Stay Tuned Re: March ABI Events - Monday Memo 1/25/21
January 25, 2021
March ABI Events in Flux
When the schedule was established for ABI events for 2021, it was expected that the association’s annual ABI Day on the Hill, annual IIPAC luncheon, and March board meeting will all be held on the 11th of that month. Due to changes required related to the COVID-19 pandemic, those plans may be altered.
Consideration is being given to hosting the postponed 2021 ABI Legislative Reception on March 9. If that happens, it is contemplated that the board meeting would also be moved to that day and the events planned for the 11th would not be held.
We know that changes to busy schedules are not always easy to implement and we appreciate your consideration. ABI Chair Steven Bradford (HNI Corporation, Muscatine) and members of the ABI Executive Committee will make a final decision soon. Please stay tuned and again, thank you.
This Thursday, Laugh in the New Year with Leadership Iowa
The ABI Foundation is well-known for its high quality programming. Leadership Iowa, Business Horizons, LI University, and other programs have made our state better. Thousands of Iowans have participated in these programs and the Foundation has stepped up to keep the alumni of these programs engaged. Developing new, high-value events is one way this is being done.
One such alumni event will be held this Thursday via Zoom. Leadership Iowa is hosting a virtual party and comedy, connections, prizes, and more will mark this fun networking event. Click here for more information: https://forms.gle/hTpgnn2z33GbaMFA7. Longtime ABI Board Member Kelly Barrick (CIBC, West Des Moines) shared news of this event during the January board meeting and urges all members of the LI Alumni Society to attend. Don’t miss it!
First Legislative Update This Friday; Next Updates February 12, 26
ABI’s public policy team is very busy this time of year. This Friday, the team will hold the first ABI Members-Only Legislative Update (via Zoom) of the 2021 Session.
It is not too late to register for this week’s update. Go here to do so: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/223-legislative-update-members-only/. And remember, the updates are free and open to ABI members only. By the way, mark your calendars for the February legislative updates, which will be held on the 12th and the 26h of next month. Thank you in advance for your participation in these events.
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 WebEx. Watch for news of any developments in next week's ABI Monday Memo.
Annual ABI Resource Guide Published
One of ABI’s most popular publications each year is the annual Business Resource Guide. That is because the guide is packed full of information about ABI’s programs and services and other information that is useful to you and your employees. A section of the guide is ABI’s membership directory and comes with detailed information about your fellow ABI members.
The 2021 edition of the guide has been produced for ABI by one of the association’s founding members: Bankers Advertising/Tru Art. Look for your beautiful copy of the guide to arrive in your office soon. On the cover you’ll find photos of former ABI Chairs Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) and Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines), along with ABI Board Member Rob Feeney(Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and company executive Jay Tyler(Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and additional photos of executives from longtime member John Deere and others. In the meantime, thank you to former ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and his employees for making the guide look so great!
Biennial ABI Workers' Compensation Program March 23 in Des Moines
Every other year, ABI presents a program on workers' compensation. This year’s program will be held March 23rd via Zoom. 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.
Remember: Elevate Again Offering Community College Scholarships
Each year, ABI’s Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative offers scholarships for Iowa high school students. In 2021, 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.
CBJ Speakers Bullish for 2021
Two great events held each January provide interesting insights into the economy. ABI member publications the Des Moines Business Record and the Corridor Business Journal (eastern Iowa) both produce economic forums this month.
The CBJ event was held last week in Coralville. Nearly 700 people participated by Zoom, with space for about 65 (widely-spaced) participants in-person in a ballroom at the Coralville Marriott. It was great seeing former ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) at the event.
It was my pleasure to represent ABI members on a panel that was a part of the forum. There were five of us on the panel, including ABI member company representative and firm president Jennifer Bennett (Shive Hattery, Cedar Rapids). What struck me was how positive everyone was in their projections for 2021. Each panelist expected business to be strong for the year. That is good news.
Jim Tyler to Be Featured on Smithsonian Channel Tomorrow Night
Tune in to the Smithsonian Channel tomorrow evening and you’ll see a great ABI leader. Former ABI Chair Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) will be featured on a program highlighting the P-38 Lightning, one of World War II’s most famous aircraft. As a decorated combat fighter pilot, Jim flew the P-38 in many missions over Europe.
The program will be broadcast on Tuesday evening (tomorrow, January 26) at 7:00 and then again at 10:00. Thank you to Jim for his service and congratulations on this very cool news – we’ll be watching!
Kim Augspurger’s Father Passes
It just so happens that many ABI members are currently experiencing difficult times with members of their family. I am sorry to report the loss of Bill Augspurger, the father of ABI Treasurer Kim Augspurger (Saxton, Des Moines). Mr. Augspurger passed away on the 13th of this month.
To read more about his wonderful life, please click here: https://www.waglerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/William-Bill-Augspurger/#!/Obituary. Our thoughts and prayers go to Kim, her husband Pat Mescher, and their family at this time.