ABI Taking Care of Business Conference Coming in June - Monday Memo 2/8/21

February 8, 2021

ABI to Release Taking Care of Business Conference Media In Soon; Conference Registration Live on the 25th

A team of ABI leaders and staff members have made multiple visits to Coralville/Iowa City over the past several months.  Led by ABI Chair Steven Bradford (HNI Corporation, Muscatine), the team has participated in meetings and tours related to the annual Taking Care of Business Conference.  The Conference Committee will meet by Zoom tomorrow, as planning continues for the 2021 Taking Care of Business Conference to be held in Coralville/Iowa City June 8-10.  

Preparations for the conference now begin in even greater earnest.  A major development is the release of media information coming in a matter of weeks.  And, watch for registration to be live on February 25th.  At that time, register and, if you haven’t already done so, please make your lodging reservations, and there are plenty of lodging options related to the conference.  Go here for more information: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/annual-conference/.  

March Events Under Review

You will recall that the 2021 version of ABI's Business Day on the Hill was originally scheduled for Thursday, March 11.  Due to restrictions in place related to the COVID-19 pandemic, that event was cancelled. 

Following that decision and in consideration of the postponed ABI Legislative Reception originally scheduled for January 13, consideration was given to holding the reception in March.  Ultimately, that likely does not work, either.  Instead, consideration is being given to some other special events.  Watch for more news later this week. 

ABI Board Will Meet in March; Executive Committee Wednesday

The next ABI Board of Directors meeting will meet in March and as outlined above, final details are still pending.  In the meantime, the association’s Executive Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting by Zoom this Wednesday.  

Childcare Coalition, YPIowa Board to Hold Meetings Thursday

ABI has long been a leader in issues related to the development of affordable, quality childcare in Iowa.  In many ways, the issue is a key workforce issue and the good news is that a lot is happening regarding childcare. 

ABI is pleased to participate in the Iowa Business Childcare Coalition, an organization leading the way on childcare issues.  The organization will meet virtually this coming Thursday.  Several ABI members are represented on the coalition board, including ABI Board Member Mindi VandenBosch (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain. 

Also meeting Thursday is the board of directors of Young Professionals of Iowa.  YPIowa is our state’s leading organization for young professionals.  Administrative services are provided to YPIowa by the ABI Foundation. 

Legislative Update Friday

Every two weeks throughout the legislative session, ABI lobbyists host a Zoom update 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 update will be held this Friday, February 12th, at 8:00 a.m. and you and your employees are encouraged to participate.  The members-only update is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register by clicking on this link: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/224-legislative-update-members-only/.  

ABI Environmental Seminar February 23

With the change in administrations in The White House, changes are coming regarding federal regulations.  Some receiving the most scrutiny are related to environmental policy and regulatory matters. 

Get up to speed with proposed changes and get information about potential additional changes at an ABI webinar to be held February 23rd.  Find more information and register for this one-hour presentation here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrdeyvqjsjHdcSRizMAtgWlhScRrekqSAA.  

Biennial ABI Workers' Compensation Seminar March 23

The biennial ABI Workers' Compensation Seminar will be held virtually on March 23.  The program will include the latest information about legal issues related to workers' comp, legislative changes, and the latest information about best practices being utilized by other companies.  Click here for more information or to register: https://web.cvent.com/event/fbd6343f-557a-44bb-b8fb-69aa6e12246e/summary.  We look forward to seeing you on the seminar on March 23. 

Advisory Council Meeting Next Week

Members of the ABI Advisory Council provide leadership in many ways.  Certainly their financial support for 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.  Please join me in thanking the members of the council.  They are ACS, Anthologic, BCC Advisers, BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC Insurance, Focus OneSource, Fredrikson & Byron, HDH Advisors, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Principal Midwest Business Center, The Iowa Clinic, and Wells Fargo

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, which was created two years ago, 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.  

Agri Provides Major Leadership Support for Fairfield Childcare Center

ABI members are important to their communities.  And their communities are important to them.  ABI members and their employees are the ones that support local causes, serve on the school board, teach Sunday School, and do a hundred other things that make Iowa communities better. 

ABI member companies also lead the way on important community projects and the latest example of that can be found in Fairfield.  ABI member Agri-Industrial Plastics Company has pledged $100,000 to the Jefferson County Kids’ new childcare center capital campaign.  Read more about this incredible gift here:  https://growfairfield.com/business-and-industry/agri-industrial-plastics-company-pledges-100k-to-child-care-center/?fbclid=IwAR0uMIR4BdgWGm_jyeELug8dcwcPzG4RIMm4382nV_aNy4YZ6ZyVwsC5VAc.  In the meantime, congratulations to everyone in the community and at the company, including Agri founder and former ABI Board Member Dick Smith (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) and Agri president and former ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton ((Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield)!