Register Now for ABI Legislatvie Reception - Monday Memo 12-14-15

Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Officials, Legislators Want to See You at 2016 ABI Legislative Event; Register Now to Take Advantage of Early Registration Discount

ABI knows that Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, other state officials, and legislators of both parties attend the ABI Legislative Reception so they can see YOU.  As you know, this event is one of the most popular events ABI hosts all year long.  Also as you know, it is likely that over 500 people will attend the event, including more legislators of both parties than at any other similar event.  I pointed out last week that the attendance of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, coupled with that of so many legislators and other state officials, is one more confirmation of your importance to Iowa policy makers.  They attend because YOU attend.

The ABI staff is busy finalizing details related to the annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, which will be held Wednesday, January 13 at the Embassy Suites on the River in Downtown Des Moines.  The briefing is your opportunity to hear the latest about legislative news and about ABI's agenda.  You can then head right into the reception and share comments with your local legislators.  Your participation and interaction with legislators is what makes this event a must for Iowa policy-makers. 

Go to the ABI website at www.iowaabi.org and click on the event icon.  You’ll find all the information you need and can follow the easy instructions to register now. 

Thank you in advance for participating in this very important event.  On behalf of ABI officers, I look forward to seeing all of you in Des Moines on January 13.

ABI Board of Directors to Meet in Four Weeks (January 13)

With the meeting of the ABI Executive Committee held last week, leadership meetings at the association are completed for the calendar year.  In a little over four weeks, however, it will be time to begin the meetings for the new year.

The first meeting of the Executive Committee and ABI Board of Directors for 2016 will be held January 13.  This is the same date as the 2016 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception (see item above).  You should receive the usual packet of meeting materials in about three weeks.  Please contact me with any questions or comments and please make plans now to attend.

ABI Building to Temporarily Become Des Moines City Hall

We learned last week that while Des Moines City Hall is being renovated, city staff and functions will move to Capitol Center III - the building in which ABI offices are also located.  This will occur sometime in the first half of 2016 and we do not know any further details.

The City Hall renovation project is slated to take three years to complete.  I am wary of what this will mean for parking, among other things.  When further information is received, we'll get it to you at once.

Monthly Meeting of Advisory Council This Week

Members of the ABI Advisory Council do much to advance the work of the association.  Their leadership and support is never taken for granted.  They have played a very large part in the increase in quality and quantity of ABI programs across Iowa.

The members of the council will hold their monthly meeting Thursday in West Des Moines.  Thank you to ATW Training Solutions, BCC Advisers, BerganKDV, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen,EMC, Focus OneSource, Global Reach, Manpower, Measured Intentions, LMC, Principal Financial Group, QPS Employment Group, Spindustry, Transition Point Business Advisors, and Wellmark.

ABI Honored by BIPAC

ABI Communications Coordinator Emily Schettler returned last Wednesday from Gulf Shores, Alabama and the annual meeting of BIPAC (Business and Industry Political Action Committee).  BIPAC is a key partner for ABI and a leading player in the work behind the IAVOTES.COM website, ABI's nonpartisan advocacy resource.

Emily returned with another award for ABI 's political work.  ABI was recognized by BIPAC for our work to promote employee engagement in the Iowa caucuses with the Iowa Caucus Toolkit.  This BIPAC Star Award now rests proudly in the ABI office with the other awards received by ABI's public policy team over the years.

Business Record Iowa in Your Mailbox; ABI Leaders on the Cover

You should have received in the mail the latest edition of ABI's Business Record Iowa, published in conjunction with member Business Publications Corporation.  BR Iowa is found inside the December 11 edition of BPC's Des Moines Business Record.

Four great ABI leaders are the cover models for BR Iowa this month.  ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson/Fisher, Marshalltown), ABI Vice Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield), former ABI Chair Bill Brown (BrownWinick, Des Moines), and ABI Board Member Mike Espeset (Story Construction, Ames) are featured.  Thank you to these leaders for their help with this month's edition and congratulations on the great coverage!

Busy Time for ABI Foundation Programs; Ames LI Session, Other Events Successful

As it is most years, this time is a busy one for the ABI Foundation.  The Young professionals of Iowa Board of Directors and meetings of various Foundation committees will be held this week.  All of this activity will be part of a complete report on Foundation programs that will be shared when the ABI Board of Directors meets in January. 

In other Foundation-related news, the 2015-2016 Leadership Iowa Class held its third session last week in Waverly.  The class heard from an incredible array of terrific speakers.  You'll have an opportunity to meet the class at next month's ABI legislative reception.

As a part of the Waverly session, ABI and the ABI Foundation produced another in the Connecting Statewide Leaders events series.  It was a great success.  Special thanks to association leaders who joined us in Waverly last week:Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly), Steve Dust (Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, Waterloo), and ABI Advisory Council Member/Elevate leader Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Urbandale).

NAM Global Manufacturing Economic Update Graphically Illustrates Decline in Sales, Exports

As you know from my frequent mention of them, I pay close attention to the publications of the National Association of Manufacturers. NAM publications are first-rate, and the Global Manufacturing Economy Update is no exception. 

Last week's Update led with a chart related to the decline in manufacturers' international sales or exports.  The article goes on to explain that decline and provides other high-value information

Reply to this message if you wish to read the report for yourself and I will get it to you at once.

Eugene Sukup to Receive Honorary Doctorate

Eugene Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) is a well-know Iowa business leader, inventor, and philanthropist.   Gene founded his company over 50 years ago and it is now the largest family-owned grain bin/dryer company in the world.  The company is a model of innovation, with over 80 patents held by Sukup employees (including Gene). 

It is always great to see good things happen for good people like Gene and his wife, Mary Sukup.  Gene and Mary are true partners in business and in life.

This coming Saturday, Gene will be honored with the honorary degree of Doctor of Science at the commencement ceremony at Iowa State University in Ames.  ABI salutes and congratulates Gene Sukup!

Steve Dust Celebrates

When ABI Board Member Steve Dust (Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, Waterloo), joined us in a leadership role at last week's ABI Connecting Statewide Leaders event in Waverly, we learned that last Thursday, December 10, was Steve's birthday.  So, belated best birthday wishes to Steve!

Ali Krogman Checks in From Iowa City

ABI and the ABI Foundation were pleased this past year to have Alison Krogman join us as our summer intern.  You met Ali at last June's annual Taking Care of Business Conference, among other places.

Ali was a terrific addition to the ABI team and in fact, is also a member of the current Leadership Iowa University class.  Ali, the daughter of ABI Board Member John Krogman (Connect-A-Dock, Atlantic), is a student at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.  It was great to hear from Ali and we wish her all the best!

The Business of ABI: Reserves Untouched for Ninth Consecutive Year

Please allow me one operational note.  For the ninth consecutive year, ABI has not tapped our budgetary reserves.  As you know, that is a reversal of an untenable situation that saw the association tap reserves for several years in a row.  In fact, thanks to your leadership, ABI is growing.  Why is that important?  Because it allows the association to aggressively advance the agenda developed by the board and to serve members.  Thank you -- and thanks to every ABI member -- for making that the case.