ABI Taking Care of Business Conference ONE WEEK AWAY - Monday Memo 6/6/16
June 6, 2016
It’s Almost Here; 113th Annual ABI Convention NEXT WEEK
The 113th Annual ABI Convention, the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference, kicks-off a week from tomorrow, starting with terrific programming right out of the gate that morning and afternoon. The Sioux City Convention Center will be the main site next Tuesday. The fabulous Hard Rock Casino Hotel is the setting for the Gala Opening Reception, which will be held Tuesday evening. The Reception, a fun, high energy extravaganza, will be something amazing and you do not want to miss it. Following great annual meetings in recent years, the 2016 conference is building on that success.
As with every ABI convention, there are many program highlights from which to choose. However, it is clear that the sessions featuring Emerson executive Katherine Button-Bell and internationally-known speakers Dick Vitale, Steve Rizzo, and Johnny Earle will draw fantastic crowds. Always the source of the very best business networking in Iowa, come to the conference and choose your own highlight from the great series of events, speakers, and venues that await you.
If you haven’t registered, that is not a problem. Go now to www.iowaabi.org and click on the conference icon at the top of the page. Or simply reply to this message and I'll make sure you are registered right away. On behalf of ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown) and our other officers, we look forward to seeing you next week in Sioux City!
ABI Regional Policy Tour Concludes Tomorrow in Council Bluffs
The annual ABI public policy tour around Iowa concludes tomorrow with a stop in Council Bluffs. Click here to register for the meeting: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/.
As with the other stops on the public policy tour, the agenda includes a review of the 2016 session of the Iowa General Assembly, upcoming elections, and your thoughts about ABI's priorities for 2017. The participation of so many members across Iowa is what makes the meetings so successful. On behalf of ABI's public policy staff, I hope to see you tomorrow.
Wes Ehrecke Named Leadership for Iowa Award Winner
Many of you know Wes Ehrecke (Iowa Gaming Association, West Des Moines). Wes is the President and CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association. Both he and the association are strong members/supporters of ABI.
It is a pleasure to announce that Wes has been named the winner of the 2016 ABI Foundation Leadership for Iowa Award. This prestigious award is presented periodically to some deserving Iowan that has made our state better. Wes is a great Iowan and a worthy winner of the award, which will be presented to him during the Leadership Iowa Graduation ceremony on Wednesday of the annual conference. Congratulations, Wes!
ABI Members Contributing to IIPAC to be Recognized at Conference; Be Included
One annual goal of the ABI Board of Directors is for all members to contribute to the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee. That goal has not yet been achieved. All members (former Chairs, board members, general membership, and staff) that have contributed at least $100 to IIPAC during 2015 will have their name on a special banner.
So far, several members of the board have not yet contributed. DON'T LET YOURSELF BE ONE OF THEM. I know many of you will contribute before the end of the year, so please do so now so that you may be recognized.
Go to https://www.iowaabi.org/public-policy/iipac/ for more information and to read a letter from IIPAC Chair (and former ABI Chair) Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee). Thank you for your support for IIPAC, which is an important part of ABI's policy work.
Lieutenant Governor Reynolds Will Join ABI at Conference Next Thursday
It is a longstanding tradition for Iowa's Governor and/or Lieutenant Governor to join ABI members for the annual conference. I am pleased to let you know that tradition will continue this year, when Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds addresses ABI members at lunch Thursday.
The Lieutenant Governor has been a strong supporter of ABI's public policy initiatives. ABI is grateful for that support and for always being accessible to our members. We are excited to welcome her to the conference and we look forward to her comments next Wednesday.
ABI Board to meet; Watch for Final Pre-Convention Board eMail Message Later This Week
The ABI Board of Directors will review the proposed FY16 ABI budget, receive the usual reports, and act on any outstanding business at a meeting next week immediately prior to the start of the annual conference. The board will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, at the Sioux City Convention Center.
The proposed budget, the 2016 ABI Nominating Committee report, and other timely information for the board will be sent to you in an email message later this week. These final materials will keep you fully informed as you get ready for the annual conference. The association enters the 2016 convention in great shape and it will be exciting to see all of you next week.
Foundation Update: LI Graduation Next Week; BH Next Month
The ABI Foundation continues a busy program year. Members of the ABI Foundation’s 2015-2016 Leadership Iowa Class will conclude a very successful year (and gradate) in a ceremony that will be a part of a special event at next week's conference. Class members have traveled all across Iowa and been in all corners of the state as they grew together and discussed issues facing us all. We wish them the best as they go back to their jobs and help build their companies, communities, and our state.
Plans are also being finalized for the annual Business Horizons experience. BH 2016 will be held on the campus of Central College in Pella July 17-21. This exciting program continues to help Iowa high school students understand that a successful future is theirs for the making. Go to the BH website at http://www.businesshorizonsiowa.org/ and learn more about this exciting program. Registrations are still being taken, please nominate your BH students now.
ABI's Elevate Program Featured in I-AM Video
ABI Chair Paul Gregorie (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown) and ABI member/partner community college President Rob Denson (DMACC, Ankeny) are just two of the ABI people featured in a new video related to the I-AM Grant. You will recall that the great was a major factor in creating the strong partnership between Iowa's community colleges and ABI's Elevate Advanced Manufacturing Initiative.
Watch the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7osfp9i5em9cvb6/16-CORP_OVERVIEW_Episode.mp4?dl=0. In the meantime, Elevate will be the focus of a meeting taking place next week in advance of the annual conference. Thank you for your continued support of this important association initiative.
Another Good NAM Report Available
Last week's Monday Economic Report from the National Association of Manufacturers was more good reading. The reports makes note of several challenges facing the economy at present. if you wish to read the report, please reply to this message and I will get it to you at once.