2022 Conference Site Visit Next Week - Monday Memo 10/21/19

October 21, 2019

Conference Site Visit Next Week; Workshop Proposals Sought

ABI Chair leaders and staff members will make a formal site visit to Dubuque a week from today.  This is in preparation for the 2022 Taking Care of Business Conference.  A fabulous program, exciting new venues, and terrific speakers will make the conference one of the very best ever. 

Related to the annual conference and as you know, ABI uses a sophisticated and competitive process to determine the content of breakout sessions that will be a part of the conference.  If you or your company are interested in being featured at the conference, please click on this link for information about submitting a proposal: https://www.dmacc.edu/dbr/Pages/workshop.aspx

Two and a Half Weeks Until November ABI Board Meeting

The November meeting of the ABI Board of Directors will be an important one.  On the agenda will be the usual operations and finance reports, a public policy update, and receipt of the annual audit (if available), among other business. 

ABI Chair Cindy Dietz (Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids) and board members will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6 at the ABI office in Des Moines' East Village.  Many of you have already registered for this free meeting of the board, but if not, please reply to this memorandum and I’ll make sure you are registered.  You will receive your board packet by email late next week.  In the meantime, thank you in advance for participating in this final board meeting of 2019.

ABI Ops Roundtable Wednesday at UEA in Waverly

The next session of ABI’s Operational Excellence Roundtable will be held Wednesday at a great member company, United Equipment Accessories in Waverly.  Your operations staff, engineering staff, shop managers, and others would find great value in the roundtable.  For more information, contact ABI Vice President Member Development and Programs at kanderson@iowaabi.org.  Many thanks to everyone at UEA for hosting the event, especially to company president and former ABI Chair Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly)!

Connecting Statewide Leaders Event December 5 in Fort Dodge with IDOEd Director Wise

The first 2019-2020 Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held December 5 in Fort Dodge.   This forum is the next opportunity to participate in the popular series of events ABI has hosted around Iowa over the course of the past few years. 

A luncheon follows the meeting and you will have a great opportunity to visit with fellow ABI members, meet the new Leadership Iowa class, and develop new customers.  Register now for this program, which will feature Dr. Ryan Wise, Director of the Iowa Department of Education: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-e3b7200d1fdc41bda126a27754945b8b.aspx.  Make your plans now to join the LI class and ABI members in Fort Dodge.

Building Business Value Seminar December 5

ABI will again produce its popular Building Business Value Seminar.  The seminar will take place at a session in Fort Dodge on December 5.  This is the same day as the Connecting Statewide Leaders event; attend both events.  Register here: http://www.cvent.com/events/building-business-value-december-2019/event-summary-1fb42836b53049e2bce0730a9212f5e3.aspx.  In the meantime, watch for more information soon.

Remember to Register for Manufacturing Best Practices Road Show

As you know, ABI and the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University (CIRAS) are again sponsoring a tour of digital manufacturing operations.  On November 12 and 13, ABI will take a manufacturing technology trip to north Iowa and to Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 12 and 13. 

You, your operations team, and senior engineering staff will find value in this trip.  Go here for more information: http://www.cvent.com/events/manufacturing-technology-road-show-minneapolis/event-summary-8dd1b76b9fb94c7c949f7b4b7664fa5f.aspx.

Register Now for 2020 ABI Legislative Reception

It is not too early to register for the 2020 edition of the ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, our organization’s second biggest annual event.  You can do so here: http://www.cvent.com/events/2020-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-2c2f288944e64f1aa787141a79efb869.aspx.  The 2020 Legislative Reception will again be held at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention center in downtown Des Moines.  Make plans now to attend.

NAM Reports Mixed Manufacturing Data

In today’s edition of the National Association of ManufacturersMonday Economic Report, data related to manufacturing across the country is decidedly mixed.  Mirroring what ABI members are seeing, continued pressure from trade uncertainty, materials costs, and workforce challenges are providing downward pressure on manufacturers.  Increased sales, new products, and innovative processes are providing optimism.  Reply to this memo if you wish to see the report.

Haskens Celebrate

Former ABI Chair Sarah McDonald Hasken and current ABI Board Member Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa) are great people and great ABI leaders.  It is a pleasure for ABI to join others in saluting Sarah and Jack on the anniversary of their wedding; Happy Anniversary, Jack and Sarah!

Bill Brown, Rick Tollakson Celebrate Birthdays

As they do every year at about this time, two ABI leaders are celebrating birthdays.  ABI Board Member Rick Tollakson (Hubbell Realty Company, West Des Moines) is celebrating his birthday on October 27th.   Former ABI Chair Bill Brown (BrownWinick, Des Moines) will celebrate his on November 2nd.  Happy birthday to Rick and Bill!