Record-Breaking ABI Events Held - Monday Memo 1/16/12
ABI Holds Record-Breaking Legislative Briefing, Reception
State legislators and other officials and ABI members have been effusive in their praise for the 2012 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception held Wednesday evening. These events continue to grow larger every year. And, while we appreciate the record-breaking size (about 430 in attendance), what is more satisfying is the number of the attendees who say they conduct business and make important connections at the events.
ABI members from every corner of the state and from many states outside Iowa were on hand to connect with state officials. It is that interaction with legislators that is so vital and that makes the event such a critical component to advancing ABI’s agenda each year.
Watch for photos from the event to be posted soon at www.iowaabi.org. In the meantime, many thanks for the good words you have shared about the event and for the work of ABI staff. THANK YOU for making the 2012 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception truly the very best ever.
Executive Committee, Board Hold first Meetings of 2011
Members of the ABI Executive Committee met Wednesday and that meeting was immediately followed by the first 2012 meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. Both meetings saw discussion of important issues and action on a number of items. Much discussion centered on the just-convened session of the Iowa General Assembly, the strong financial report, and other member issues.
The board meeting was kicked-off by ABI Chair Frederick V. Buie (Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Company, Des Moines), who then introduced Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal. Senator Gronstal shared comments about the 2012 Iowa Legislative Session. The meeting was capped by remarks by Emily Stover DeRocco, the President of the National Association of Manufacturers' Manufacturing Institute. Strong attendance marked the meeting.
ABI to Explore Providing Administrative Support to ICCE Organization
At the meeting of the ABI Board of Directors held last Wednesday, the board approved by consent a recommendation from the Executive Committee to have ABI enter into a relationship with an organization known as Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives. ICCE is comprised of paid staff members of chambers of commerce throughout Iowa. It provides professional development services to its members.
In the past and for many years, ABI provided administrative support to ICCE. That arrangement ended and ICCE then received administrative support from the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. ICCE has now approached ABI about again providing its support.
After a thorough discussion, the ABI Executive Committee approved a recommendation that ABI enter into an agreement with ICCE and that staff be authorized to negotiate an agreement to do so. The ABI Board also thoroughly discussed the matter before approving the recommendation. Staff will begin negotiations with ICCE soon. By their way, ABI Legal Counsel Russ Samson has confirmed that such an arrangement will have no impact on ABI's not-for-profit status.
Watch for news of more developments as they occur. Should you have questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.
ABI Executive Committee Minutes to be Distributed Monthly
As you know, for many years, the association has distributed the minutes of the ABI Executive Committee meetings to members of the association's Board of Directors (including past chairs of the board) twice each year. This provides an opportunity for board members to remain informed of executive committee decisions and actions.
With special thanks to longtime ABI Board Member Steve Roberts (Davis Brown Law Firm, Des Moines), a new practice will be instituted this month. Steve called to my attention that the ABI Bylaws (Article IV, Section 4) call for monthly distribution of the minutes. I am grateful to Steve (who stressed to me that there was no problem of which he was aware, just that he noted the minutes called for monthly distribution) for bringing this issue forward.
Please look for the Executive Committee minutes in your email in-basket starting late this month. In the meantime, thanks again to Steve Roberts.
Weekly ABI Webinar Series Growing in Popularity
Some months ago, ABI created a weekly series of webinars designed to provide information of value in a no-cost, convenient manner for members. These webinars have proven to popular with ABI members across the state.
Presented each Wednesday, the "Brunch-and-Learn" webinars are held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and they cover a variety of business topics. This week's webinar, for instance, is focused on helping you and your marketing staff know how much to spend -- and how to spend it -- to get a maximum return for your dollar. And, if you miss this week's webinar or want to see past webinars, they are all available online through www.iowaabi.org.
To access the webinars, go to the ABI Events page (/en/events_calendar/) and click on the link for the ones that interest you.
Register now for 2012 ABI Convention, Golf at Wakonda Club
ABI's 109th Annual Meeting, Iowa's Taking Care of Business Conference 2012, will be held June 13-15 in Des Moines. Jim Collins, the author of Good to Great and Great by Choice, is the keynote speaker for the conference. This will be the very first Iowa appearance for this world-renowned business expert, speaker, and writer. Another highlight is golf at one of Iowa's finest private clubs, the Wakonda Club in Des Moines.
You can register for the conference and for golf now at http://www.cvent.com/events/2012-annual-abi-conference/event-summary-770a354b46b446b2b153d0f02beb2867.aspx. Use the tabs at the top of the page to access all kinds of information about the convention and related items. Then, use the red button in the lower right-corner of the page to complete your registration. Do it now for the best value and we'll see you in Des Moines in June.
Mary Landhuis, Merle Pederson Celebrate Today
Two ABI Board Members celebrate birthdays today. Best birthday wishes are sent to board members Mary Landhuis (EZ Way-Lisle Corporation, Clarinda) and Merle Pederson (Principal Financial Group, Des Moines)! By the way, though they celebrate their birthday on the same day, one of them is older than the other (but I won't tell you HIS name).
Wall Street Journal Article Echoes ABI Members: Innovation is Key
ABI members often cite innovation (in products and processes) as a key to their success. After all the talk about the decline of a great American company, Kodak, the Wall Street Journal Friday carried a great feature about Milliken & Company.
Milliken is an older company in a mature, labor-intensive industry (textiles). It has continued to thrive and, just like ABI members, company executives cite innovation as the reason why. A great photo accompanying the article was of a wall listing employees and patents. It reminded of a similar wall of patent recognition at ABI member company Sukup Manufacturing Co. in Sheffield.
We try to model that focus on innovation here at the ABI office. Thanks to leadership by all of you and your direction for new procedures and services, ABI, too, has continued to grow. THANK YOU for that leadership and support. By the way, if you wish to read the article about Milliken, simply reply to this message and I'll send it to you.
Jan 16, 2012 7:04 AM
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