Business Monthly

Apr 8, 2024

Spring Spotlight: Quad Cities and the 2024 Taking Care of Business Conference

Dec 8, 2022

Elections Behind, New Year Ahead

Nov 11, 2022

Thankful for ABI Leaders

Oct 14, 2022

Election Season: Make Your Vote Count

Sep 9, 2022

Members on Mission: Stay Involved in Public Policy

Aug 12, 2022

Successful Strategies in Business Ownership and at ABI

Jul 15, 2022

Moving Forward - In Business and at ABI

Under the leadership of outgoing Chair, Jack Hasken, and thanks to your support, ABI enjoyed another impactful year. With your help, we plan to continue to build upon the tremendous track record of success going forward.

Jun 13, 2022

A Final Column

ABI recently conducted its annual survey of members. The results of that survey are always interesting and you will find them in this edition of Business Record Iowa.

May 13, 2022

Invest in Iowa, Invest in Your Business

Apr 8, 2022

Wrapping Up Day on the Hill and Looking Ahead to Conference

Mar 10, 2022

Join us in Dubuque!

Feb 11, 2022

Iowa Business Leaders and ABI Remain Optimistic

One of our state’s most important assets is the economic activity generated by Iowa businesses.

Jan 14, 2022

A Look Ahead at 2022 and the Iowa Legislature

The year 2021 was both busy and successful here at ABI, but as you already know, leading organizations are always looking ahead.

Dec 10, 2021

See you at the 2022 Legislative Reception

Nov 12, 2021

Thankful for ABI Leaders

Nov 12, 2021

ABI Board Sets 2022 Legislative Priorities

Oct 8, 2021

Fiscal Year Off to Strong Start

Sep 10, 2021

ABI Member Participation in Public Policy Key to Historic Successes

Aug 13, 2021

Foundation Programs Support Iowa’s Future Workforce

Jul 9, 2021

The Year Ahead

Jun 9, 2021

A Final Column

May 14, 2021

ABI Conference: The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Business

Apr 9, 2021

Broadband Access is Important to ABI Members

ABI members identified broadband access as a priority last fall and so has the Legislature.

Mar 11, 2021

Invest in Your Business by Attending ABI Conference

The annual convention is Iowa's premier general business conference.

Feb 12, 2021

Child Care is a Critical Workforce Issue

The cover story focuses on child care and provides some valuable information and insights regarding what some ABI members are doing to address this critical need.

Jan 8, 2021

A Look Ahead at the Iowa Legislature

This edition of Business Record Iowa is focused on the top business issues to be addressed during the upcoming legislative session.

Dec 11, 2020

The Election is Over: Here’s the Most Important Thing You Can Do Now

With the election behind us, the single most important thing you can do is to reach out to your legislative and congressional delegations.

Nov 13, 2020

Mentoring is a Meaningful Way to Help Others

It is natural at this time of the year to be thankful and to contemplate how you can help others.

Oct 9, 2020

Iowa is Better When Iowans Vote

ABI members take voting seriously and our organization provides several resources to help you and your employees make informed choices.

Sep 11, 2020

Iowa Manufacturers Are Economic Engines

In our state's more rural counties, those manufacturers are often the economic engine supporting the entire region's economy.

Aug 14, 2020

Business Involvement is Essential to Education

When it comes to education, business involvement is essential to ensure Iowa students gain the resources and skills they need to be part of a world-class workforce.

Jul 9, 2020

Multi-Generational Companies Make Iowa Great

The cover story highlights prosperous multi-generational Iowa companies. Thankfully, our state has many of them.

Jul 9, 2020

ABI Public Policy: A Look Back, a Look Forward

ABI members rapidly brought two public policy issues forward that would have a critical impact on how the Iowa economy would rebound as the virus abated and government restrictions were eased.

Jun 5, 2020

Business is Making Turn for the Better

Based on responses to the survey and recent conversations with members, I can tell you that for many employers (not all, but many), business is making a turn for the better. 

May 8, 2020

Assisting Members is ABI’s Focus

Now is not the time to be taking members away from their businesses. Now is the time for ABI to focus on providing assistance to members in any way possible.

Apr 10, 2020

Iowa Business Day on the Hill was Huge Success

Iowa Business Day on the Hill provided yet another opportunity for ABI members to thank state officials for their service and to discuss pending legislation.

Mar 13, 2020

See You in Cedar Rapids

I can tell you that there is great excitement in Cedar Rapids about ABI coming to town in June. 

Feb 14, 2020

Workforce: ABI’s Leading Issue

In this edition of Business Record Iowa, the cover story focuses on the different perspectives ABI members bring to this most important topic.

Jan 10, 2020

Leading Organizations are Always Looking Ahead

2019 was a busy and successful year at ABI, but leading organizations are always looking ahead, putting their future in focus.

Dec 13, 2019

Next Six Months: Even More Opportunities for ABI Members to Be Involved

One thing I’ve learned from former ABI Chairs is that the second half of the term is even more eventful than the first. 

Nov 8, 2019

ABI Events Provide Value, Keep Focus on the Future

As these activities illustrate, ABI works all year long to advance an agenda that provides value to your business and keeps a focus on the future.

Oct 11, 2019

ABI Members: Well-read and Well-informed

The authors and books you will see featured here are interesting and thought-provoking.

Sep 13, 2019

Members Place a Premium on Education, Learning

The association significantly increased the number of programs and events it holds each year. 

Aug 9, 2019

Events Connect Members with Valuable Information, Each Other

In any given month somewhere around Iowa, you can attend an ABI program.

