BIPAC Provides Platform Analysis - Monday Memo 10/19/20

October 19, 2020

ABI Partner BIPAC Provides Platform Comparison

ABI’s national partner BIPAC provides ABI and its members with many resources for election education and get out the vote efforts. This year, BIPAC conducted an independent analysis of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) Platforms' policy recommendations as they relate to free market principles, the business community, and job creation. This resource is provided to assist anyone who may have questions or interest in understanding the economic policies put forth in the RNC and DNC platforms. The analyses have been reviewed and approved by legal counsel. If you would like to see the analyses, please contact Nicole Crain at ncrain@iowaabi.org.  

ABI Environment Committee Meets Tomorrow

Association members from inside and outside Iowa participate in the work of the ABI Environment Committee.  The committee will hold its next meeting tomorrow, on October 20.  Featured in the program are Ed Tormey and other officials from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  The latest information about DNR regulatory practices will be a focus.  Learn more and register at https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/213-abi-environment-committee-update-with-dnr/.  

ABI Begins Webinar Series Next Week

Members have asked for it and ABI is delivering it: more quality programming.  ABI will kick-off a six-part webinar series next week, on October 29.  Between then and early December, ABI will present a series of programs on a variety of business-related topics. 

The first webinar focuses on e-commerce and association member Michael Bird (Spindustry, Clive), a digital and e-commerce expert, will be the keynoter.  Go here for more information: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/215-webinar-series-get-your-e-commerce-product-data-right-selling-online-supporting-your-dealer-partners/.  Check the ABI Events page for more info. 

Listen to the Weekly Iowa Business Report Radio Program Broadcast

The Iowa Business Report radio program is broadcast weekly on stations all over Iowa.  The program is the result of a great a partnership between well-known Iowa broadcaster Jeff Stein and ABI.  A highlight of this week’s show is a terrific interview with ABI Board Member Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa).  Jack shares the story of his business and the growth the company has experienced (among other interesting topics).  A great feature with U.S. Senator Charles Grassley and another with a leadership expert are other highlights. 

If you missed the latest episode, you can click here to listen for yourself: http://iowabusinessreport.buzzsprout.com/.  Links can also be found on the ABI website at https://www.iowaabi.org/news/iowa-business-report/.  

Conference Workshop Proposals Sought

Preparations are well underway for the 2021 Taking Care of Business Conference.  A fabulous program, exciting new venues, and terrific speakers will make the conference one of the very best ever.  Mark your calendars now and join us in June in Iowa City/Coralville. 

Related to the annual conference, ABI uses a sophisticated and competitive process to determine the content of breakout sessions that will be a part of the conference.  If you or your company are interested in being featured at the conference, please click on this link for information about submitting a proposal: https://www.dmacc.edu/dbr/Pages/workshop.aspx.  

Three and a Half Weeks Until November ABI Board Meeting

The November meeting of the ABI Board of Directors will be an important one.  On the agenda will be the usual operations and finance reports, a public policy update, and receipt of the annual audit, among other business.  

ABI Chair Steven Bradford (HNI Corporation, Muscatine) and board members will meet by Zoom at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12.  Many of you have already registered for this free meeting of the board, but if not, please reply to this memorandum and I’ll make sure you are registered.  You will receive your board packet by email in two weeks.  In the meantime, thank you in advance for participating in this final board meeting of 2020. 

Register Now for 2021 ABI Legislative Reception

It is not too early to register for the 2021 edition of the ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, our organization’s second biggest annual event.  You can do so here: https://web.cvent.com/event/8db337e1-f39c-4e1f-8a9c-e88059b6b945/summary?rp=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000.  The 2021 Legislative Reception will again be held at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention center in downtown Des Moines.  

ABI and the facility management team are taking all possible steps related to health and safety for the event.  Stay tuned for more information, but for now, please make plans to attend. 

NAM Reports Positive Manufacturing Data

In last week’s edition of the National Association of ManufacturersMonday Economic Report, data related to manufacturing across the country was decidedly positive.  Increased hiring, reduced debt, and increased exports are providing optimism.  Reply to this memo if you wish to see the report. 

Rob Feeney Elected IGIA Chairman

ABI Board Member Rob Feeney (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) was recently elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association.  IGIA is a good ABI member and a terrific organization.  IGIA has members all across the state, including grocery stores, their suppliers, and vendors.  It is one of the few Iowa associations older than ABI, having been founded 4 years before us in 1899. 

Three times a year, IGIA publishes the Iowa Grocer magazine.  The latest edition carries a fabulous feature about Rob, his family, and about the iconic Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company.  You can read it for yourself here: http://www.iowagrocers.com/publications.cfm.  Click on the “Standing Strong” edition in the upper right.  In the meantime, congratulations to Rob, his wife, Jessica Tyler Feeney, and their family! 

Mindi Vanden Bosch Tapped to Lead Vermeer Forage Solutions

ABI Board Member Mindi Vanden Bosch (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) has been named Managing Director of Forage Solutions for Vermeer.  Mindi will lead the product development, commercialization and customer support of the company’s comprehensive lineup of innovative hay tools and feeding solutions.  Congratulations to Mindi on this move, which means she will be leading a very significant part of the company’s business.  Read more about this news here: https://www.vermeer.com/na/news/third-generation-vermeer-family-member-to-lead-com.  

Haskens Celebrate

Former ABI Chair Sarah McDonald Hasken and current ABI Board Member Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa) are great people and great ABI leaders.  It is a pleasure for ABI to join others in saluting Sarah and Jack on the anniversary of their wedding; Happy Anniversary, Jack and Sarah! 

Rich Phelan Steps in to Lead Clinton Chamber

Longtime ABI Board Member Rich Phelan (LyondellBasell, Clinton) is one of his community’s most respected business leaders.  In addition to the work he still does for the giant chemical company for which he worked for so many ears, Rich also is on the team at NelsonCorp Wealth Management, another great ABI member.  And he continues his volunteer leadership with a multitude of Clinton area organizations.  For example, Rich is a longtime board member and former Chairman of both the Clinton Regional Development Corporation and the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce (two more ABI members). 

Now, Rich has assumed the title of Interim President & CEO of the Clinton Chamber.  As the Chamber searched for a new staff leader and as the community examines various ways to align the work of the chamber, the group turned to someone the members knew would provide excellent leadership… and that is Rich for sure.  Congratulations, Rich, and best wishes on this latest post! 

Vollstedts Celebrate Wedding

ABI Executive Administrative Michelle Vollstedt and her husband, Dan, celebrated the marriage of their eldest son the weekend before last.  Nolan Vollstedt and Michaella Reece were married in a beautiful ceremony in rural Adel.  Nolan’s brother, Jace, was his best man and his sister, Taylor, caught the bouquet, so everyone had a big role in the wedding.  That includes the ring bearer, Nolan and Michaella’s dog, Tracer.  Nolan will soon return to his position at ABI member company Emerson Fisher in Marshalltown.  Best wishes to the happy couple and to the entire Vollstedt Family!