Manufacturing Conference Ahead - Monday Memo 9/23/24
September 23, 2024
Manufacturing Conference, Legends Luncheon NEXT WEEK
As I noted in last week’s memo, one of ABI’s most popular annual events will soon be here, coming up next week. The 2024 ABI Iowa Manufacturing Conference will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the campus of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny on October 2nd. Register now for this important event at Summary - Iowa Manufacturing Conference & Legends In Manufacturing Awards (cvent.com).
A terrific program has been developed for the event. High-value workshops, manufacturing tours, and two great keynote addresses are on tap. Former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and ABI Board Member Rob Feeney(Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) will speak in the morning and Technology Futurist Jack Shaw in the afternoon. Throw in the annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards and you have a truly great event.
Thank you to the leading sponsors for the event: ABI, EMC, Agri-Industrial Plastics, the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University (CIRAS), Community State Bank, and Sukup Innovations - RAMCO Division. This event has become a must-attend for ABI members in recent years and the Legends Awards are always a fun celebration of Iowa manufacturing. See you next week at DMACC.
Latest Business Monthly Out Today
As you know and in conjunction with ABI member Corridor Media Group, ABI publishes the Business Monthly. The newsprint magazine is distributed to you and to business leaders all across Iowa as a part of the Corridor Business Journal and the Quad Cities Business Journal.
The September edition of the Monthly will publish today and should be in your mailbox soon. It features a great cover story about the state of Iowa manufacturing as seen by some of ABI’s great manufacturing members. We hope you find value in the cover story and the other news featured in ABI’s monthly news journal. If you have not received your copy of ABI’s Business Monthly by the end of the week, please contact me and one will be sent to you at once.
Remember to Complete ABI Survey
A week ago, I sent all board members a message about the ABI Quarterly Iowa Business Survey. You’ll recall the survey was initiated by the board some years ago and has led to the collection of simple trend data and attention for ABI. The most recent survey (for the Fourth Quarter of the calendar year) closes tonight. For those of you have completed the survey, thank you. If you have not yet completed it, it takes only 3 or so minutes to do so. Simply reply to this message and I’ll re-send the link. Thank you in advance for your help.
Biennial ABI DC Fly-In Next Year
At this month’s ABI board meeting, an ABI board member spoke with me about how much he appreciates the ABI Biennial DC Fly-In. He mentioned that he has made DC trips with other organizations in the past, but they aren’t as impactful as the ABI trip. The ABI trip is comprised of a fabulous slate of meetings in Washington DC. There are meetings with each member of the Iowa Congressional delegation in their offices. Not with staff, with the senators and congressional representatives themselves. There are briefings at our national partners such as the National Association of Manufacturers, BIPAC, the US Chamber of Commerce, and others. The trips might include a visit to the White House, or time with national political pundits, or other things. Finally, you will always eat and drink well on these trips.
Why am I sharing this with you now? Because the next Fly-In will likely take place in October of next year. If you have participated on these trips in the past, you know how spectacular they are. If you haven’t yet done so, make your plans now to join next year’s Fly-In.
Leadership Iowa Class Announced; Will Convene in October for First Session
As I shared in last week’s memo, the 2024-2025 Leadership Iowa class has been announced. View the class list here: Current Class & Schedule | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).
As are all LI classes, this class is comprised of terrific young leaders from all around Iowa and they will meet for the first time October 2-5 in Algona. You can view the schedule by clicking on a link on the page linked above and see where the class is headed and what topics will be the focus of each session. Congratulations to class members and best wishes for a great year.
In other Leadership Iowa news, the program’s Board of Governors recently participated in a retreat. LI is the ABI Foundation’s flagship program and over the years, it has helped thousands of Iowans develop their skills to help their communities and their state. Thank you to BOG members for their work.
CIRAS Advisory Council to Meet
The Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University is a key ABI partner and the CIRAS Industry Advisory Council will meet Thursday at ISU. Several ABI member companies are represented on the council and over the years, many members of the ABI Board of Directors have also played leadership roles on the CIRAS Council.
Thursday’s meeting will focus on strategic planning and other issues. Former ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) will make a special presentation about the company she leads. Watch for news of CIRAS events and services to come your way in the near future.
Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference Tomorrow, Wednesday
Every year, ABI and a number of other organizations partner in producing the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference. The 2024 conference will be held tomorrow and Wednesday at the Overland Park Convention Center in suburban Kansas City. The agenda for the conference is packed full of information and your team members who attend will receive the very latest in environmental regulatory information. There is still time to register and you can do so (and find more information) by clicking on http://mecconference.com/.
Charese Yanney Honored by Siouxland Chamber
Last Thursday evening, at an event held at the fabulous Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux City (the site of the Chair’s Dinner during the 2006 ABI Taking Care of Business Conference), former ABI Chair Charese Yanney (Guarantee Roofing and Siding, Sioux City) was honored by a great ABI member/partner. Charese received the highest honor the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce can bestow, the W. Edwards Deming Leadership and Entrepreneurial Excellence Award.
The evening marked the Chamber’s 38th annual event, with a crowd of 1,200 in attendance. Charese is a Sioux City icon and was clearly beloved by everyone in the theater. She shared remarks and was gracious to ABI (and many other organizations for which she has played a leading role) during her comments. Charese noted that her father, former ABI Board Member Jim Yanney (Guarantee Roofing and Siding, Sioux City), had received the Deming Award in 2011, making it even more meaningful for her. It was wonderful to see Charese honored by those who know her best and love her. And we love her, too. Congratulations, Charese!
Kirk Tyler Honored by IGIA
It seems like just last year that former ABI Chair Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) received the Iowa Grocery Industry Association Lifetime Achievement Award, but it was actually several years ago. Well, the Tyler Family continues to be recognized for its leadership by IGIA, as this year, former ABI Chair and company Chairman Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines), was rightly honored as the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This is terrific news and ABI salutes Kirk and his family and company; congratulations, Kirk!
Chip Reeves Named to IBA Board
It was great to see an ABI leader be named to leadership at a great ABI member/partner. It was announced last week that ABI Board Member Chip Reeves (MidWestOne Bank, Iowa City) has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Iowa Bankers Association. Read more here: Iowa Bankers Association Announces 2024-25 Leadership - Iowa Bankers Association. This is great news; congratulations, Chip!
Al Jennings Passes
Former ABI Chair Al Jennings (EFCO, Des Moines) passed away early yesterday morning. Services are pending for Mr. Jennings, who had been battling a number of health issues. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jennings Family at this time.
Stanton Technology Park Information
Last week, I mentioned that ABI members have been a part of a new development in the SW Iowa community of Stanton. Community partners there developed a state-of-the-art technology campus. If you are considering a SW Iowa expansion and are looking for land, incentives, and access to high-speed connections, this could be just right for you. Click here for more information: Stanton-Technology-Park-Information.pdf (stantoniowa.com). Last week, Stanton officials also provided ABI with information including a 3D model of the park and a flyer with information about specific spaces available. If you wish to receive this information, please reply to this message and I’ll get it to you at once.
ABI Members Invited to Expand in East Africa
Many (if not most) ABI manufacturers do business all over the world, including in Africa. For members who do or who may be considering expanding existing business there, you may wish to contact Stephen Chambang. Mr. Chambang contacted ABI last week to explain that he is a representative of the government in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. That region is seeking commercial opportunities with US companies. While no projects are underway at this time, Mr. Chambang mey be able to help you. At any rate, if you wish to contact Mr. Chambang about opportunities in Africa, please reply to this message and I will get you his information at once.