It's Time for the Annual Conference - Monday Memo 6/8/15
June 8, 2015
It's Here; 112th Annual ABI Convention Starts Wednesday!
The 112th Annual ABI Convention, also known as the 2015 Taking Care of Business Conference, kicks-off Wednesday. The first session begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. The annual Gala Welcome Reception will be held that evening at the fabulous historic Hotel Blackhawk in downtown Davenport.
As I type this, over 500 people are set for the conference; but if you haven’t registered, it's not a problem. Email me now or just show up and we’ll take care of you. On behalf of ABI Chair Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly), I look forward to seeing you in the Quad Cities!
Association Headquarters Closing for the Week Tomorrow
Due to the annual conference, the ABI headquarters in Des Moines will be closed most of this week (tomorrow afternoon through Friday). Please don’t hesitate to contact staff members by cell phone or leave messages on voicemail (which will be checked often). Please never hesitate to contact me on my cell phone at the number above if you need assistance of any kind. We look forward to being back in the office – and celebrating the completion of a great convention – bright and early a week from today.
Board to Elect Officers for FY16
Last week, all board members and former board chairs should have received from me an email message that included several documents. That message also highlighted the fact that the ABI Board of Directors will hold its final meeting of the association’s 2014-2015 fiscal year during the annual business meeting at the conference on Wednesday. The board will hold the traditional (but very brief) meeting to elect officers.
The previously-mentioned message shared the FY16 budget, the Nominating Committee report, and the FY16 board meeting schedule. The budget projects another year in the black and continues a string of years ending with budget surpluses. I take very seriously your charge to me related to strong financial performance and I am very proud of ABI’s record of recent years in that regard. Thank you for your leadership, which is responsible for that success..
Leadership Iowa to Celebrate; Current Class Will Graduate
The ABI Foundation's Leadership Iowa program marks another successful year with activities coinciding with the annual conference. Go now to www.leadershipiowa.org for more information.
Also happening Thursday is the graduation of the current LI class. I know you join me in congratulating all class members, which includes ABI Vice President Government Relations Nicole Crain.
Tom Mcmahon Honored with Leadership for Iowa Award
The ABI Foundation's highest honor is the Leadership for Iowa Award. The award is presented periodically to an alumnus of the Leadership Iowa program who is a leader among leaders and who has demonstrated a commitment to serve Iowa.
The award will be presented to longtime Iowa business leader and ABI and ABI Foundation leader Tom Mcmahon. Tom and his wife, Clarisa McMahon, are well-known for their philanthropy and service. Tom is well-deserving of the award and I know all ABI members salute him. Congratulations, Tom!
Lieutenant Governor Reynolds to Address ABI Conference-Goers Wednesday
Remember that Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will address ABI members at the annual conference. She will speak at the luncheon at the convention center on Wednesday.
Access Website to See Terrific Foundation Auction Items
Each year, the ABI Foundation holds an auction in conjunction with the Taking Care of Business Conference. There are always many terrific items available and as I have noted the post couple of weeks, this year is no exception.
Click on this link to see the items and to place bids http://www.32auctions.com/abiauction2015. All the proceeds from the auction go to benefit the programs of the ABI Foundation and Iowans who participate in them. Thank you in advance for your support.
DOD Seeks Your Participation in Bosslift Events
Many of you are familiar with the U.S. Armed Services' Bosslift program, in which civilians are given the opportunity to experience life and events on a military base. It certainly provides a deep insight into what the woman and men who serve our country are dealing with in their military careers.
The Department of Defense, though Iowa's office for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (something ABI has long supported) has announced a Bosslift event for Iowans to be held in Fort Polk (Louisiana) in late July. DOD official specifically reached out to ABI related to this announcement.
Other events are forthcoming in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. If you are interested in participating in any of these events or simply want more information, reply to this message and I will get it to you at once.
Governor, Lieutenant Governor Celebrate Latest Accumold Expansion
ABI member Accumold is a global leader in the design, development, and production of micro-engineered parts for various high-tech industries. It seems like only a few years that the company broke ground on a 40,000 square foot expansion. It WAS only a few years ago. Well, the company broke ground Friday on ANOTHER 40,000 square foot expansion.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, and many others were on hand to mark the latest expansion. Congratulations again to everyone at Accumold, including company president and ABI Executive Committee Member Roger Hargens (Accumold, Ankeny)!
Murdock to Chair UIU Board
Upper Iowa University is a great ABI member and partner. It is our state's only NCAA Division II institution and it is one of the fastest-growing colleges in the nation.
Beginning July 1, the UIU Board of Trustees will be chaired by longtime Trustee and former ABI Chair Dennis Murdock (CIPCO, Des Moines). This is terrific news for UIU and for Dennis and a great honor for Dennis to lead his alma mater. Congratulations, Dennis Murdock!
Shirley Hadenfeldt Hospitalized
Shirley Hadenfeldt, wife of long time ABI Board Member Jerry Hadenfeldt (Meredith Corporation, Des Moines), has again been hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Shirley has battled pneumonia previously and we wish her all the very best. ABI sends thoughts and prayers to Shirley and Jerry.
Governor to Tour Ritchie Industries
You know that Governor Terry Branstad is a strong supporter of ABI in general and ABI manufacturers in particular. He'll prove that once more Thursday when he again tours longtime ABI member Ritchie Industries in Conrad. Congratulations to the Ritchie Team, including company President and former ABI Board Member Leon Yantis (Ritchie industries, Conrad)!
The Business of ABI: Financial Performance
As you know, I periodically and briefly review various association business/operational issues in these memos. Last week, ABI Bookkeeper Chrissy Blake and I reviewed historical data and compared ABI's financial condition now to that of nine years ago. Chrissy had not yet joined us then and was interested to hear about the dire situation facing ABI at the time. I can tell you, as I shared with her, I think it about all the time! The difference between then and now is startling... and gratifying.
Thanks to terrific leadership by the Board of Directors and association members, ABI revenue is approaching three times that of June 2006. Of course, expenses are also increased, but instead of running a deficit, ABI now generates funding in excess of expenses. Program delivery is of course greatly expanded as well. Cash on hand, members, staff, events, etc. are all increased.
Providing value to members is what ABI is all about. Thanks to YOU, we have the resources to get that done. I promise you we never take your investment for granted and your support is always, always appreciated. THANK YOU.