Executive Committee to Meet Next Week - Monday 1/31/22

January 31, 2022

Executive Committee Meets Next Week; Board Meets March 8

The ABI Executive Committee will hold its regular February meeting by Zoom a week from Thursday (February 10) at 9:30 a.m.  To be convened by ABI Chair Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa), this event will mark the committee’s second meeting of 2022.  Look for a full report on any news from the meeting at the March board meeting. 

Speaking of the ABI Board of Directors, that meeting will be held at ABI on March 8.  That day will see a full day of ABI meetings and events, as the annual Day on the Hill program and other events will also take place then.  

2022 ABI Day on the Hill March 8

During the first quarter of the year, much of ABI's work focuses on public policy and the Iowa General Assembly.  A few years ago, following on the exploding success of the annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, ABI created the annual ABI Day on the Hill.  The event capitalizes on members’ wishes to get even more involved in ABI’s public policy work.  

This event gives ABI members an opportunity to get the very latest news from the Capitol in the heat of legislative activity.  Members are taken by private coach to the Capitol to meet with and hear from key state officials, legislative leaders, and their legislators.  

Day on the Hill 2022 is being held Tuesday, March 8.  The program begins with registration that morning at the ABI office near the State Capitol.  Following a report on legislative news and updates on related issues, and including other information, DOTH participants will head to the Capitol for meetings with legislators.  Watch for registration for the event to be available soon.  March 8 is also the day of the March meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.  Thanks in advance for your participation in these important meetings. 

Next 2022 ABI Legislative Update to be Held Friday, Will be Held Bi-Weekly Through the End of Session

Periodically throughout the legislative session, ABI lobbyists Vice President Public Policy JD Davis and Director Public Policy Brad Hartkopf host a virtual 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 second update of the session will be held this coming Friday (February 4).  Now through the end of the legislative session, updates will be held bi-weekly.  Thus, the next update will be February 18.  Watch for more information ahead.  The members-only update is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register at Legislative Update (Members Only) | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).  By the way, thank you to ABI Legislative and Communications Intern Steffi Lee, who is assisting JD and Brad at the Statehouse this semester.  Steffi is a student at Drake Law School. 

Join ABI in Council Bluffs on March 3 for Connecting Statewide Leaders

The next ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held March 3 in Council Bluffs.  A high-value panel and networking will all be a part of the program, which is focused on economic development in Iowa.  Click here for more information and to register: Summary - Connecting Statewide Leaders - Council Bluffs (cvent.com).  These programs are ways to gain information and connect with your fellow ABI members, Leadership Iowa Class members, local business leaders, and others.  

Biennial ABI Pre-Employment Testing Seminar March 30 in Des Moines

The association will host its biennial pre-employment testing seminar late in March.  This is the place to find the latest information about drug testing and other pre-employment testing programs and to learn the best practices utilized by other companies.  The seminar will be held at the ABI office on March 30 and registration information will be available soon.  We look forward to seeing your HR, risk management, and compliance teams at ABI on March 30th. 

Elevate Scholarships Available

You know how important ABI's Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative is to our state.  Manufacturing firms employ nearly 210,000 jobs to Iowans. These well-paying careers require education and training beyond high school, but many don’t require the often burdensome cost of a bachelor’s degree. Recent studies have shown that two-year degree holders, especially in high-demand manufacturing occupations, can earn salaries that surpass those of college graduates.

A career in manufacturing means getting to work sooner with less debt. 

Elevate Advanced Manufacturing promotes great careers in advanced manufacturing. In 2019, Elevate is offering (15) $500 scholarships to Iowa high school seniors interested in studying a manufacturing-related career at one of Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges – one award will be made per college region.  Interested candidates can apply by completing the application at www.elevateiowa.com

Winnebago Hosts Grassley, Weaton Capital Hosts Legislators

You have heard me say often that there is no better thing you can do than host policy makers in your plant or office.  Having these folks see first-hand what you do and hear from you and your employees how their actions impact your business is vital.  Two more ABI leaders did just that last week. 

Last Thursday, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley visited longtime ABI member Winnebago Industries in Forest City.  On Friday, Iowa State Senator Adrian Dickey and State Representative Joe Mitchell visited longtime ABI member Weaton Capital in Fairfield.  Thank you to these companies and to ABI leaders Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) and Nate Weaton (Weaton Capital, Fairfield) for hosting  these elected officials in their plants and for sharing information about important business issues! 

Last Day on the Job for Rand Fisher

25 years ago today, longtime ABI Board Member Rand Fisher joined the Iowa Area Development Group as its president.  Today is his last day on the job and tomorrow, Rand begins retirement.  I’ve noted this in a previous edition of the Monday Memo, so all I will say is thank you, Rand, and hearty congratulations.  ABI wishes you all the best! 

Emily Schettler Invites You to Harkin Center Retirement Security Event

Former ABI Communications Director Emily Schettler left ABI to join the Harkin Center at Drake University, where she is also pursuing a master’s degree.  We appreciate hearing form Emily now and then. 

Last week, Emily contacted me to invite ABI members to participate in a Harkin Center event focused on retirement security.  The event will be held virtually via Zoom on March 2nd.  You can find more information here: The State of U.S. Retirement Security: 2022 and Beyond Tickets, Wed, Mar 2, 2022 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite