ABI Conference Registration Opens in 10 Days - Monday Memo 2/10/20
February 10, 2020
ABI to Release Taking Care of Business Conference Media Info; Conference Registration Live on the 20th
A team of ABI leaders and staff members have made multiple visits to Cedar Rapids over the past several months. Led by ABI Chair Cindy Dietz (Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids), the team has participated in meetings and tours related to the annual Taking Care of Business Conference. The Conference Committee will meet at ABI tomorrow, as planning continues for the 2020 Taking Care of Business Conference to be held in Ames June 9-11.
Preparations for the conference now begin in even greater earnest. A major development is the release of media information on the 20th of this month. And, watch for registration to be live that same day, February 20th. At that time, register and, if you haven’t already done so, please make your lodging reservations. While one of the conference hotels is nearly sold-out, plenty of other great options remain. Go here for more information: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/annual-conference/.
Iowa Business Day on the Hill A Month Away
The 2020 version of ABI's Business Day on the Hill will be held Wednesday, March 11. The program begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the ABI office in Des Moines' East Village (plenty of convenient free parking is available). Following a continental breakfast and an exclusive update with the latest information from the General Assembly, participants will be taken to the Capitol for meetings with legislators and other leaders.
There will be many highlights during the day. For instance, you'll have plenty of time to speak with your legislators, look around Iowa's beautiful Statehouse, and conduct other business. Register now at http://www.cvent.com/events/iowa-business-day-on-the-hill-2020/event-summary-14ba4850e3374beaba2e831032d05951.aspx.
This year, ABI Day on the Hill has again become Business Day on the Hill, as our association is partnering with the Iowa Business Council, the Iowa Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, the Iowa Taxpayers Association, and the National Association of Women Business Owners. On behalf of our ABI officers, thank you in advance for your participation in this year’s event.
ABI Board Will Meet March 11; Executive Committee Wednesday
The next ABI Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 11, in Des Moines. ABI Chair Cindy Dietz (Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids) will lead the meeting, which will be held at the ABI Office in downtown Des Moines.
In addition to the latest news from the Statehouse, a full agenda will be on tap for the meeting and I hope you can all attend. Watch for the usual packet of materials to arrive in your email in-basket about a week in advance of the meeting.
By the way, the association’s Executive Committee will hold its regular monthly teleconference this Wednesday.
Legislative Update Friday
Every two weeks throughout the legislative session, ABI lobbyists host a teleconference to give you the very latest information from the Statehouse. Updates on bills, legislative proposals, state actions, and other matters are covered in each call. Your specific questions about those topics are also very much welcomed.
The next call will be held a week this Friday, February 14th, at 8:00 a.m. and you and your employees are encouraged to participate. The members-only call is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register by emailing Michelle Vollstedt at mvollstedt@iowaabi.org.
Still time to Register for Thursday’s ABI Seminar in Fairfield
As I mentioned last week, a popular ABI seminar will be produced again. This time, it will be held at longtime ABI member Agri-Industrial Plastics Company in Fairfield on Thursday (February 13).
The seminar focuses on how to build value in your business, on ways to positon your business for sustained success, and on how to transition it to the next generation of ownership. The seminar has received high marks for its value. Register now for this program, which starts with lunch at noon and concludes by 3:00 that afternoon. Find more information and register here: http://www.cvent.com/events/building-business-value-february-2020/event-summary-b2e9dbaf593b4f029acbeb67ed09081c.aspx. Don’t miss this terrific program! In the meantime, thank you to former ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield) and her team for hosting this event.
Building Business Value Also Presented March 5 in Muscatine
By the way, this seminar will also be produced on March 5th in Muscatine. To register for that program, please click here: http://www.cvent.com/events/building-business-value-muscatine/event-summary-e4887bd89ae847f7b2be4fb8e96c9f86.aspx.
