Next ABI Board Meeting in March - Monday Memo 1/24/21
January 24, 2022
ABI Board to Meet March 8
ABI Chair Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa) and members of the ABI Board of Directors will next meet on March 8th. That day will see a full day of ABI meetings and events, as ABI's annual Iowa Business Day on the Hill program and other events will also take place.
More information will come your way soon, but please mark your calendars now to join your ABI colleagues in Des Moines on March 8. In the meantime, the ABI Executive Committee will hold its regular February teleconference in a little over two weeks.
Annual ABI Iowa Business Day on the Hill on March 8
Each year, ABI members from across Iowa (and even from outside the state) converge on the Statehouse to discuss pro-jobs policies with their legislators. The event has grown in popularity every year and based on projections, a strong crowd will again be on hand this year.
The 2022 Day on the Hill will be held on Tuesday, March 8. By the way, March 8th is also the same day as the March meeting of the ABI Board of Directors, so you can conveniently attend both events.
Day on the Hill begins at the ABI office at 8:30 a.m. Following an update with the very latest news from the Iowa General Assembly, DOTH participants will head to the Capitol. There, you'll visit with legislators and hear from leading state officials. Then, it's a return to ABI and the board meeting will occur that afternoon. Finalize your plans now to participate in Business Day on the Hill and watch for registration information soon. See you in Des Moines on March 8.
CIRAS Board Meets Thursday
A valued ABI member-partner is Iowa State University's Center for Industrial Research and Service. CIRAS is a fabulous resource for Iowa manufacturers and businesses of all kinds. Over the years, many ABI leaders have also been involved in CIRAS and several are current members of the CIRAS Industry Advisory Board. The board will meet Thursday by Zoom. Watch for news of any developments in next week's ABI Monday Memo.
If you are Seeking a Manufacturing Leader for your Plant, Contact Me
While I do not believe I have done anything like this before, I am including this item to let you know of a manufacturing leader who will be relocating back to Iowa sometime soon. Many of you are seeking talent, and so I hope it is okay to let you know in this manner of someone who might be just right for your organization.
He is a former ABI board member and has extensive experience in manufacturing operations, opening new manufacturing facilities, and in engineering and process management. And he is simply a good guy. If you need more information, please simply reply to this memorandum. Thank you.
2022 ABI Conference Committee Members to Meet on Program
The upcoming annual ABI Taking Care of Business Conference, which will be held in Dubuque June 14-16, is shaping up to be a fabulous event. If you haven't already done so, you really need to plan now to attend this great meeting.
Over two days later this week, conference committee members will be conducting interviews and working with potential speakers. It will all lead to an awesome convention in Dubuque. Thank you to these ABI leaders for developing a fabulous program.
Next ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders Forum in Council Bluffs on March 3
At the request of members and at the direction of the board of directors, ABI created the Connecting Statewide Leaders forums. These series of high-value informational and networking events have been incredibly successful. Events have been held all across Iowa and there are more to come.
The next event in the series will be held March 3 in Council Bluffs. A high-value panel and networking will all be a part of the program, which is focused on economic development and workforce in Iowa. Please click here Summary - Connecting Statewide Leaders - Council Bluffs (cvent.com) for more information and to register. These programs are simply great ways to gain information and connect with your fellow ABI members, Leadership Iowa Class members, local business leaders, and others. And we appreciate the reports we hear about sales/deals being made during these events, too.
Bi-Weekly ABI Legislative Zoom Conferences Begin; Next Zoom Conference on February 4
ABI’s public policy team is very busy this time of year. Last Friday, the team held the first ABI Members-Only Legislative Teleconference of the 2022 Session of the Iowa General Assembly.
The next Legislative Zoom Conference will be held on February 4. Register for that event here: Legislative Update (Members Only) | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org). And remember, these conferences are free and open to ABI members only. Thank you in advance for your participation in these events.
Biennial ABI Pre-Employment Testing Process Program March 30 in Des Moines
Every other year, ABI presents a program on pre-employment testing processes. This year’s program will be held March 30th at ABI in Des Moines. Focused on issues, challenges, and best-practice sharing, this year’s event will provide high-value information to you and your HR team. Find more information coming your way soon on the ABI events page.
Share Your Manufacturing 4.0 Success Stories
As you know, Governor Kim Reynolds and state leaders have developed Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 initiative, designed to help our state’s manufacturers grow their businesses. ABI is strongly supporting this effort in a number of ways, as are a great many ABI members.
If you are, or if you have a manufacturing success story to share, please go to this link: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management. Iowa will celebrate your story and the information you share may help others. Thank you in advance for your help!
Tom Determann Announces Run for Iowa House
Former longtime ABI Board Member Tom Determann (Determann Industries, Comanche) led a great business and is a great ABI leader. Following the sale of his very successful family business, he was elected to the Clinton City Council and then the Clinton County Board of Supervisors.
Last week, Tom announced that he is a candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives. Click here to read more about Tom’s announcement: https://www.clintonherald.com/news/local_news/determann-announces-bid-for-iowa-house/article_fbffb912-7a43-11ec-a970-63ade97763db.html. Good luck, Tom!