From the Desk of Mike Ralston, ABI President

ABI begins a new fiscal year each July. However, the date is much more than a simple accounting mark.

July is important to ABI, because it provides the opportunity to take stock of the year past and prepare for success in the year ahead. First, did we meet the charge from the Board of Directors to be fiscally responsible? Did we meet our financial goals during the past year and are we well established for the year ahead? Second and just as important, did we meet our programming goals? Is ABI serving members and providing resources that help improve member companies' bottom line?

The answers to those questions better be in the affirmative. Each ABI member company has countless demands for support, with more arriving every day. For ABI to deserve your investment, our organization better be providing value. It is that focus that is the goal all year at ABI, but especially every July 1.

Speaking of programming, it never stops, of course. Summer is huge time for ABI (and ABI Foundation) programs and events. EPIC and IIPAC, Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa University, board orientations and executive committee meetings; these and so much more are a part of summer work at ABI. Visit our online events calendar often to ensure that you and your employees are taking advantage of all the great programming available to you.

Finally, please allow me to thank you for making the 2022 ABI Taking Care of Business Conference a smashing success. Over 500 ABI members from Iowa and beyond converged on Dubuque last month. Thanks to you, the event was a terrific annual meeting. ABI Chair Jack Hasken promised a fabulous annual meeting and wow, did he and the conference committee deliver! Of course, plans are already well underway for the 2023 conference. New ABI Chair Kim Augspurger and all of us are looking forward to seeing you in Cedar Rapids next June!

In the meantime and on behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you once more for your support and investment in ABI. It is never, ever taken for granted.