Iowa is Better When Iowans Vote

October 12, 2018 | A path to an informed electorate David Bywater, ABI Chair, Bankers Advertising/Tru Art,

This edition of Business Record Iowa is all about previewing next month’s election and getting out the vote. ABI members take voting seriously, and our organization provides a number of resources to help you and your employees make informed electoral choices.

One of those key resources is IAVotes, also known as the Iowa Prosperity Project. ABI is proud to support IAVotes, which is a partnership between the Business-Industry Political Action Committee and Economic Progress for Iowa’s Citizens (EPIC). EPIC is a coalition of Iowa business organizations that seeks to promote information about candidates and policies. It is important to share information about candidates, campaigns and policies with your employees and encourage them to vote. Iowa is better when Iowans vote.

Iowaabi.org is another great resource. See the Public Policy page on this website. You can also see the latest IIPAC endorsements under the News section along with upcoming events. It is not too early to make plans to attend two important ABI legislative events. On Jan. 16, 2019, ABI will hold its annual Legislative Reception in Des Moines. This event draws hundreds of Iowa business leaders and more state officials of both parties than any other similar event. Please save March 13, 2019, on your calendar for Iowa Business Day on the Hill. It is important to engage our legislators during the session to keep our priorities top of mind.

I recently participated in the Manufacturing Best Practices Road Show with over two dozen other ABI members. We toured Genesis and the John Deere Davenport Works and then proceeded to Chicago for an in-depth look at the Trumpf Smart Factory and the Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute. The group gained valuable insights into our more connected and automated future. The capabilities demonstrated were amazing. Automation will be a key solution to our growing workforce shortage.

As always, thank you for your support of ABI! I hope you will connect with your association at one of the many events in the coming weeks.