Register Now for Business Day on the Hill - Monday Memo 2/9/15

2015 Iowa Business Day on the Hill March 10

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 couch to the Capitol to meet with and hear from key state officials, legislative leaders, and their legislators.  The event has grown bigger and better each year and this year's event will be conducted in partnership with the Iowa Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business. 

ABI Day on the Hill 2015 is being held Tuesday, March 10.  The program begins with registration that morning at the Iowa Historical Building at the foot of 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.  Register now for this event by clicking on http://www.cvent.com/events/iowa-business-day-on-the-hill-2015/event-summary-e83e059e934d4d97a084cb18252ae941.aspx.

By the way, March 10 is also the day of the March meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.  Thank you in advance for your participation in these important meetings.

LeanWise and MarketWise Events Tomorrow, Wednesday

As you know, one of ABI's newest programs is the MarketWise and LeanWise series.  Each of these series of events provides a forum for like-minded business people to come together to gain valuable information about LEAN processes or marketing concepts.  The networking and best-practice sharing that occurs has been rated highly by ABI members.

A LeanWise session will be held in SE Iowa on tomorrow, followed by a MarketWise session in NW Iowa on Wednesday.  Go to the ABI Events Page for more information or to register:http://www.iowaabi.org/en/events_calendar/. 

Legislative Update Teleconference on the 20th

Periodically throughout the legislative session, ABI lobbyists Vice President Government Relations Nicole Crain, Policy and Political Affairs Counsel Rachel Geilenfeld, and Policy and Regulatory Affairs Coordinator Zach Dalluge Director host a teleconference 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 next call will be held Friday, February 20 at 9:00 a.m. and you and your employees are encouraged to participate.  The call is free as a part of your ABI membership, but please register at http://www.cvent.com/events/2015-abi-legislative-update-teleconference/event-summary-d4c0dd549dd94ea28d23f6354948d131.aspx.

Take Leadership Book Survey Now

ABI board members tend to be voracious readers.  Various books about business and leadership are frequently cited by members as must-reads.

ABI Communications Coordinator Emily Schettler has created a survey about the best of those types of books and is interested in your feedback.  Please take a minute now and go to

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eail19rmi5rdh4qz/start to complete the survey.

The survey is likely to lead to an article in an upcoming edition of Business Record Iowa.  By the way, look for the February edition of the publication to arrive on your desk later this week.

Cedar Valley Alliance, Quad Cities Chamber Events This Week

Tomorrow evening in Des Moines, the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is hosting its annual legislative reception at the Hotel Savery.  Congratulations in advance to Alliance President and CEO (and ABI Board Member)Steve Dust (Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, Waterloo) and Alliance members for another great event.

The following evening, ABI member Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual legislative event at HOQ.  The restaurant is just across the street from the ABI office.  Congratulations to the QC Chamber also.

ABI Board to Meet March 10; Executive Committee Meets Wednesday

Register now for the next meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.  Chair Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly) and members of the board will next meet on March 10th.  That day will see a full day of ABI meetings and events, as the annual ABI Day on the Hill program and other events will also take place then. 

Register now at http://www.cvent.com/events/march-abi-board-meeting/event-summary-40d5afd114c44e779d90471cdf8c31cc.aspx.  In the meantime, the ABI Executive Committee will hold its regular February teleconference Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

New Link for Volunteer Program Survey

In last week's Monday Memo, I shared information about a survey developed by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.   The ICVS is conducting a survey of employers and has asked that ABI members participate.

The link I included last week didn't work.  I hope you will complete the survey and if you do, this link should get you there: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EmployerVolunteer.   Thank you in advance for your participation.

NAM Report Highlights Growth in Economy

Last week's edition of the National Association of Manufacturers' Monday Economic Report was especially good reading.  The lead story highlighted growth in the U.S. economy... and then explained why the picture is actually even better than it looks. 

The report provides consistently sound and useful data.  Reply to this memo and I will forward the report so that you can read it for yourself.

United Equipment Accessories Focus of Courier Profile

ABI members know that association Chair Mark Hanawalt (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly) leads a great company filled with terrific employees.  It was fun to read about UEA in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier last week. 

You can read the story yourself here: http://wcfcourier.com/business/progress2015/waverly-s-uea-has-local-roots-worldwide-reach/article_f3ffbaff-804e-5025-a96c-fc939ad1f1c8.html .  Congratulations to Mark and everyone at UEA on the great coverage!

Alan Mores Elected Ito Lead INA Services Company

Longtime ABI member Harlan Newspapers is one of Iowa's oldest businesses.  The company's co-publisher is ABI Board Member Alan Mores (Harlan Newspapers, Harlan)  and in addition to being an ABI leader, Alan (and his brother Steve) have also long been active in various industry organizations.

At the Iowa Newspaper Association Annual Convention held last week in Des Moines, Alan was elected president of the board of directors of the INA Services Company.  The company is a for-profit subsidiary of the INA; its business is complex and successful.  Alan is a former president of the INA board and is an Iowa Master Publisher-Editor.  Congratulations, Alan!

Steve Brody Assumes New Role

ABI Board Member Steve Brody (Du Pont Pioneer, Johnston) has assumed a new role with the company.  Steve is now Global Director - Business and Biotech Affairs.  Congratulations, Steve!

Strategic America Celebrates Growth

Strategic America is another great ABI member company.  Started in Waterloo decades ago, the company moved to central Iowa many years ago and it continues to grow.  The company now employs roughly a hundred people and serves global clients from its West Des Moines base.  Congratulations to SA President and COO (and former ABI Board Member) John Schreurs (Strategic America, West Des Moines) and everyone at SA!

Hillphoenix to Host Governor and Lieutenant Governor Wednesday

Longtime ABI member Hillphoenix Specialty Products will host Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds at its Centerville plant on Wednesday.  Congratulations to everyone at the plant, including Iowa General Manager (and ABI Board member and Manufacturing Council Chair) Nate Weaton (Hillphoenix, Keosauqua)!

Jan Meek Checks In

Most of you recall longtime association staff member Jan Meek.  Jan was a solid, talented member of the ABI (and IMA before it) staff for decades, retiring a few years ago. 

Last Thursday, as she does periodically, Jan checked in.  She and her husband, Bob Meek, had just returned from a family trip and are doing well.  Jan stays on top of association happenings and it is always good to hear from her.