More Legislative Roundtables This Week - Monday Memo 12/11/17
December 11, 2017
Legislative Roundtables Continue
As is typical for this time of year, the ABI public policy staff has been very busy meeting with legislators in their districts across Iowa. This is in preparation for the coming session of the Iowa General Assembly. The 2018 session will convene on Monday, January 8.
In addition to the usual one-on-one legislative meetings, ABI is hosting a series of legislative roundtables. The first two were held in Windsor Heights and Charles City in November and two more will be held this week. The next roundtable will be held in Fort Dodge tomorrow. A fourth will be held in Sioux City on Thursday.
Thank you to the many ABI members who are participating in these pre-session roundtables. Please contact the ABI office for more information.
First Quarterly ABI Iowa Business Survey to Close Wednesday
All board members and former Chairs of the Board should have received an email message from me last Wednesday related to the new ABI economic survey (which will be conducted quarterly). The first survey is now underway, and it will close at the end of the day Wednesday, December 13.
If you haven’t already completed the survey, which takes just a couple of minutes, please do so now. Survey results will be tabulated and shared with you, the public, and the media. Thank you for your participation in this new initiative.
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Officials, Legislators Want to See You at 2018 ABI Legislative Event; Register Now
ABI knows that Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, other state officials, and legislators of both parties attend the ABI Legislative Reception so they can see YOU. As you know, this event is one of the most popular events ABI hosts all year long. Also as you know, it is likely that over 500 people will attend the event, including more legislators of both parties than at any other similar event. I pointed out last week that the attendance of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, coupled with that of so many legislators and other state officials, is one more confirmation of your importance to Iowa policy makers. They attend because YOU attend.
The ABI staff is busy finalizing details related to the 2018 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, which will be held Wednesday, January 10 at the Iowa Taproom near the ABI Office in Des Moines. The briefing is your opportunity to hear the latest about legislative news and about ABI's agenda. You can then head right into the reception and share comments with your local legislators. Your participation and interaction with legislators is what makes this event a must-attend for Iowa policy-makers.
Go to the ABI Events webpage and click on http://www.cvent.com/events/2018-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-aa9c51846e394bc9851aa2329527436e.aspx. You’ll find all the information you need and can follow the easy instructions to register now. See you on January 10.
ABI Board of Directors to Meet in Four Weeks (January 10)
With the meeting of the ABI Executive Committee held last week, leadership meetings at the association are completed for the calendar year. In a little over four weeks, however, it will be time to begin meetings in the new year.
The first meeting of the ABI Board of Directors for 2018, led by ABI Chair David Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner), will be held January 10. This is the same date as the 2018 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception (see item above). You should receive the usual packet of meeting materials in about three weeks. Please contact me with any questions or comments and please make plans now to attend.
Members Use ABI Online Directory
About a year ago, after months of work, ABI’s new online member directory became operational. This just a reminder that the new directory allows you to check member company information, search industry partners, connect with ABI colleagues, and much more. Find the online directory log-in page here: https://www.iowaabi.org/member-directory/login/.
Advisory Council Members Add Value
Members of the ABI Advisory Council do much to advance the work of the association. Their leadership and support is never taken for granted. They have played a very large part in the increase in quality and quantity of ABI programs across Iowa.
Thank you to the members of the council for their work in 2017. And welcome to some new members for 2018. Thank you to 21st Century Rehab, BCC Advisers, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Far Reach, Focus OneSource, Global Reach, HDH Advisors, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Principal Financial Group, Shift Interactive, Tero, The Iowa Clinic, Transition Point Business Advisors, Wellmark, and Wells Fargo.
Clinton Regional Development Commission Annual Meeting Wednesday
ABI is fortunate to have many member partners who do big things for Iowa. One of these is the Clinton Regional Development Corporation, one of Iowa’s greatest development organizations. The CRDC Annual Meeting will be held in Clinton on Wednesday. Congratulations to the organization on a very successful 2017 and to two of its longtime leaders, ABI board members Tom Determann (CRDC, Clinton) and Rich Phelan (LyondellBasell, Clinton)!
