Members are key to ABI’s public policy success

Some of the most important work done by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) each year relates to public policy. For 113 years, ABI has represented our members as the voice of Iowa business. 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.

When the annual policy development process is completed at this month’s board meeting, members representing more than 100 companies will have participated in one or more venues throughout the state. That is terrific participation and it sets the stage for the real work that follows – communication with state administrators and elected officials of both parties all across Iowa.

You and your fellow ABI members are the key reason that ABI has experienced its award-winning public policy success over the past several decades. ABI has been fortunate to have some of the best public policy experts as staff members over the years and the current team is no exception. But even they tell us that you and your employees are critical to our success.

Legislators and state officials want to hear from you. They want to see your operations, meet your employees and learn about your business. They want to support policies that will help you grow your business and create jobs. The best way to help them do that is to invite them to visit your facility. When you open these lines of communication, you are doing the most important thing you can do to help advance ABI’s public policy agenda.

Thank you for your strong participation in ABI’s policy work and thank you in advance for your work with your legislative delegation.

Allow me to end with a note about next month’s Advanced Manufacturing Conference and the second Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner, which is hosted by Elevate Advanced Manufacturing. Both events should be on your calendar (October 3-4 at Prairie Meadows Events Center) and I hope to see you there. Click here to find out more. In the meantime and as always, thank you for your support.