Register Now for ABI Legislative Reception - Monday Memo 11/13/17

November 13, 2017

ABI Legislative Briefing, Reception January 10

Mark your calendars now for one of ABI’s most popular, and most important, events of the year.  The annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at the Iowa Taproom in Des Moines’ East Village.  Over 500 members and legislators attend this event each year.  

Because of your participation, this event draws more Iowa legislators (of both parties) than any similar event hosted by other organizations.  Your local legislators enjoy this event and appreciate the opportunity to visit with you and your fellow Iowa business leaders in a relaxed and informal setting.  As always, all 150 legislators and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg have been invited to join you at the reception.  

Immediately prior to the event, the annual legislative briefing will be held.  This event will provide you with the very latest in legislative news and information about ABI issues.  You can find more information and register NOW by going to http://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/76-legislative-briefing-and-reception/.  By the way, as always, this event is being held the same day as the January meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.  On behalf of ABI Chair Dave Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner), I look forward to seeing you in Des Moines on January 10. 

Executive Committee Meets, Will Hold December Teleconference

Members of the ABI Executive Committee met prior to last week’s board meeting.  The committee will convene again for the final teleconference of the year at 9:30 a.m. on December 6.  The December meeting is typically one of the association’s briefest.  As always, look for a full report on all issues at the next meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. 

ABI CFO Roundtable Thursday

ABI Board Member Rick Tollakson (Hubbell Realty Company, West Des Moines) and Global Economist Bob Bauer (Principal, Des Moines) will be the featured speakers at the next meeting of the ABI CFO Roundtable.  The Roundtable meets Thursday in Des Moines. 

If your CFO isn't a part of this panel, they should be.  ABI has received high marks for the strong programs that are a part of the Roundtable.  Reply to this message for more information. 

Advisory Council to Meet Thursday

The ABI Advisory Council will meet Thursday in Des Moines.  This will mark the panel's final business meeting of 2017. 

Thank you to ABI Advisory Council members 21st Century Rehab, BCC Advisers, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Focus OneSource, Global Reach, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Principal, Tero, The Iowa Clinic, Transition Point Business Advisors, and Wellmark for your leadership and support! 

Latest Elevate Ambassador Training Tomorrow

As you have read in recent editions of the Monday memo, the most recent training session for ambassadors for ABI’s Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative will take place tomorrow (November 14) at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.  The Elevate Ambassadors are a group of business leaders and others who tour the state talking about manufacturing careers.  The group is a key part of ABI’s Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative and you and/or your employees can register for the event at Kirkwood by simply replying to this memorandum. 

ABI/AARP Caregivers Webinar Tomorrow

Also tomorrow and as you read last week, in conjunction with the American Association of Retired Persons, ABI is sponsoring a webinar to support and assist caregivers in the workplace. There are many components to this issue, but for many ABI members, it has a real impact on your workforce. 

ABI member companies Kreg Tool and Principal are just two of the employers to be featured in the webinar.  Your HR staff and others can register for this free webinar by replying to this memo.  In addition, the webinar will also be taped for viewing at a later date. 

Not Too Soon to Make 2018 Annual Conference Lodging Reservations

During a report at last week's ABI Board meeting, it was noted that it is not too early to make your lodging reservation for the 2018 Taking Care of Business Conference, ABI's 115th annual convention.  That event will be held June 5-7 of next year in Greater Iowa City. 

The main conference hotel is the beautiful Coralville Marriott.  Find a link to the hotel here: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/annual-conference/.  

Remember, this conference will involve exciting, brand new venues, terrific speakers, and sessions unlike any seen before.  You will be able to register for the conference on the ABI website soon.  In the meantime, use the link above to make your lodging reservation now. 

ABI Holds Last Board Meeting of Calendar Year

Last week in Des Moines, members of the ABI Board of Directors met for the final board meeting of 2017.  Terrific attendance and great discussion marked the day.  A special appearance by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, a review of the annual audit, and board member’s business updates were highlights of the day. Thank you to board members and former board chairs for your participation in a great meeting.  On behalf of ABI Chair Dave Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner), thank you for helping the final 2017 board meeting go so well. 

