Next Board Meeting in March - Monday Memo 1/28/19

January 28, 2019

ABI Board to Meet March 13

ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and members of the ABI Board of Directors will next meet on March 13th.  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 13.  In the meantime, the ABI Executive Committee will hold its regular February teleconference in a little over two weeks. 

Annual Business Day on the Hill on March 13

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 make the 2019 event even bigger than previous ones. 

The 2019 Day on the Hill will be held on Wednesday, March 13.  This year's event is again being called Business Day on the Hill, because ABI is again working with a number of other organizations on its production.  By the way, the 13th 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 13. 

2019 ABI Conference Committee Members to Meet on Program

The upcoming annual ABI Taking Care of Business Conference, which will be held in Ames June 4-6, 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 next week, conference committee members will be conducting interviews and working with potential speakers.  It will all lead to an awesome convention in Ames.  Thank you to these ABI leaders for developing a fabulous program. 

Next ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders Forum in Cedar Falls on March 4

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 4 in Cedar Falls.  A high-value panel and networking will all be a part of the program.  

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.  Find more information by checking the ABI events page in the coming weeks. 

First Legislative Teleconference Held; Next Teleconference on February 15

ABI’s public policy team is very busy this time of year.  Friday, the team held the first ABI Members-Only Legislative Teleconference of the 2019 Session. 

The February legislative teleconference will be held on the 15th of next month. Find more information about this members-only call now at https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/138-abi-members-only-legislative-conference-calls/.  Thank you in advance for your participation in these events. 

Remember: Elevate Again Offering Community College Scholarships

Each year, ABI’s Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative offers scholarships for Iowa high school students.  In 2019, Elevate is again offering 15 $500 scholarships to Iowa high school seniors interested in studying a manufacturing-related program of courses at one of Iowa’s community colleges.  One award is made per each of Iowa’s 15 community college regions.  

Go to the Elevate webpage at www.elevateiowa.com for more information.  Or simply reply to this message and I will get you more information at once.  

Biennial ABI Workers' Compensation Program March 27 in Des Moines

Every other year, ABI presents a program on workers' compensation.  This year’s program will be held March 27th 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. 

Watch for LeanWise and MarketWise Events on ABI Webpage

Two of ABI's newest programs are the MarketWise and LeanWise series.  Each of these series of events provides a forum for like-minded business people to come together to gain valuable information about LEAN processes or marketing concepts.  The networking and best-practice sharing that occurs has been rated highly by ABI members. 

Some of you have asked me about these events.  More events in the series will be coming in the future. Watch the ABI Events Page for more information or to register: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/.  

Charles Sukup to Receive 4-H Legacy Award

At a program in West Des Moines on February 22nd, former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) will be honored by the Iowa 4-H Foundation.  Charles will receive the 2019 Outstanding Alum Award, given by 4-H in honor of the support and leadership Charles has provided ever since he participated in 4-H back in Franklin County many years ago.  Congratulations, Charles!