The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), serves as a leading public policy advocacy group for the Iowa business community and currently represents about 1,300 Iowa businesses that employ 300,000 employees.
ABI's primary function is to represent the interests of business to the state legislative, administrative and regulatory bodies. Through grassroots efforts the association plays a vital role in shaping public policy on issues such as Workplace and Product Safety, the Environment, Employment and Workforce, Economic Growth, and Tax issues.
Besides advocacy, ABI also offers its members information, numerous benefits and educational programs to help them operate successfully in an often confusing and heavily regulated business environment.
Today, member companies and organizations employee counts range from as few as one to as many as several thousand. They include every segment of industry in Iowa, whether manufacturing, education, service, retail, hospitality, financial, transportation, health or agriculture. What they all have in common is they embrace ABI's mission of making sure Iowa remains a competitive environment to conduct business on the local, national and international level.
ABI also has established the ABI Foundation whose mission is to develop Iowa's future workforce and leaders. Through programs such as Business Horizons, the foundation helps both students and teachers build an appreciation for the free enterprise system and awareness of career opportunities available in Iowa. These programs help facilitate interaction between the educational and business communities to better prepare the workforce of tomorrow.
Through the Leadership Iowa program, the ABI Foundation also serves current and emerging leaders within Iowa by offering them cutting-edge issue education, skill development and peer networking opportunities.
Founded in 1903 as the Iowa Manufacturers Association, ABI has a distinguished record of serving business interests for 100 years. For more information on ABI, please contact Michael Ralston, President, at (800) 383-4224 ext. 562 or visit our website at: www.iowaabi.org.