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, BRIowa took the place of our quarterly publication, IA.biz magazine.  

Longtime ABI Board Member Bruce Tamisiea (Tecton Industries, Spencer), among others, graces the cover of this month's edition of the journal.  You'll also find great content about ABI programs and activities. 

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. 

CIRAS Leadership Summit Thursday

The Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University is a key ABI partner.  ABI is pleased to co-sponsor an upcoming leadership summit being produced by CIRAS.  The summit will be presented from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday (November 16).  It will be held at the conference center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.  To register or learn more, please go to: https://t.e2ma.net/pages/1769659/2057.  

Foundation Update: BH Board to Meet Thursday

While the ABI Foundation staff is quite busy with Leadership Iowa and other tasks, Business Horizons, the Foundation’s week-long entrepreneurial experience for high school students, is also a part of the work schedule. BH 2018 will be held next summer at Central College in Pella.  The BH Board of Directors will meet Thursday in Des Moines.  

NAM Economic Report Cites Positive in Europe as Reason for Optimism

As do many of you, I look forward to receiving the Global Manufacturing Economic Update from the National Association of Manufacturers.  This publication, like all of those produced by the NAM, is a terrific source of data and information. 

Last Thursday's report was especially interesting, as it shared news of strong activity in Europe’s manufacturing sector. That activity is leading to increased economic optimism in other parts of the world, including the United States.  If you wish to see the report, simply reply to this memo and I will get it to you at once. 

Governor Appoints Barrick, Brown to State Commissions

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has appointed two ABI leaders to important state boards. ABI Board Member Kelly Barrick (CIBC, West Des Moines) was appointed to the Iowa Workforce Board.  By the way, that board is chaired by ABI Board Member John Krogman (Connect-A-Dock, Atlantic)

Former ABI Chair Bill Brown (BrownWinick, Des Moines) was appointed to the Iowa Commission on Judicial Qualifications.  Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate.  Congratulations and thank you for serving, Kelly, John, and Bill! 

Kreg Tool Featured in CIRAS News

Longtime ABI member Kreg Tool Company is featured in the latest edition of CIRAS News magazine.  The magazine, published by valued ABI partner CIRAS (the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University), carries a story about big savings being experienced by Kreg through a switch to new 3D-printed molds.  

You can read the story (and the rest of the magazine) by clicking on this link: http://www.ciras.iastate.edu/publications/CIRASNews/2017Fall.pdf.  Congratulations to everyone at Kreg, including ABI Board Member and company Chairman Todd Sommerfeld (Kreg Tool, Huxley) on the great coverage!  

Sarah Hasken to be Inducted into NICC Hall of Fame

Former ABI Chair Sarah Hasken will be inducted into the Northeast Iowa Community College Hall of Fame a week from today.  Sarah’s 40-year career began after graduating NICC in 1977. 

Sarah began her career in various roles in Dubuque-area practices of general dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery groups. Her father then recruited her to the family company and over the years, Sarah played leadership roles in the success of that business, A.Y. McDonald.  And, over the past few years, she has been a part of the senior leadership team at UnityPoint Health Finley hospital in Dubuque.  And of course, Sarah and her husband, ABI Board Member Jack Hasken, are the owners of Jackson Manufacturing in Maquoketa.  

Sarah is a very worthy recipient of this terrific honor. ABI salutes Sarah Hasken and we send very vest wishes to Sarah and Jack! 

Tom Yeoman Reelected

ABI Board Member Tom Yeoman (Yeoman & Company, Monticello) is a well-known and respected business and community leader in NE Iowa.  Further confirmation of that fact came last Tuesday, when Tom was reelected to the Monticello City Council without opposition.  Congratulations, Tom! 

Jason Gross, Mary Andringa, Tom McMahon Celebrate

ABI Board Member Jason Gross (EMC Insurance, Des Moines) recently celebrated his birthday. Other ABI leaders are also celebrating birthdays this month.  ABI Past Chair Mary Andringa (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and former ABI Board Member and former ABI Foundation Chair Tom McMahon (Barker Company, Keosauqua) share birthdays.  ABI sends best birthday wishes to Mary, Tom, and Jason!