Annual Legislative Briefing January 11 - Monday Memo 11/14/16

November 14, 2016

ABI Legislative Briefing, Reception January 11

Mark your calendars now for one of ABI’s most popular, and most important, events of the year.  The annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Embassy Suites on the River in downtown Des Moines.  Over 500 members and legislators attend this event each year.  

Because of your participation, this event draws more Iowa legislators (of both parties) than any similar event hosted by other organizations.  Your local legislators enjoy this event and appreciate the opportunity to visit with you and your fellow Iowa business leaders in a relaxed and informal setting.  As always, all 150 legislators and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds have been invited to join you at the reception.  

Immediately prior to the event, the annual legislative briefing will be held.  This event will provide you with the very latest in legislative news and information about ABI issues.  You can find more information and register NOW by going to http://www.cvent.com/events/2017-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-b39dec26c4164c4fa717b6dd6ed9b475.aspx. By the way, as always, this event is being held the same day as the January meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.  On behalf of ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield), I look forward to seeing you in Des Moines on January 11. 

Executive Committee Meets, Will Hold December Teleconference

Members of the ABI Executive Committee met prior to last week’s board meeting.  The committee will convene again for the final teleconference of the year at 9:30 a.m. on December 7.  The December meeting is typically one of the association’s briefest.  As always, look for a full report on all issues at the next meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. 

Van Gundy Elected to ABI Board

Principal has been well-represented on the ABI Board of Directors for many years by Merle Pederson (Principal, Des Moines).  Merle recently resigned his board seat and last week, the ABI Board of Directors elected a new board member. 

Georgia Van Gundy (Principal, Des Moines) is the new director who is filling the seat vacated by Merle. Georgia is well-known, is a terrific business leader, and she makes a strong addition to the ABI Board.  Congratulations, Georgia and thank you, Merle! 

ABI CFO Roundtable Wednesday

Central Iowa Power Cooperative Vice President and CFO Andrew St. John (CIPCO, Des Moines) will be the host for the next meeting of the ABI CFO Roundtable sponsored by Principal.  The Roundtable meets Wednesday at CIPCO. 

If your CFO isn't a part of this panel, they should be. ABI has received high marks for the strong programs that are a part of the Roundtable.  Reply to this message for more information. 

Advisory Council to Meet Thursday

The ABI Advisory Council will meet Thursday in Des Moines.  This will mark the panel's final business meeting of 2016. 

Thank you to ABI Advisory Council members 21st Century Rehab, ATW Training Solutions, BCC Advisers, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Focus OneSource, Global Reach, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Manpower, Measured Intentions, Principal Financial Group, Spindustry Digital, Transition Point Business Advisors, and Wellmark for your leadership and support! 

Not Too Soon to Make 2017 Annual Conference Lodging Reservations

During a report at last week's ABI Board meeting, it was noted that it is not too early to make your lodging reservation for the 2017 Taking Care of Business Conference, ABI's 114th annual convention.  That event will be held June 6-8 of next year in Dubuque. 

The main conference hotel is the beautiful Hotel Julien.  The co-main hotel is another beautiful facility, the Grand Harbor Resort, which is connected to the convention center by skywalk.   Both facilities, and other terrific nearby hotels, provide great lodging. Find links to the main conference hotels here: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/annual-conference/

Remember, this conference will involve exciting, brand new venues, terrific speakers, and sessions unlike any seen before.  You will be able to register for the conference on the ABI website soon.  In the meantime, use the link above to make your lodging reservation now. 

ABI Co-Sponsors Rural Iowa Summit

At ABI, we take seriously the charge to represent all ABI members, regardless of geography. We don't just focus on Iowa's urban centers; we know that ensuring rural Iowa can attract and retain workers is also vital.  

Co-sponsoring the Rural Iowa Summit is a part of that work. The Summit will be held this Friday (November 18) at the Wild Rose Casino and Conference Center in Jefferson.  A great lineup of speakers has been developed to help you and your fellow  leaders learn ways to build your community.  If you or someone on your team is interested in attending, please reply to this message and I'll make sure you get more information. 

December 8 is Date of Next Connecting Statewide Leaders Event

As you have been reading in previous editions of this memorandum, the first 2016-2017 Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held December 8 in Pella.  This forum is the next opportunity to participate in the popular series of events ABI has hosted around Iowa over the course of the past few years. 

A luncheon follows the meeting and you will have a great opportunity to visit with fellow ABI members, meet the new Leadership Iowa class, and develop new customers.  Please mark your calendar now.  Also, please register now using this link: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-7817a4487a5644d1880274b2a27d280f.aspx

ABI Holds Last Board Meeting of Calendar Year

Last week in Des Moines, members of the ABI Board of Directors met for the final board meeting of 2016.  Terrific attendance and great discussion marked the day.  Thank you to board members and former board chairs for your participation in a great meeting. On behalf of ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield), thank you for helping the final 2016 board meeting go so well. 

Business Record Iowa in Your Mailbox

You should have received in the mail the latest edition of ABI's Business Record Iowa, published in conjunction with member Business Publications CorporationBR Iowa is found inside the November 10 edition of BPC's Des Moines Business Record.  Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham is on the cover this month. 

NAM Economic Report Cites Election, Some Signs of Positive Activity

As do many of you, I look forward to receiving the Global Manufacturing Economic Update from the National Association of Manufacturers.  This publication, like all of those produced by the NAM, is a terrific source of data and information. 

Last Thursday's report was especially interesting, as it shared news of some positive data points related to manufacturing.  It also reviewed the impact of last week's election and possible actions to be taken by the new Administration. If you wish to see the report, simply reply to this memo and I will get it to you at once. 

Alcoa Now Arconic

Alcoa was a great ABI member. I say was, because the company (in Iowa) is now called Arconic.  The name change follows the company splitting itself in to two parts on November 1.  What hasn't changed is the terrific leadership provided by the company's ABI Board Member, John Riches (Arconic, Davenport).  Thank you and congratulations on the change, John! 

Jason Gross, Mary Andringa, Tom McMahon Celebrate

ABI Board Member Jason Gross (Nationwide Insurance, Des Moines) recently celebrated his birthday. Other ABI leaders are also celebrating birthdays this month.  ABI Past Chair Mary Andringa (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and former ABI Board Member and  ABI Foundation Chair Tom McMahon (Barker Company, Keosauqua) share birthdays.  ABI sends best birthday wishes to Mary, Tom, and Jason! 

Jim Tyler Featured in Lightening Strikes! Magazine

Former ABI Chair Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) is well-known as a decorated WWII fighter pilot.  Jim and his squadron flew many combat missions and saw heavy action in Europe during the war.  Seventy years after last sitting in the cockpit of a P-38 combat fighter, Jim was in one again and there is photographic evidence to prove it. 

Jim is prominently featured in this month's edition of Lightening Strikes!, the official magazine of the P-38 National Association.  In an article (accompanied by a great photograph), Jim describes flying his P-38.  If you wish to read the article for yourself, simply reply to this memorandum and I will get you a copy at once.  It is a fun read and congratulation on the great coverage, Jim! 

David Nicholl Hospitalized

Newly-elected ABI Board member David Nicholl (Grip-Tite Manufacturing Company, Winterset) was hospitalized recently with complications from should surgery.  We are all thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery, David!