Providing Value to Members in 2022 and Beyond
December 2, 2022 | Mike Ralston, ABI President
As ABI prepares to close the books on 2022, several things are evident. The most important of these is that, thanks to your investment through participation and in dollars, the association has experienced one of its best years ever.
In measurable ways, ABI re-wrote the record book regarding a number of important objectives. All that really means is that ABI did its job in providing value to its members. It also means that the association must be even more focused on continuing that work in the coming year.
It starts at the top, and I can assure you that ABI Chair Kim Augspurger and ABI's other officers and directors are providing strong leadership. They never lose sight of the fact that value for members is what makes ABI succeed.
Likewise, all of us on staff know that serving members is our top priority. The good news is that the beginning of the year gives ample opportunity to do just that.
ABI's second-largest annual event, the annual legislative briefing and reception, will be held January 11 in downtown Des Moines. More than 500 ABI members and top state officials will be on hand for this terrific event. If you haven't already, register here. Other important events, such as the next session of Leadership Iowa, are also on tap in January.
Between now and June, of course, everything builds towards the 2023 Taking Care of Business Conference. The conference, ABI's 120th annual convention, will be held in Cedar Rapids June 13-15. This will be a truly spectacular event and you do not want to miss it. Watch for exciting news about the conference in the coming weeks.
Lastly, while ABI is always all about the members, it is the ABI staff that implements the board's vision each year. Please join me in thanking Nicole Crain, Kendall Antle, Becky Coady, JD Davis, Jane Galloway, Brad Hartkopf, Levi Lefebure, Jessi McQuerrey, Holly Mueggenberg, Kelsey Smith, and Michelle Vollstedt. Thanks, too, to Katelyn Adams for her help with ABI communications during the year and to York Meggison for his work as ABI’s intern. Thank you as well to Kerry Servas for her work in membership development. Finally, we also thank ABI board member Michele Farrell for leading ABI’s Elevate initiative. This group provided great service to ABI in 2022. ABI is fortunate to have a terrific group of talented professionals on staff, and they care deeply about providing first-class service.
And, as always, thank you to YOU, ABI's members, for your support. Best wishes for a safe and productive new year.