Second "Bringing Boji Back" Event Coming in August - 8/25/18

June 25, 2018

Register now for Second-Annual Okoboji Connecting Statewide Leaders Event

ABI members love the Iowa Great Lakes.  In honor of that, ABI is hosting the second edition of a high-value Connecting Statewide Leaders event designed for company leaders at the Lakes in August. 

Register now for the Bringing Boji Back event, which will be held August 1st and 2nd.  A company tour, great programming, great networking, and great venues will mark the event.  

Find more information and register now at: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders-bringing-boji-back/event-summary-fdc283cb22ec41a2abb45c3527f13328.aspx.  Please note that after registering for the event, you will want to make your lodging reservation at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center.  The deadline for the ABI rate is July 6. 

If you click on the link above, you can see the great program already in place, but just know there is much more to come. ABI staff members are now in the process of finalizing details, speakers, and program items.  Believe me when I tell you this will be a high-value event.  After last year’s terrific first session, there has been a great deal of interest in this event and I know you will want to attend.  See you at the Lakes in August! 

Online Foundation Auction Ends at Noon This Friday

In last week’s Monday Memo, you saw information about the latest online auction to benefit the ABI Foundation.  The auction involves fabulous furniture donated by Allsteel.  

Thank you to those of you have already placed bids, but more of you have told me you are interested. Well, you have until noon on Friday (June 29) to place your bid.  Please use this link to participate in the auction: https://www.32auctions.com/ABIFAuction2018.  When you access the link, you’ll find information about the auction and you can click on a green button to see photos of the furniture.  

As I noted last week, these are high-value items that will not only look beautiful in your plant or office, but will also help your facility teams be productive and comfortable. Thank you once more to all bidders and to Allsteel and ABI Board Member Steven Bradford (HNI Corporation, Muscatine)

Annual Business Horizons Program Three Weeks Away

Business Horizons 2018, the ABI Foundation’s annual entrepreneurism experience for high school students, will kick off three weeks from yesterday at Central College in Pella.   Thank you to those of you who have provided help for this popular annual program.  Your employees, whether they serve as industry advisors or in other roles, play a critical role in the longtime success of this important program.  

And most importantly, thank you for nominating/sponsoring students. The data confirms that BH plays a positive role in letting our young people know they have a bright future right here in Iowa.  Look for a full report on this year’s BH session at the September meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. 

First Executive Committee Meeting of New Fiscal Year in Two Weeks

The ABI Board of Directors will hold its first meeting of FY19 on September 12.  As for the Executive Committee, incoming ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) will call to order the first FY18 meeting on July 11.  Committee members should watch for the usual packet of meeting materials to arrive in your email in-basket sometime next week. 

Plan Now for August Policy Committee Meetings; More EPIC Interviews Tomorrow

While it seems like just yesterday that ABI celebrated adjournment of one of the most impactful Iowa legislative sessions ever, the association is already deep into planning for next year’s session.  With the completion of the regional policy meetings earlier this month, work now shifts to the annual policy committee meetings to be held in August. 

Through the annual policy meetings, literally hundreds of ABI members will come together to shape the public policy agenda for the association for 2019.  You and your employees are key to the success of these meetings and it is not too early to get the meeting dates on your calendar.  Click here for more information or to register: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/

As always, you as board members will have the final say on ABI policies for 2019.  Final action will occur at the September meeting of the board.  

And, speaking of ABI’s public policy work, another round of candidate interviews related to Economic Progress for Iowa’s Citizens will be held at ABI tomorrow. You will recall that EPIC is the coalition of business groups coordinated by ABI and the organization’s members interview candidates for open seat legislative and statewide races.  

The full day of interviews on Tuesday will mark the fourth session of EPIC interviews this year. The interviews are a great resource in determining the business views of candidates and thanks to all who participate. 

2018 ABI Executive Open August 27

ABI’s annual Executive Open is one of the association’s most popular events.  The 2018 Open will be held Monday, August 27 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines.  Because spots fill so quickly, you may wish to register now.  If so, go here: http://www.cvent.com/events/abi-executive-open-2018/event-summary-5649dbb1599a4a19b881d3714e7303ca.aspx.  See you in West Des Moines in August! 

Michael Sadler 1967-2018; Fred Lisle Center of Excellence

The last 90 days have been a terrible time for losses in the Iowa business community. First, Fred Lisle (Lisle Corporation, Clarinda) back in March and now Michael Sadler (CenturyLink, Des Moines). Read about Michael here: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/06/21/michael-anthony-sadler-obituary-iowa-des-moines-polk-county-centurylink-urbandale-andeweg-dowling/723720002/

Related to that, I have been asked about filling ABI’s open officer position. That vacancy will be addressed by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, Michael’s funeral will be held at 10:00 this morning here in Des Moines.  Please refer to the message about Michael that I sent last Thursday.  We surely mourn his passing, but we just as surely celebrate his life. 

Speaking of Fred, he will be honored tomorrow by Iowa Western Community College, where he was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees.  In his honor, Iowa Western will name and dedicate the Fred Lisle Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing.  This well-deserved honor fits Fred’s legacy perfectly.  Congratulations to his family and to everyone at Lisle, including company President (and Fred’s niece) and ABI Director Mary Landhuis (Lisle Corporation, Clarinda)

Register Carries David Fisher DSM Airport Terminal Essay

Today’s Des Moines Register carries a thoughtful essay written by former ABI Chair David Fisher (Onthank, Company, Des Moines).  David writes compellingly about the need for a new main airport terminal.  Read the column for yourself by clicking here: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2018/06/23/des-moines-international-airport-has-critical-need-new-terminal/722389002/.  Congratulations on the coverage, David! 

Barbara White Fighting Cancer

Many of you well remember and know former ABI Chair Dick White (John Deere, Ankeny).  Dick led the Deere operations in Ankeny and led ABI in 1990. 

Dick’s wife, Barbara White, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I am told Barbara’s prognosis is excellent and she is fighting with a positive spirit.  Thank you to ABI Board Member Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Urbandale) for the news and we’ll keep Barbara and Dick in our prayers.