Jul 12, 2019

2020 ABI Public Policy Development Begins

Committee meetings, which are strictly for members only, allow for engagement and dialogue with other members on key issues facing Iowa employers.

Jul 12, 2019

Future in Focus in 2020

My goal as chair of ABI is to continue expanding the association’s incredible record of positive impact on Iowa—from policy, to programming, to foundation programs, and to the 2020 annual conference. 

May 10, 2019

ABI Conference: The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Business

The 2019 Taking Care of Business Conference will be held June 4-6, and you simply won’t believe the incredible program in store for you.

Apr 12, 2019

Iowa’s Rural Economy: Terrific Things Happening, More Work to Do

There are terrific things happening in rural Iowa, but there is more work to do.

Mar 8, 2019

ABI and Its Members: Working Hard on Workforce Development

This edition of Business Record Iowa carries a great cover story about workforce, with a focus on developing leaders and mentors.

Feb 8, 2019

An Inside Look at the Ames Business Community

One of our state’s most important assets is the focus of this edition of Business Record Iowa.

Jan 11, 2019

An Inside Look at the 2019 Legislative Session

This edition of ABI’s monthly journal is focused on the upcoming session and on business issues that will be considered by the Iowa Legislature this year.

Dec 14, 2018

An Inside Look at Iowa’s Healthcare Industry

This month’s edition of Business Record Iowa focuses on an issue important to employees and their employers: Iowa’s healthcare industry. 

Nov 9, 2018

ABI Provides Value to Your Business All Year Long

Growing your business and growing Iowa communities are the top priority for ABI.

Oct 12, 2018

Iowa is Better When Iowans Vote

This edition of Business Record Iowa is all about previewing next month’s election and getting out the vote. 

Sep 14, 2018

ABI Offers Even More Opportunities to Network, Grow Your Business

One topic that is often discussed at ABI events is the latest in technology, and that topic (new technologies and changes in the way business is conducted) is the focus of this month’s cover story.

Aug 10, 2018

Iowa-grown Businesses and the Entrepreneurs Behind Them

If you like stories about Iowa companies that have grown and been successful, then you will enjoy this edition of Business Record Iowa. 

Jul 13, 2018

Uplifting Downtime: Iowa Business Leaders Find Therapy, Challenge in Hobbies

While they excel in the office, these business leaders use their free time to have fun and to grow and learn.

Jul 13, 2018

Building on the Best

ABI members tend to work very hard, but they like to do interesting things in their spare time.

Jun 1, 2018

ABI’s Strength is in Its Members

Each year, ABI surveys member-company CEOs. Their insights are always interesting, and they make the survey edition one of the most popular Business Record Iowa editions of the year.

May 11, 2018

Iowans and Employers: Involved in Their Communities, State

This edition of Business Record Iowa is all about what makes our state a great place to live, work and grow a business.

Apr 13, 2018

Learn How Other Leaders Keep Up on Best Practices

If you’re like me, you enjoy learning how others keep up on best practices.

Mar 9, 2018

The Importance of Transportation Infrastructure to Iowa

As a manufacturer, I can tell you the importance of transportation  — and our state’s transportation infrastructure — to business in Iowa. 

Feb 9, 2018

The Creative Corridor is an Economic Engine for Iowa

This edition's cover story focuses on one of our state’s important assets–Iowa’s Creative Corridor, the region encompassing Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and nearby counties.

Jan 12, 2018

Looking Ahead to the 2018 Session

This edition of ABI’s monthly journal is focused on the upcoming session and on issues that will be considered by the Iowa Legislature this year.

Dec 8, 2017

Partnerships Between Businesses, Higher Ed are Powerful

This month’s edition of Business Record Iowa focuses on the terrific partnerships that exist in this state between business and our institutions of higher education. 

Nov 10, 2017

ABI Works All Year Long for You

ABI works all year long to advance an agenda that provides value to your business. 

Oct 13, 2017

Manufacturing Has Huge Impact on Iowa’s Economy

Manufacturing and its huge positive economic impact on Iowa is what this edition of Business Record Iowa is all about. 

Sep 8, 2017

2017 Sees Record Setting Policy Participation by ABI Members

Some of the most important work done by ABI each year relates to public policy. The most important part of that work is the strong participation by ABI members in the development of and advocacy for policies that help Iowa grow.

Aug 11, 2017

ABI educates members from the Boardroom to the Statehouse

This edition of Business Record Iowa is all about “back-to-school.”

Mar 10, 2017

Silent leaders help drive Iowa's economy

Feb 10, 2017

Member couples show teamwork leads to success

This edition of Business Record Iowa has a fun feature story. It focuses on romance and partnerships among ABI business leaders.

Oct 14, 2016

Commentary: Help Support Business Candidates During 40 Days of Voting Campaign

ABI is conducting a 40 Days of Voting Campaign to promote voter participation and raise money to support candidates who have a record of championing Iowa businesses.

Sep 9, 2016

Efficiency Profile: John Deere Des Moines Works

LED lighting, heating system upgrades reduce energy usage

Feb 12, 2016

FY16 remains strong for ABI

February is the seventh month in the ABI fiscal year. With the year more than half over, it is clear that the association is enjoying one of its best years ever.

Jan 8, 2016

Use the Iowa Caucus Toolkit to help prepare for Feb. 1

In last month’s edition of Business Record Iowa, I noted that successful companies are always looking ahead, and that November’s election is something to which we should all look ahead. This edition of ABI’s monthly journal is about something that is just as important as looking ahead. That is action.