Immigration Event Thursday - Monday Memo 9/5/17

September 5, 2017

High-Value Immigration Seminar Thursday; Register Now

At ABI, we are always listening to you. Our goal is to provide you with the services you want and need. 

One topic you share with us from time to time is the challenge it is to manage immigration issues. In response to your comments, ABI is hosting an immigration seminar at the ABI office in Des Moines this Thursday (September 7).  It is not too late to register and you can do that now by clicking here: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/72-immigration-law-hot-topics-for-employers/.  

This high-value, 90-minute program will cover the most important immigration takeaways for employers. The program will provide practical insights and pointers to help navigate hiring decisions and avoid common pitfalls.  A question and answer session will also be a part of the session.  As I have noted in the past couple of memos, your HR staff will not want to miss this event.  Register NOW at the link above. 

First ABI Board Meeting of 2017-2018 Fiscal Year One Week from Tomorrow

The ABI Board of Directors, chaired by David Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner), will hold its first meeting of the new fiscal year on Wednesday, September 13.  The board will meet at ABI in Des Moines.The meeting will be preceded by the monthly meeting of the ABI Executive Committee that morning.  You will soon receive the usual meeting packet with a map, an agenda, detailed reports, and other items to help you prepare for the meeting.  

A number of important issues will be reviewed and acted upon at the meeting.  One highlight, led by ABI Vice Chair David Bywater (Economy Advertising Company, Iowa City), will be consideration of recommendations related to the association's 2018 policy positions.    

Another highlight will be an address by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate. Secretary Pate will share information about his work to make his office more responsive to business. 

If you haven’t already done so, please register now by replying to this memo. All board members and Past Chairs are encouraged to join ABI for the board meeting.  Lunch will also be served.  On behalf of Dave and our other officers, I look forward to seeing you on September 13. 

Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference September 19; Legends Dinner Previous Evening

Last week, I mentioned that ABI and the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State and Des Moines Area Community College are the lead sponsors for the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference 2017.  The conference will be held in Altoona on September 20.  Register now for this important conference at http://www.cvent.com/events/legends-in-manufacturing-awards-dinner-and-or-advanced-manufacturing-conference/event-summary-8c33168550c3461288085578e50761e4.aspx.    Great speakers and a high value program are on tap at the conference.  

By the way, remember that the third annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner (hosted by ABI's Elevate Advanced Manufacturing program) will be held the preceding night, also at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.  Don't miss this event.  

To register or to find more information about this event, please click on the same link listed above.  Many participants will attend both the dinner and the conference the next day.  If you wish to make a hotel reservation, so that you can attend both events conveniently, go to: http://www.prairiemeadows.com/.  

Biennial ABI DC Fly-In a Month Away

Every two years, the ABI Public Policy staff, led by Senior Vice President Nicole Crain, puts together a fabulous slate of meetings in Washington DC. This year is no different. 

There will be meetings with every single member of the Iowa Congressional delegation in their offices. Not with staff, with the senators and congressmen themselves.  There will be briefings at the White House, at the National Association of Manufacturers, and with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  And there will be other highlights. 

The 2017 Fly-In will take place October 2-4 and based on early feedback, it looks to be the best ever. Please contact me with questions.  

ABI Operational Excellence Roundtable Meets Tomorrow

Again in response to your comments, ABI recently created the Operational Excellence Roundtable. The first session was held in July at Kreg Tool Company in Huxley.  The panel is open to operations and manufacturing personnel of any ABI member company and it has received rave reviews by participants.  Just like the ABI CFO Roundtable, high-value programs are a hallmark of the new group. 

The panel will hold its next meeting tomorrow, on Wednesday the 6th, at longtime ABI member company CI3 in Des Moines.  If you have questions or desire more information, please reply to this memo, or contact ABI Vice President Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson, who leads ABI's work related to the roundtable. 

Conference Committee Meeting Wednesday

You have heard us say that the 2018 ABI Conference is shaping up to be the best ever. We say that every year… but every year it is true.  The committee planning the conference will hold its first official meeting tomorrow in Des Moines.  I say “official,” because various members of the committee have been working for months now. 

The committee is chaired by Donna Popp-Bruesewitz (Stellar Industries, Garner) and it is working with some fabulous venues and speakers related to the conference.  Stay tuned for much more exciting news in the months and weeks ahead. 

Legislative Committee Meets

The ABI Legislative Committee, chaired by ABI Vice Chair David Bywater (Economy Advertising Company, Iowa City), met last Thursday in Des Moines.  Following on the many meetings held in Des Moines and around Iowa before it, the meeting last week resulted in a final set of polices being developed for action by you and your fellow board members later this month.  Look for the final policy draft in your September board packet. 

YPIowa Conference in Two Weeks

Young Professionals of Iowa (our state's leading organization for young professionals) will hold its annual conference this month.  The 2017 Iowa conference will be held on September 22 in Ankeny.  

The conference is a great way to get your company's YPs engaged and energized.  Find more information at http://ypiowa.com/events/yp-iowa-conference/.   

CIPCO Announces Leadership Change

As you have read in previous editions of this memo, former ABI Chair Dennis Murdock (CIPCO, Des Moines) is celebrating nearly 50 years of service to CIPCO.  He has served as that company’s CEO for almost 30 years. 

Dennis will retire as of September 30. The CIPCO Board of Directors has announced that Bill Cherrier, who is currently the chief planning and finance officer at Colorado Springs Utilities, will become CIPCO’s new CEO.  Congratulations again and thank you to Dennis Murdock for all his leadership and service!  Welcome to Bill Cherrier! 

Rockwell Collins – United Technologies Deal Announced Last Night

Yesterday, United Technologies Corp. announced it will acquire longtime ABI member Rockwell Collins in a deal valued at $30 billion.  Upon completion of the transaction, Rockwell Collins and a UTC subsidiary, UTC Aerospace Systems, will be integrated to create a new business unit named Collins Aerospace Systems. Kelly Ortberg (Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids), the current Rockwell Collins CEO, will become CEO of the new entity. 

This transaction creates a premier aerospace system supplier, with the combined business extremely well-positioned to meet global customer demands. Congratulations to all involved, including Mr. Ortberg and ABI Board Member Cindy Dietz (Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids)!