New Header
In This Issue Button
 
May 5, 2016 
 
Left Column:
ABI Mission Statement

Right Column:
Step It Up Iowa
Top Sponsors
ABI News




New Calendar

Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference

Overland Park, KS

May 11-13, 2016


Regional Public Policy Meeting: Waterloo
Tech Works | Waterloo

Regional Public Policy Meeting: Des Moines
ABI Office | Des Moines

Regional Public Policy Meeting: Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance |Cedar Rapids

2016 Taking Care of Business Conference 
Sioux City
 
AdvisoryCouncil
AC Button
MissionMission Button
 
To foster a favorable business, economic, governmental and social climate within the State of Iowa so that our citizens have the opportunity to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
LegNews

 

Legislative News
Political season well underway
To date, the focus of the upcoming election has been almost exclusively on the presidential campaign, but it's important to remember that Iowa's primary is only one month away, on Tuesday, June 7. Iowa voters will go to the polls to select their choice for several national and state candidates. Early voting for the primary is already underway. Find your candidates and register to vote at on ABI's  IAVotes website. Keep reading...

Join the ABI policy team in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids
ABI staff will  host a regional meeting and public policy update in Waterloo on May 17. Thank you to ABI board member Steve Dust of Greater Cedar Valley Alliance for hosting ABI at the TechWorks facility. ABI members and their guests will have an opportunity to tour the facility after the meeting.
 
ABI will host additional regional meetings on May 19 at the ABI office in Des Moines and on May 23 in Cedar Rapids at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. All of these meetings are free to members and breakfast or lunch is included.  Click here to register.

Environmental policy update
ABI has been working on two water issues with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. One issue involves an unfavorable court ruling that puts the State's current antidegradation policy and process into question. ABI along with the Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities has submitted to the DNR a petition for rulemaking to clarify the rule. Keep reading...

Conference recognition deadline for IIPAC is June 1
Investors in ABI's political action committee, IIPAC will receive recognition at the ABI Annual Conference in Sioux City June 14-16. If you would like to be recognized but have not yet contributed to IIPAC, please do so by June 1.  Click here  to contribute online today. If you would prefer not to be recognized, please contact Michelle Vollstedt.

Federal Spotlight: Iowa's competitive primary races
Iowa has several candidates vying to represent their party in the General Election on Nov. 8. The following districts have competitive primaries:

U.S. Senate: The Republican nominee is six-term incumbent Sen. Charles Grassley. Democrat candidates include former legislator, state agriculture secretary and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge of Albia, current state Sen. Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids, former state Senator and U.S. Senate primary candidate Tom Fiegen of Clarence, and former state Rep. Bob Krause of Fairfield. Although national Democrat organizations are aligning with Judge, Hogg is receiving local support from elected officials, labor organizations and environmental groups. Keep reading...
ABI seeks summer intern
ABI currently is seeking a summer intern to work from approximately mid-May to mid-August. This person will play an integral role within a professional association team providing support in public relations, communications, marketing, volunteer/member development and program coordination within all areas of the organization. Click here to view the full job description.
ABI partners with Healthiest State Initiative on Step It Up Iowa
On behalf of ABI's member companies, ABI has assisted with the Step It Up Iowa Conference - an effort of the Healthiest State Initiative. Step It Up Iowa will take place May 19th in Ames. Companies interested in strengthening their tools on walkability, health and wellness should register here.

From the Desk of...Mike Ralston, President, Iowa Association of Business and Industry

No kidding, the 2016 conference will be among the best yet!

Several times during the past year, I joined ABI leaders and staff members for meetings in Sioux City. The meetings were important as we finalize plans for the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference, ABI's 113th annual convention.

Ladies and gentlemen, you do not want to miss this event!
You all know that I can be given to hyperbole at times, but I assure you that is not the case when I say this conference will be spectacular. The entire Siouxland region is buzzing about the conference and the excitement building there is nothing short of amazing.

You already know that not one, not two, but four acclaimed keynote speakers will address the conference.  Several truly unique interactive educational escapes (not the usual breakout sessions) will be a part of the event. Keep reading...

Interested in submitting your own From the Desk of column? Contact Emily Schettler at [email protected].
Did you miss the Monday Memo from ABI President Mike Ralston? For the most recent memo click  here.


New Footer Image