO and former ABI Chair Al Jennings (EFCO, Des Moines)! Best wishes for many more great years ahead!
Michael Sadler on Cover of Business Record
Each year, the Des Moines Business Record publishes an edition focused on leaders' responses to a survey about business trends and activities. The editors of the publication choose a prominent Des Moines business leader to feature on the cover.
This year, the Business Record chose longtime ABI Board Member Michael Sadler (CenturyLink, Des Moines) to be the cover feature. Michael is a perfect choice for this honor; congratulations, Michael!
Kim Pang and Son Traveling Overseas
Newly-elected ABI Board Member Kim Pang (Diamond Jo Worth, Northwood) has already become a great ABI leader. However, you won't see Kim at this week's board meeting. That is because he will be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia helping his mother and father celebrate his mother's 80th birthday. Kim's son will also be along, marking his 5th overseas trip... pretty good for a 14-year old! Best wishes to Kim and his son on their travels and happy birthday to Mrs. Pang!
Pella Corporation Marks Third Acquisition in Two Years
Longtime ABI member Pella Corporation announced last week that it was acquiring Duratherm Windows, a window manufacturer based in Maine. The acquisition adds 70 employees to Pella Corporation and is the third acquisition in two years. Congratulations to everyone at Pella, including ABI Board Member Brent Kjellberg (Pella Corporation, Pella)!
I Missed Bill Trent's Birthday AGAIN
There I go again. Last week, I noted that several ABI leaders were celebrating birthdays and I forgot to mention former ABI Chair Bill Trent (Kent Corporation, Muscatine). Bill celebrated his birthday on October 16. In addition to being a former ABI leader, Bill is also a former state legislator and is still active in business affairs for Kent. Happy belated birthday, Bill Trent!
The Business of ABI; Strong Results in 2016
Editor's Note: The following is a message that has become a tradition about this time each year; it has been edited for accuracy and so that it objectively applies to the current year
When I created the Monday Memo, my goal was to provide you with sort of an “inside baseball” view of what is happening at ABI each week. Too many times, this weekly memo becomes simply a list of upcoming events. Given that, I especially like to share news related to developments and projects (other than events) and news of what is happening with your fellow board members and past chairs. And, I like to share news regarding what I call the business of ABI.
The business of ABI refers to key information about the metrics that provide insights as to whether or not our association is achieving the goals you establish for it every year. In that regard and in keeping with a tradition started a decade ago, I typically share some information in the memo that appears the week of the final board meeting of the year to provide some information about association results during the past 12 months.
For many years, I listed several bullet points related to ABI's work in public policy, programs, with the work of the ABI Foundation, and as it pertains to our operational and financial success. Because that became repetitive, I took a different tack the last few years and I'll do that again now.
Let me simply say that ABI experienced strong results in 2016. I need to point out that is not just rhetoric. Simply saying something is the case does not make it so. In measurable ways, ABI enjoyed success this year. When it comes to public policy advocacy, membership growth, participation in events, conference revenue, Foundation programs, creation of new initiatives, and in so many other ways, 2016 has been a truly strong year.
ABI board members demand results. Thanks to your leadership and thanks to a hard-working staff at both ABI and the ABI Foundation, strong results were achieved. THANK YOU.