Big ABI Events Next Week - Monday Memo 3/5/18
March 5, 2018
Business Day on the Hill Events Monday and Tuesday of Next Week; Feenstra to Keynote IIPAC Luncheon
We're a week away from the association’s annual Day on the Hill program. Business Day on the Hill 2018 will be held TUESDAY, March 13 (the same day as the next ABI board meeting) at the ABI office in the East Village in Des Moines.
Day on the Hill is followed by a luncheon benefiting IIPAC, the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee. A leading statehouse official has been confirmed as the speaker for that event. Senator Randy Feenstra (R-Hull), Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, will headline the IIPAC luncheon. To register or find more information, please go to http://www.cvent.com/events/iowa-business-day-on-the-hill-2018/event-summary-9fc214479ee84d7ab2688d8959e27300.aspx. Or, simply reply to this message and we'll take care of the details for you. THERE IS NO CHARGE for ABI board members and former chairs who participate (except for the IIPAC luncheon). See you next week!
2018 Convention Website Live; Register for Convention NOW!
Many of you have already made your reservations for the ABI Annual Convention, the 2018 Taking Care of Business Conference. For those who have not yet registered, you can do so now. Simply click on http://www.cvent.com/events/2018-abi-taking-care-of-business-conference/event-summary-10c1c9760a3e4dd682c42cdc092b358e.aspx for all kinds of information about the convention speakers and terrific Coralville-Iowa City venues.
Based on our fantastic speakers, fabulous Greater Iowa City location, and great program, I can assure you this 115th annual convention, which will be held June 5-7, will be a spectacular event. The bottom line is that you simply won’t want to miss it. Click on the link above and make your convention reservation now.
ABI Board to Meet Next Week; May Meeting in Garner
The next meeting of the ABI Board of Directors will be held a week from tomorrow, on March 13. ABI Chair David Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner) will call the meeting to order that afternoon at the ABI Office in Des Moines’ East Village.
As you have read previously and in addition to an important meeting, the board will also participate in other events throughout the day. Things actually begin with the annual Day on the Hill program that morning and the IIPAC luncheon at noon, followed by the Board of Directors meeting. See you in Des Moines on March 13.
Please remember the location for the board's May meeting. The May meeting will be held May 2 in Garner. The board meeting will be held at the Garner Golf Course (http://www.garnergolfcourse.com/) and tours of Stellar Industries will also be on tap. Details are now being finalized, so watch for more information soon.
ABI CFO Roundtable; Elevate Ambassadors Orientation Session to be Held Thursday
Two ABI groups will be meeting this Thursday, March 8. Beginning late morning, the ABI CFO Roundtable will convene for another session. That session will be held at longtime ABI member company LMC.
Early that afternoon, the next orientation session for ambassadors for ABI’s Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative will be held in Des Moines. The Elevate Ambassadors are important assets for Elevate. Please reply to this memo for information about either meeting.
Legislative Update Teleconference a Week from Friday
ABI Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain, Director Public Policy Jessica Hyland, and Coordinator Public Policy Brad Hartkopf will again host a teleconference to give you the very latest information from the Statehouse. Updates on bills, legislative proposals, state actions, and other matters will be covered in the call. Your specific questions about those topics are also very much welcomed.
The next call will be held a week from Friday, on March 16th, at 8:00 a.m. and you and your employees are encouraged to participate. The members-only call is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register at http://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/94-abi-members-only-legislative-conference-calls/.
Now is the Time for Your Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa Nominations
As you know, Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa are two of the ABI Foundation’s most successful programs. For several decades, these programs have been making our state better.
Your nominations are vital to ensuring the quality of the programs continues. Nominating your employees and community people is easy and it is FREE. Go to https://www.iowaabi.org/abi-foundation/foundation-programs/ for general program information and to make your nominations. And, look for a full report about Foundation activities at next week's meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.
Great ABI Events Held in Fairfield
Held in Fairfield last week were the latest session of the 2017-2018 Leadership Iowa Class and the latest edition of the ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders events. Both events were hugely successful and thank you to ABI leaders who played leadership roles in the events, including Immediate Past ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield), former ABI Board Members Dick Smith (Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield) and Nate Weaton (Weaton Capital, Fairfield), and ABI Advisory Council Member Michael Teachout (Focus OneSource, West Des Moines), among others.
Biennial Drug Testing Seminar Later This Month
Every two years, ABI hosts a Drug Testing Seminar. This year's event will be held on March 22 at ABI.
The program will include the latest information on the subject, as well as information about best practices being utilized by other companies. Click here for more information and to register: http://www.cvent.com/events/employee-drug-testing-program-signs-symptoms-solutions/event-summary-ae2c7d6158bb4691a442c9f05e7d105e.aspx.
NAM Report Documents Financial Markets Volatility
This week's edition of the National Association of Manufacturers' Monday Economic Report is a sobering one. It highlights several data points that confirm a great deal of volatility in the financial markets. However, manufacturing activity in the United States continues to grow, albeit at a nominal rate. If you wish to read the report for yourself, simply reply to this memo and I will get it to you at once.
Michael Sadler Celebrates Tomorrow
Longtime ABI Board Member Michael Sadler (CenturyLink, Des Moines) celebrates his birthday tomorrow. ABI sends happy birthday wishes to Michael Sadler!
Jerry Patterson to Lead Principal Business
ABI Board Member Jerry Patterson (Principal, Des Moines) has been named to become the Senior Vice President leading the full service retirement and individual investor businesses for Principal’s Retirement and Income Solutions Group. The promotion is effective early in the next quarter. ABI congratulates Jerry Patterson!