The Voice of Iowa Business

January 4, 2018

Legislative News

Legislative Update Calls are Back with the 2018 Legislative Session

As a member of ABI, you get valuable year-round access to inside political information from our public policy team. During the legislative session, take advantage of monthly Friday update calls to get the latest information on issues that matter to your business. The first call is Friday, January 19. Go to the events calendar to sign up for this session's calls.

Last Chance to Register for Next Week's ABI Events

The Legislative Briefing and Reception will take place on Wednesday, January 10 at the Iowa Taproom in Des Moines. Please be sure to register online by Monday. On Thursday, January 11, ABI members will hear from EPA Region VII Administrator Jim Gulliford at an Environment Committee meeting. You don't have to be a committee member to attend the meeting, but you do have to be an ABI member. RSVP to Michelle Vollstedt by Tuesday, January 9.

Candidates Set for January 16th Special Election in House District 6 Race

Republican and Democrats have selected their respective candidates for a special election on Tuesday, January 16 for House District 6. Republicans selected Jacob Bossman of Sioux City, who is a longtime staffer for Senator Chuck Grassley. Democrats chose Rita DeJong of Sioux City, who is a former principal and teacher. Gov. Reynolds called the election due to former State Rep. Jim Carlin being elected to fill the vacant State Senate seat in Senate District 3. Republicans currently maintain a 58-41 majority in the Iowa House. This will be the first election since the voter identification law passed last year. If you are in House District 6, make sure to bring a form of identification to the polls with you. Learn more about the special election.

Policy Team Ready to Go

As we head into the new legislative session, ABI's public policy team of Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain, Director Public Policy Jessica Hyland and Coordinator Public Policy Brad Hartkopf wants to say thank you for all your engagement last session. We hope to have another successful session, and we look forward to working with you to advance a pro-business agenda at the Iowa Capitol again this session.

Federal Spotlight: Congress Returns from Recess with Much on Its Plate

Congress is beginning to return from recess. The Senate began its 2018 session on Wednesday, and the House goes into session next Monday. Several critical items will have to be tackled in the New Year, which could prove more difficult to complete because it's an election year. Keep reading to see the top items Congress must address within the next few months.

From the Desk of...

Transformation Creates Opportunities for Growth

Michelle DeClerck, CMP

Conference Event Management

michelle@mycem.com

Goldman Sachs selected Conference Event Management as the only company in Iowa to participate in its elite 10,000 Small Businesses growth program this past spring. The program is designed to help people at small, thriving businesses who make a difference in their communities master skills in marketing, negotiation, employee management and business growth to take their business to the next level.

Following that experience, I led my team through a company-wide transformation process. The goals of Conference Event Management's transformation were to provide greater value to clients in all service areas, while driving the company towards growth and enhanced opportunity. The intense transformation process involved numerous discussions on topics of culture, leadership, dedication, delegation, process mapping, profit centers, personal and financial accountability, work styles and diversity, celebrations and gratitude, new hires, and revamping service areas. Based on the discussions, I created an eight-step process for growth and expansion, which can be applied to any business. Keep reading.