ABI Hosts Successful 120th Annual Conference in Cedar Rapids
June 20, 2023 | Download PDF
The Iowa Association of Business and Industry held its 120th annual conference last week. The 2023 Taking Care of Business Conference brought together over 500 business leaders to Cedar Rapids and featured programming, networking, and leadership development opportunities each day.
“A great crowd, local hospitality, exciting venues, and terrific events made the 2023 ABI Taking Care of Business Conference something very special,” said Mike Ralston, ABI President. “One of the highlights of the Conference was the lineup of renown speakers who shared their insights, experiences, and strategies for achieving excellence in business.”
Iowa native Cy Wakeman, Owner and Founder of Reality-Based Leadership and NY Times Best-Selling Author was the keynote speaker. Other mainstage speakers included Brandon Williams, Founder and Owner of Lead Tac and former US Navy fighter pilot, as well as Ryan Anderson, Vice President of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll. The conference also featured a diverse range of interactive workshops tailored to address the challenges faced by today’s business professionals.
In addition, Governor Kim Reynolds continued a decades-long tradition of Iowa governors attending the ABI Conference by addressing attendees at the Conference on Wednesday, June 14.
The conference welcomed more than 150 first time attendees and 120 alumni members of ABI’s flagship leadership and community development program: Leadership Iowa. Iowa’s business leaders also raised more than $20,000 to support scholarships for high school and college students to participate in leadership development programs.
Plans are already underway for the 2024 and 2025 Taking Care of Business Conferences. In 2024, the Conference will take place in the Quad Cities. It will then move to Council Bluffs in 2025. Stay tuned for updated information and announcements via our website (www.ABITakingCareOfBusiness.com) and social media platforms.