Reflecting on Success: ABI's Year in Review and Exciting Plans for 2024

When writing this column each December, I review the past year at ABI. As ABI prepares for year-end, all our metrics point to 2023 being one of ABI’s best ever. Thank you for your investment in participation and dollars, because that is what has made the year so successful.

It starts at the top and I can assure you that ABI Vice Chair Chad Reece and ABI's other officers and directors are providing strong leadership. They never lose sight of the fact that value for members is what makes ABI succeed.

Likewise, all of us on staff know that serving members is our top priority. The good news is that the beginning of the year gives ample opportunity to do just that.

ABI's second-largest annual event, the Legislative Briefing and Reception, will be held January 10 in downtown Des Moines. More than 500 ABI members and top state officials will be on hand for this terrific event. If you haven't already done so, go now to www.iowaabi.org/events and register. Other important events, such as the next session of Leadership Iowa, are also on tap in January.

Between now and June, of course, everything builds towards the 2024 ABI Taking Care of Business Conference. The conference, ABI's 121st annual convention, will be held in Davenport June 4-6. This will be a truly spectacular event and you do not want to miss it. Watch for exciting news about the conference in the coming weeks.

Lastly, while ABI is always all about the members, it is the ABI staff that implements the board's vision each year. Please join me in thanking Nicole Crain, Kendall Antle, JD Davis, Jane Galloway, Brad Hartkopf, Levi Lefebure, Jessi McQuerrey, Holly Mueggenberg, Kelsey O'Connor, and Michelle Vollstedt. Thanks, too, to Katelyn Adams for her help with ABI communications during the year and to Kerry Servas for her work in membership development. This group provided great service to ABI in 2023 (as did Michele Farrell during her brief time with us). ABI is fortunate to have a terrific group of talented professionals on staff and they care deeply about providing first-class service. Count on that to continue in the coming year.

And, as always, thank you to YOU, ABI's members, for your support. Best wishes for a safe and productive new year.