Hundreds Already on Tap for Annual ABI Convention - Monday Memo 1/23/12
Good to Great Author Jim Collins to Headline Annual Conference in June
As you know, ABI is pleased to host renowned business author and speaker Jim Collins in his first-ever Iowa appearance. He will address ABI members at the 2012 Iowa Taking Care of Business Conference (ABI's 109th Annual Convention). Collins, the author of Good to Great, and his latest book, Great by Choice, will speak at Veterans Memorial Auditorium on Friday, June 15.
In addition to Collins, there are some other fantastic features in store for ABI members at what is sure to be the association's biggest convention ever. Great venues, such as the Wakonda Club, the fabulously-renovated Veterans Memorial Auditorium, downtown Des Moines settings, and many others will combine to make this convention truly fantastic.
Some years ago, it was common for ABI to wonder whether there would be a crowd of any size as we planned for the convention. This year, WITH SIX MONTHS TO GO, there are already hundreds of people registered/committed for convention and golf is also filling up fast. I can tell you that the staff has a target number in mind for this convention that will blow our past records out of the water. ABI is well on its way to seeing that a reality.
The bottom line (I say it every year and every year it is true) is that you simply don't want to miss this conference! Go now to http://www.cvent.com/events/2012-annual-abi-conference/event-summary-770a354b46b446b2b153d0f02beb2867.aspx and register your attendance today.
Story Construction will Host Iowa Innovation Gateway Board Wednesday
ABI Board Member Paul Gregoire (Fisher-Emerson, Marshalltown) chairs the Board of Directors for the Iowa Innovation Gateway. Another ABI Board Member, Mike Espeset (Story Construction, Ames), also serves on the Gateway board. It is Mike and his company that will host the IIG Board when it next meets on Wednesday of this week.
As you know, the Gateway focuses on workforce and economic development in multiple counties in mid-Iowa. IIG also does work for other parts of the state. And it is IIG that leads our state's work with regard to the National Career Readiness Certificate program and the National Association of Manufacturers-endorsed manufacturing skills readiness certification system.
The Gateway last Friday issued its latest newsletter. If you would like to read the newsletter and see more information about IIG activities, please reply to this message and I'll forward it to you at once. Or, go to http://iowainnovationgateway.com/.
CIRAS Board Meets Thursday at Iowa State
The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State University is a valued partner of ABI and a terrific resource for Iowa manufacturers. ABI member Alan Hagie (Hagie Manufacturing Company, Clarion) chairs the CIRAS board, which will hold its quarterly meeting at Iowa State on Thursday.
Many ABI members have or are working with CIRAS. If you wish to find out more about CIRAS or utilize its services, feel free to contact me or go to the CIRAS website at http://www.ciras.iastate.edu/.
ABI's Cvent Registration System Should Re-Populate your Information
Some of you have told me that you like using ABI's Cvent registration system and find this online tool to be easy and convenient. That was our goal and we are glad to hear it. However, some of you have also told me you wish that it would re-populate your information so that you wouldn't have to re-enter it every time.
What is of concern is that the system is designed to do just that - it already SHOULD re-populate your data. Re-population is based on your email address, so if your email address has changed, you will have to re-enter data. If you are experiencing issues without a new address, please let me know and we'll investigate the problem and get it resolved for you right away.
ABI Reception Photos; View Photos and Check Events Calendar
As you know, the 2012 ABI legislative reception was a record-breaker in terms of numbers of members and legislators attending. The event was incredibly successful and was a great start to advancing ABI’s public policy agenda for the year.
Several event photos have been posted to the ABI website. Click on this link /index.cfm?nodeID=12409&audienceID=1&albumID=2888&action=dspalbum and you can access the photos. You might be in them!
Also, click on the /en/events_calendar/ link to see the extensive list of ABI meetings and events coming up in the next few weeks. There is always something happening at ABI.
Governor's STEM Council Meeting Wednesday in Des Moines
Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen co-chair the Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Council. The Council will meet again this Wednesday, at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, for a meeting focused on public-private partnerships in STEM.
