ABI Holds Successful Events - Monday Memo 3-15-15

March 15, 2015

Annual Day on the Hill, IIPAC Luncheon Big Success

ABI is celebrating another successful annual Day on the Hill and IIPAC Luncheon held last week.  As for Day on the Hill, this year marked the first time our association has partnered with another organization on this event.  The Iowa Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business was our partner and expanding the list of partners for next year's event is under consideration.

After returning from personal lobbying visits at the Statehouse and a meeting with Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad in his formal office, donors participated in the annual IIPAC Luncheon.  Iowa House majority leader Linda Upmeyer headlined the event and briefed attendees on the latest from the State Capitol.  Following the luncheon, the ABI Board of Directors held its March meeting (please see below for more information about the board meeting).  The day, and the event held the night before with Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, were a terrific success; thank you for making it so.

Board Holds Action-Packed Meeting

Speaking of the ABI Board of Directors, ABI Chair Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly) led the board in a very substantive meeting last Wednesday in Des Moines.  The board took action on a number of fronts.  

The board acted on a change in ABI's positions with regard to public policy, received a report from Mark about the Engage ABI initiative, and approved a resulting recommendation related to educating Iowans about ABI.  By consensus, the board also approved a new ABI logo, which will be officially unveiled at the 2015 annual conference. 

The board meeting concluded with business reports by board members.  Thank you to all who participated.

ABI Workers Compensation Program Next Week

The 2015 ABI Workers Compensation Program will be held a week from Wednesday, March 25, at the Prairie Meadows Events Center in Altoona.  Your risk management and HR staff will find the latest in rulings, best practice-sharing, and other items related to work comp at the meeting. 

Find more information and register now at http://www.cvent.com/events/workers-compensation-best-practices-lessons-learned-and-ideas-from-the-innovators/event-summary-054817b6a54c46d59bec6a2461f7b75b.aspx.  Don't miss this opportunity to access information that positively impacts your bottom line.

ABI Executive Committee Meeting April 8; Next Board Meeting May 6

The ABI Executive Committee will next meet (by teleconference) on April 8.  The next meeting of the ABI Board of Directors will be held on May 6 at the Prairie Links Golf and Events Center in Waverly.  The board will meet that morning, but for those board members coming the night before, ABI will reserve a block of hotel rooms and  the ABI Executive Committee will host a dinner on the evening of May 5 for all board members who are already in town.  Please watch for more information soon.

LI, BH Nominations Encouraged

Leadership Iowa and Business Horizons are two of the ABI Foundation’s flagship programs.  LI is one of America’s oldest and most successful leadership development programs.  BH provides a terrific week-long entrepreneurial experience for Iowa high school students each summer.  The 2015-2016 Leadership Iowa Class will convene in October and Business Horizons 2015 will be held in June at Central College in Pella.

Now is the time that you can help the program in an important way.  Nominate participants for LI and students for BH.  Making nominations doesn’t cost a cent and is easy to do.  Simply click on www.leadershipiowa.com and/orwww.buisnesshorizonsiowa.com  for more information and to make your nominations. 

2015 Taking Care of Business Conference in the Quad Cities June 10-12

The 2015 Iowa Taking Care of Business Conference, ABI's 112th Annual Convention, will be held June 10-12 in the Quad Cities.  This really is shaping up to be a terrific annual conference and you won't want to miss it.  The two conference hotels are the Black Hawk and the Isle of Capri.  They are great hotels and are filling quickly, so please make your  reservations now by going to the conference website and accessing lodging information. 

For more information or to register, go now to http://www.cvent.com/events/2015-annual-abi-conference/event-summary-03d0fa194e70462bad589a50955c2275.aspx.

Iowa STEM Summit in Two Weeks

ABI members are invited to the 2015 Iowa Statewide STEM Conference to be held later this month.  The summit will be held on March 30 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.  State officials, business leaders, educators, and others will be a part of this event.  Register now for this excellent event at:  http://www.iowastem.gov/2015Summit

Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference May 13-14 in Greater Kansas City

The second annual Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference will be held on May 14 and 15 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas.  The agenda for the conference is terrific and packed full of high-value information.  Your compliance staff will find no better resource of the very latest in environmental regulatory information.  ABI receives financial support for every Iowa participant that registers for the conference.  While that is a great incentive, the real reason to attend is for the high-value program.  Please consider sending your staff to the conference.  Find out more information and register by clicking on http://mecconference.com/kansas-city/

Schools from Other States ALSO Part of NCAA Tournament

In last week's memorandum, I mentioned some Iowa universities that are sure to be selected for participation in this year's NCAA National Basketball Tournament.  I was reminded that other states may also have schools participating in March Madness (who knew). 

One of those reminders came from ABI Executive Committee Member David Bywater (Tru Art Color Graphics, Iowa City).  I won't tell you where David earned his degree, but the words Rock Chalk, Jayhawk may give you a clue!

Daryl  Bouwkamp Featured in Register Article

Daryl Bouwkamp (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) is an expert on exports and their importance to American manufacturers.  It was a pleasure to read a story featuring Daryl in today's Des Moines Register.  The story focused on exports  and ways to boost them, especially  by central Iowa companies.  Thank you, Daryl and Vermeer Corporation, for continuing to highlight manufacturing and exports!

ABI Members Make Ethisphere 'Most Ethical' List

Three ABI member companies have been named among the most ethical in the world, according to the Ethisphere Institute. Ethisphere recognizes companies that define and advance the standards of ethical business practices.  Deere & Co., Principal Financial Group Inc., and Rockwell Collins Inc. were named to the 2015 list.

Congratulations to these companies and to ABI Board Members Andy Hansen (John Deere, Ankeny) and Merle Pederson (Principal Financial Group, Des Moines)!  The full list of the 2015 World's Most Ethical Companies can be found online.

Former Chair Joe Ryan Doing Well

Many members of the board will recall former ABI Chair Joe Ryan (Delevan Corporation, West Des Moines) and his wife, Madonna.  Joe was dealing with some health issues of late, but thanks to ABI Board Member Rand Fisher (Iowa Area Development Group, West Des Moines), we can report that Joe is now doing better.  While Joe continues to battle some issues, he is doing better and fondly remembers his involvement with ABI.  It is good to know that Joe and Madonna are doing better and thank you, Rand, for the report.