Business Record Iowa in Your Mailbox
You should have received in the mail the latest edition of ABI's Business Record Iowa, published in conjunction with member Business Publications Corporation. BR Iowa is found inside the BPC's Des Moines Business Record. The cover this month features Sara Hunter (Vermeer Corporation, Pella). If you did not receive BR Iowa, let me know; we'll get one to you.
Busy Time for ABI Foundation Programs; Decorah LI Session
As usual, this time of year is a busy one for the ABI Foundation. The Board of Governors for the Leadership Iowa program will meet Friday and meetings of various Foundation committees will be held this week. All of this activity will be part of a complete report on Foundation programs that will be shared when the ABI Board of Directors meets in January.
In other Foundation-related news, the 2017-2018 Leadership Iowa Class held its third session last week in Decorah. The class heard from an incredible array of terrific speakers. You'll have an opportunity to meet the class at next month's ABI legislative reception.
Business Record Event Will Include Recognizing ABI Board of Directors
As you read in last week’s Monday Memo, ABI partner and member the Des Moines Business Record compiles an annual book of lists. One of the lists is a list of the top 25 most influential boards of directors in central Iowa and the state. The ABI Board of Directors will again be recognized this year as one of the most influential boards. The Business Record is hosting an event on January 4 to promote the Book of Lists and all of you are invited at attend. You can find more information here: http://www.businessrecord.com/Content/OURSPECIALTYPRODUCTS/OURSPECIALTYPRODUCTS/Article/BookofLists/177/839/41693. If you are available, please join us and attend.
NAM Report: “Manufacturing Expanded Robustly”
As you know from my frequent mention of them, I pay close attention to the publications of the National Association of Manufacturers. NAM publications are first-rate, and the Monday Economic Report is no exception.
Last week's Report led with an article that cited data showing that "manufacturing activity expanded robustly in November," and more solid growth is expected. As always, there was also lots of other good information. Please reply to this message if you wish to read the report.
Michael Sadler’s Nephew Honored
If you were watching television station KCCI (Channel 8 in Central Iowa) last night, you saw a wonderful feature story about a hardworking and talented young man. That young man is Trevon Young, a nephew of ABI board Member Michael Sadler (CenturyLink, Des Moines). Trevon excelled at football at Lincoln High School in Des Moines and earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Iowa.
Through very tough times, Trevon ended up excelling and graduating from Louisville University. He was recently awarded the Brian Piccolo Award for Courage from the Atlantic Coast Conference. And, he may well be headed to a career in the National Football League. See Trevon’s inspiring story here: http://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-native-trevon-young-earns-brian-piccolo-award-for-courage/14402632. Congratulations to Trevon Young and to his family, including Uncle Michael Sadler!
Celebrate at Shine Bros. Corp. Annual Holiday Party Friday
Don’t miss the annual Shine Bros. Corp. Holiday Party. This year’s event will be held Friday at the Shine Bros. headquarters in Spencer. You’ll see former ABI Chair Toby Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer) and former ABI Board Member Eva Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer). You’ll see other ABI board members and past chairs. And you’ll see state officials and Iowa leaders. All ABI board members and past chairs are invited. All you need to do is RSVP to Vicki at Shine Bros. at (712) 262-5579, extension 11, or at vicki@shinebros.com. See you there!
EFCO Highlights Innovation and Quality
Reading your company publications and newsletters is always a highlight. The company magazine for longtime ABI member EFCO is FORM MARKS, and it is always an interesting reading.
The latest edition arrived at ABI this week and it carries a terrific column by company Chairman and CEO (and former ABI Chair) Al Jennings (EFCO, Des Moines). The column is really a history of the company’s long record of innovation and quality engineering. Congratulations to everyone at EFCO, and if you wish to read the article for yourself, please contact me.
Steve Dust Celebrates
ABI Board Member Steve Dust (Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, Waterloo) recently celebrated his birthday (yesterday, I believe). Happy birthday, Steve!
The Business of ABI: Reserves Untouched for Eleventh Consecutive Year
Please allow me one operational note, one that I often share this time of year. For the eleventh consecutive year, ABI has not tapped its budgetary reserves. As you know, that is a reversal of an untenable situation that saw the association tap reserves for several years in a row. In fact, thanks to your leadership, ABI is growing. Why is that important? Because it allows the association to aggressively advance the agenda developed by the board and to serve members. Thank you -- and thanks to every ABI member -- for making that the case.