Governor to Join ABI Members Next Week - Monday Memo 2/27/23

February 27, 2023

Governor Confirmed for Business Day on the Hill; Event Takes Place Week from Tomorrow

During the first quarter of the year, much of ABI's work focuses on public policy and the Iowa General Assembly.  That work will now be highlighted by ABI’s newest annual event, Business Day in Des Moines, a luncheon that will bring business leaders together to hear from Iowa’s top officials.  Making the event even more special, ABI learned last week that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds WILL be on hand to address attendees at the event.  The Governor joins all four legislative leaders (from both parties and both chambers) and popular ABI member Kavi Chawla (Baton Global, Des Moines) as speakers for the event. 

ABI Business Day in Des Moines 2023 will be held Tuesday, March 7 (one week from tomorrow and the same day as the next ABI board meeting) at Embassy Suites Des Moines Downtown in Des Moines’ East Village.  To register (140 of you already have) or find more information, click here: Summary - Business Day in Des Moines (cvent.com).  See you next week! 

Cobot Automation Summit Rescheduled; Will be Held March 9 in Algona

Due to the inclement weather that hit Iowa last week, ABI’s Cobot Automation Summit had to be postponed two weeks.  The summit will now be held on Thursday, March 9th.  It will take place on the campus of Iowa Lakes Community College in Algona.  ABI is partnering with the college and member company Kinetic Technologies to produce this high-value seminar.  The session will provide an informative and interactive program about bringing automation to your company and lunch will be served.  70 people are already registered and there is still time for your team to participate.  Click here for more information and to register: Summary - Cobot Automation Summit (cvent.com).  

2023 Convention Website Live; Register for Convention NOW!

Many of you have already made your reservations for the ABI Annual Convention, the 2023 ABI Taking Care of Business Conference.  For those who have not yet registered, you can do so now.  Simply click on Taking Care of Business Conference | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) for all kinds of information about the convention and its speakers and terrific Cedar Rapids venues.  

Based on our fantastic speakers, fabulous Cedar Rapids location, and great program, I can assure you this 120th annual convention, which will be held June 13-15, will be a spectacular event.  The bottom line is that you simply won’t want to miss it.  Click on the link above and make your convention reservation now. 

Nicole Crain Appointed to BIPAC Board

ABI is pleased to work with several national partners.  One of these has long been BIPAC (formerly Business and Industry Political Action Committee) in Washington, DC.  BIPAC is a bipartisan organization focused on empowering employees to become pro-jobs voters. 

It is exciting to announce that ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain has been appointed to the BIPAC Board of Directors.  Nicole is a perfect choice for the board and her knowledge and leadership will only serve to make BIPAC (and partners such as ABI) even more effective in educating voters.  Read more here: ABI’s Nicole Crain Appointed to National Bi-Partisan Board of Directors | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).  Congratulations, Nicole! 

Leadership Iowa Class in Waverly

Waverly is the location of the next session of the 2022-2023 Leadership Iowa class, which will be held this week.  Some members of the class will convene Wednesday evening.  The majority of the session will take place Thursday and Friday and will focus on education.  This group of class members has been another in a string of terrific LI classes.  Look for more information at the board meeting on March 7. 

ABI Board to Meet Next Week; May Meeting in Des Moines

The next meeting of the ABI Board of Directors will be held a week from tomorrow, on Tuesday, March 7.  ABI Chair Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines) will call the meeting to order that afternoon at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Des Moines’ East Village.  

As you have read previously and in addition to an important meeting, the board will also participate in Business Day in Des Moines on that day.  See you in Des Moines on March 7.  The board’s next meeting will be held in Des Moines on May 10.  Watch for more information soon.  

Business Horizons to be held in July; Register Your Students Now

Business Horizons, the ABI Foundation’s annual entrepreneurism experience for high school students, will be held July 16-20 on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines. All students in grades 9-12 can register to participate by clicking here: www.BusinessHorizonsIowa.org

The program brings together students from across Iowa to learn about the opportunities that exist here. All throughout the week, dynamic speakers, business tours, and valuable workshops help demonstrate these opportunities. The program’s curriculum also incorporates an on-campus, independent living experience and the unique ability to work as part of a cross-functional, leadership team. 

2023 marks the 40th year of Business Horizons. Your employees, whether they serve as industry advisors or in other roles, are critical to the continued success of this important program.  Thank you for your support!  Please watch for more information and updates about Business Horizons in the coming months. 

Next Legislative Update Zoom March 10

ABI Vice President Public Policy JD Davis and Director Public Policy Brad Hartkopf will again host a Zoom update to give you the very latest information from the Statehouse.  Updates on bills, legislative proposals, state actions, and other matters will be covered in the call.  Your specific questions about those topics are also very much welcomed. 

The next update will be held a week from this Friday, on March 10th, at 8:00 a.m. and you and your employees are encouraged to participate.  The members-only call is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register at Legislative Update (Members Only) | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).    

Biennial Workers Compensation Seminar March 28

Every two years, ABI hosts a Workers Compensation Seminar.  This year's event will be held on March 28 at ABI.  

The program will include the latest information on the subject, as well as information about best practices being utilized by other companies.  Click here for more information and to register: Summary - Workers' Compensation Seminar (cvent.com).  

Subscribe to New ABI Partners CBJ, QCBJ at 50 Percent Off

As you know, starting January 1, ABI entered into a new partnership with longtime member Corridor Media Group, publisher of the Corridor Business Journal and the Quad Cities Business Journal.  ABI’s brand new newsprint journal, the Business Monthly, is carried twice each month (once in each magazine).  You should receive a copy of the Business Monthly inside the CBJ/QCBJ as a function of your being an ABI board member. 

Many of you have asked about subscribing so that you can receive ALL the CBJ/QCBJ editions (not just the ones that carry the ABI magazine).  Corridor Media Group is making it possible for you to subscribe at 50 percent off the regular subscription rate.  If you subscribe, you will also receive the company’s other publications, such as Corridor Leaders 250, Corridor Largest Privately Held Companies Index, and Quad Cities Leaders. As a subscriber, you would also receive full-access to the CBJ or QCBJ website.  If interested, please reply to this memorandum and I’ll connect you with the Corridor Media Group folks. 

Next Connecting Statewide Leaders Event in April in Sioux City; Durham to Speak

The next ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held April 13 in Sioux City.  A popular ABI speaker will provide the program:  Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham.  As you can guess, the event will focus on economic development in Iowa.  Click here for more information and to register: Agenda - Connecting Statewide Leaders - Sioux City (cvent.com).  These programs are ways to gain information and connect with your fellow ABI members, Leadership Iowa Class members, and others. 

NAM Report: Mixed

Last week's edition of the National Association of Manufacturers'Monday Economic Report is mixed.  The publication reports that inflation moderated somewhat, but prices continue to be on the rise.  It highlights several data points that confirm a great deal of volatility.  If you wish to read the report for yourself, simply reply to this memo and I will get it to you at once. 

It’s 65 Years for Winnebago in 2023

Another terrific ABI member is celebrating a major milestone in 2023.  Longtime member Winnebago Industries is marking its 65th anniversary this year!  It was in 1958, in Forest City, that the company started doing business with 17 employees.  Over the decades since, the company has added thousands of employees, acquired other businesses, and is an industry leader in outdoor recreational vehicles on land AND water.  Congratulations to all involved, including ABI Board Member and officer Chad Reece (Winnebago, Forest City)!  Best wishes for the next 65 years of success!