Iowa companies that are (or would like to be more) engaged in STEM education are especially invited to send a representative to take part. ABI Executive Committee Members Myron Linn (Pella Corporation, Pella) and Lori Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield) will officially represent ABI at the meeting.
NAM Report Illustrates Multiplier Power of Manufacturing
The Monday Economic Report, a weekly publication of the National Association of Manufacturers, last week had a great lead story about the multiplier effect of several industries. Far out front was manufacturing, which generates $1.35 for every $1 spent.
The entire edition of the Report was informative. Please contact me if you would like to read it and I'll get it to you at once.
ABI Board member Leon Yantis Featured in Register; Speaks to Iowa House Committee
Last Wednesday, the Des Moines Register carried a front-page article about ESOPs. Featured prominently in the article were comments by ABI Board Member Leon Yantis (Ritchie Industries, Conrad) and information about the Ritchie ESOP story. It is a great article. Go to http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120118/BUSINESS/301180040/Idea-when-business-owner-retires-Give-keys-to-employees to read it for yourself. You'll note that Leon arranged the purchase of Ritchie from someone well-known to ABI members, his father-in-law, former ABI Chair Cliff Wilson (Ritchie Industries, Conrad).
Leon also testified before the Iowa House of Representatives' Economic Growth Committee that same day. It is important for legislators to hear from business people. Congratulations to Leon for the coverage and thank you to Leon for taking time from running his business to speak with legislators.
Fed Speaker's Comments Agree with ABI Members' Practice
You know that one of the best things about ABI's new office is the use of our meeting spaces by members and other organizations. Last Tuesday, the ABI Conference Center was utilized for a luncheon meeting held by the Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Appraisers.
The group's speaker was Jason Henderson, Vice President and Omaha Branch Executive for the Federal Reserve Bank. Jason's comments about ag land values and the ag economy were fascinating. One insight he shared related to debt. He noted something that ABI members share all the time. That is the impact of debt and the need to manage it as a part of your business plan. Managing debt successfully and maintaining strong cash positions made all the difference for ag operations, Jason said. ABI members comments illustrate that it has been important to them as well.
By the way, the meeting was coordinated by Jennifer Julander with ABI member BCC Advisors. Spotted at the meeting was ABI Board Member and Advisory Council Member Steve Jacobs (BCC Advisors). Thanks to Jennifer and Steve and to ASA for bringing their meeting to ABI.
The Business of ABI: Addressing Database Management Issues
While ABI's fiscal year is only half-over, it is not too early for us to begin to prepare a proposed budget to bring to you, ABI Board members, later in the year. Allow me to bring to your attention one very significant issue that will be part of the proposed FY12-13 ABI budget.
As is the case with any business (and as you know, I seek to manage ABI like a business; we have customers, we just call them members), managing our member/customer database is one of the most important tasks we have. ABI operates off of a very outdated membership data platform. As our operations have grown in recent years and as they have become much more sophisticated, the failings in our system have become even more apparent. Frankly, I do not know how our ABI staff is able to make the whole thing work. Even more, I fear the day when they will no longer be able to make things work.
So, the proposed budget will include a line item for a new database management system. This will be a substantial investment and will include an initial outlay in the $40,000 to $50,000 range and an ongoing annual fee of some size after that. I promise that we are doing our due diligence now to bring you a well thought-out proposal, one that explains the need, the costs involved, and why the expenditure is necessary to serve ABI members.
Here is the good news. It wasn't that long ago that ABI could not have even contemplated undertaking a project of this size, no matter how great the need. Thanks to your leadership and the strong support of thousands of ABI members, we are now in a position to (somewhat) easily handle this project. More good news relates to the increase in service and value we will be able to provide ABI members once the database project is completed. For those reasons, this is a very exciting project. Again and as always, thank you. Look for more information in the coming months.
Jan 23, 2012 8:02 AM
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