Also in Muscatine on March 5: Latest Connecting Statewide Leaders Event
The next ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held March 5 in Muscatine. A high-value panel and networking will all be a part of the program, which is focused on the future of manufacturing in Iowa. Click here for more information and to register: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders-muscatine/event-summary-9ee6723caeab463ca8f0ab008e989441.aspx. These programs are ways to gain information and connect with your fellow ABI members, Leadership Iowa Class members, local business leaders, and others.
Advisory Council Meeting Next Week
Members of the ABI Advisory Council provide leadership in many ways. Certainly their financial support to ABI is important, but of even greater value are the people and information these great companies provide to ABI members. The council will hold its monthly meeting next week in Des Moines. Please join me in thanking the members of the council. They are 21st Century Rehab, ACS, BCC Advisers, BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC Insurance, Focus OneSource, Fredrikson & Byron, HDH Advisors, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Principal Midwest Business Center, Shift Interactive, The Iowa Clinic, and Wells Fargo.
Don’t forget to Listen to Iowa Business Report Radio Show
The sixth episode of ABI-supported Iowa Business Report radio show has now been broadcast statewide and if you missed it, you can listen online. Click here to listen for yourself: http://iowabusinessreport.buzzsprout.com/. Links can also be found on the ABI website at https://www.iowaabi.org/news/iowa-business-report/.
ABI is pleased to support the show, which is produced by well-known Iowa broadcaster Jeff Stein and heard on stations all over Iowa. The latest episode is another terrific edition, with a number of great features.
Foundation Auction Coming in June
Members of the ABI Foundation staff are calling all ABI members. With the annual Taking Care of Business conference just a few months away, the ABI Foundation is revving up for its annual conference auction. An auction committee, first developed last year, has ensured that an exciting auction will be held. If you have donated action items in the past, we hope you will be moved to do so again.
If you haven’t donated items to the auction, we hope you will take a moment to think about how you or your business can contribute. The conference auction is vital to the success and sustainability of the Foundation’s life-changing programs. To make arrangements, please contact Rebecca (Becky) Coady at 515-235-0569 or rcoady@iowaabi.org.
Biennial ABI Pre-Employment Testing Seminar March 26 in Des Moines
The biennial ABI Pre-Employment testing Seminar will be held on March 26 at ABI. The program will include the latest information about legal issues related to pre-employment testing and the latest information about best practices being utilized by other companies. Click here for more information or to register: http://www.cvent.com/events/pre-employment-testing-process-seminar/event-summary-4585231707b146178b17c93a1247762f.aspx. We look forward to seeing you at the seminar on March 26.
Annual Cedar Valley Legislative Reception Tomorrow Evening
Another great ABI member/partner is coming town. Grow Cedar Valley, formerly, the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, is hosting its annual legislative reception tomorrow night in Des Moines. Welcome and best wishes to GCV members for what is always a great event!
Butlers Establish Babson College Institute
Former ABI Chair John Butler (Cottingham & Butler, Dubuque) is a well-known business leader and philanthropist. The latest example of John’s leadership and giving is a big one. John, his wife Alice Butler, and their son Andrew Butler (Cottingham, & Butler, Dubuque) have provided $10 million to establish the Butler Institute for Free Enterprise through Entrepreneurism at renowned Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
This fabulous gift should enable a whole new generation of entrepreneurs. Read more about it here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/babson-college-establishes-butler-institute-for-free-enterprise-through-entrepreneurship-301001023.html. ABI salutes and congratulates John, Alice, and Andy on this terrific initiative! (Note: Thank you to ABI Communications Manager David Hildahl for making sure I knew about this gift.)
Sukup Manufacturing Co. Introduces New Website
Longtime ABI member Sukup Manufacturing Co. is a leader in innovation in its products and in all things. In that regard, the company recently introduced a new website. It has several innovative features, in addition to easier navigation and exciting graphics. Check it out for yourself at https://sukup.com/. Congratulations to everyone at Sukup, including company board Chairman and former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) and company President and CEO Steve Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield)!