ABI Okoboji Forum in August - Monday Memo 6/24/19

June 24, 2019

Register now for Third-Annual ABI Okoboji Executive Forum

ABI members love the Iowa Great Lakes.  In keeping with that, ABI is hosting the third edition of a high-value executive forum designed for company leaders (and their teams) at the Lakes in August. 

Register now for the ABI Executive Forum event, which will be held August 1st.  Great programming, great networking, and great venues will mark the event.  

Find more information and register now at: http://www.cvent.com/events/okoboji-ceo-forum/attendees-15-86a0f03f9f4f45e280eeb6ece6d71713.aspx.  Please note that after registering for the event, you will want to make your lodging reservation at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center.  

If you click on the link above, you can see the great program already in place.  Terrific CEO presentations and a high-value panel are just part of the program.  Dinner at the brand new Parks Marina Boat Club, the Lakes Area’s newest venue, is also on tap.  ABI staff members are now in the process of finalizing details, speakers, and program items.  Believe me when I tell you this will be a great event.  After the past two years’ terrific sessions, there has been a great deal of interest in this event and I know you will want to attend.  See you at the Lakes in August! 

Annual Business Horizons Program Three Weeks Away; BH Board Meets Friday

Business Horizons 2019, the ABI Foundation’s annual entrepreneurism experience for high school students, will kick off three weeks from yesterday at Central College in Pella.   Thank you to those of you who have provided help for this popular annual program.  Your employees, whether they serve as industry advisors or in other roles, play a critical role in the longtime success of this important program.  

And most importantly, thank you for nominating/sponsoring students.  The data confirms that BH plays a positive role in letting our young people know they have a bright future right here in Iowa.  Look for a full report on this year’s BH session at the September meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. 

Putting the finishing touches on preparations for the 2019 BH session are the members of the Business Horizons Board of Directors.  That board will hold its June meeting this week, on Friday here at ABI.  Thank you to these volunteers for their leadership. 

Now Available: Grants through Iowa Employer Innovation Fund

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds last week announced that the Iowa Employer Innovation Fund was open and ready to accept applications for funds.  Created as a part of the Future Ready Iowa initiative, the Employer Innovation Fund will award grants to support activities that are innovative, creative, and accelerate postsecondary credential attainment for Iowans.  Applicants will be required to identify specific project goals that demonstrate measurable results. Awardees will be notified by September 1st.  Find more information at: https://www.futurereadyiowa.gov/innovation.  

First Executive Committee Meeting of New Fiscal Year in Two Weeks

The ABI Board of Directors will hold its first meeting of FY20 on September 11.  As for the Executive Committee, incoming ABI Chair Cindy Dietz (Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids) will call to order the first FY20 meeting on July 10.  Committee members should watch for the usual packet of meeting materials to arrive in your email in-basket sometime next week. 

Clinton to Host Manufacturing Roundtable; ABI Featured

The Clinton Regional Development Corporation is a longtime ABI member and one of our state’s best development organizations.  The CRDC is hosting another in a series of manufacturing roundtables later this week, on Friday morning.  Find more information and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iowa-assoc-of-business-industry-clinton-region-manufacturing-roundtable-tickets-62306854479

ABI is pleased to be featured as the roundtable program.  A team of us will be sharing information about ABI, our resources and programs for manufacturers, and a summary of the 2019 session of the Iowa General Assembly.   If you are in the area, register and stop by Friday.  We look forward to seeing you. 

Plan Now for August Policy Committee Meetings

While it seems like just yesterday that ABI celebrated adjournment of another successful Iowa legislative session, the association is already deep into planning for next year’s session.  With the completion of the regional policy meetings earlier this month, work now shifts to the annual policy committee meetings to be held in August. 

Through the annual policy meetings, literally hundreds of ABI members will come together to shape the public policy agenda for the association for 2020.  You and your employees are key to the success of these meetings and it is not too early to get the meeting dates on your calendar.  Click here for more information or to register: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/

As always, you as board members will have the final say on ABI policies for 2020.  Final action will occur at the September meeting of the board.  

Annual Leadership Iowa University Program August 4-8

Some years ago, the ABI Foundation created the Leadership Iowa University program.  The program, open to all Iowa College students (community college and four-year colleges alike), provides leadership and career development training and other opportunities to students in a week-long course.  The 2019 program will be held August 4-8 in Des Moines.  Go here for more information: https://www.iowaabi.org/leadership-iowa-university/about/.  

2019 ABI Executive Open August 26

ABI’s annual Executive Open is one of the association’s most popular events.  The 2019 Open will be held Monday, August 26 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines.  Because spots fill so quickly, you may wish to register now.  If so, go here: http://www.cvent.com/events/abi-executive-open-2018/event-summary-5649dbb1599a4a19b881d3714e7303ca.aspx.  See you in West Des Moines in August! 

Bywater Men to Conquer Philmont

The famous Philmont Scout Ranch (https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/), one of the Boy Scouts of America’s most popular High Base Camps, will be the home for ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and his son, Adam Bywater, age 14, starting later this week.  David and Adam leave Iowa by train Thursday for Philmont. 

David reports that he and Adam will hike 71 miles over 11 days.  Camping along the way, they will hike elevations from 6,500 to 11,500 feet and see the back country of New Mexico.  Various skill building and leadership development activities are also a part of the trip.  They will have to carry everything with them… so packing just the right stuff is a priority.  For example, sadly, there is no room for a razor in the backpack. 

Best wishes to David and Adam for a great trip and we look forward to hearing all about it upon their return! 

David Hanawalt Obtains MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School

Former ABI Chair Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly) and his wife, Barbara Hanawalt, were in Chicago this past weekend.  Mark and Barb were celebrating son David Hanawalt’s graduate degree received from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston.  Congratulations to David… and to his parents! 

Sovey Downing Featured in Quad Cities Magazine

Former ABI Board Member Mara Sovey Downing (Deere &Company, Moline) is featured in the latest edition of Quad-City Times Insight magazine.  In the article, Mara discusses Deere’s corporate strategy around philanthropy, stewardship, and social initiatives.  It’s a great feature and if you would like to read it, please reply to this message and I’ll get it to you at once.  In the meantime, congratulations to Mara and to Deere for the great coverage – and for the company’s leadership on these issues.