ABI Launches Web Site Initiatives

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) recently launched its new web site with the help of Global Reach. ABI is an association of Iowa businesses that work together to promote commerce in Iowa.

The new web site, iowaabi.org, was created around ABI’s mission to encourage the collaboration of Iowa businesses in order to foster a competitive business environment. With over 1,300 business members that employ over 300,000 Iowans, ABI represents a diverse group, which includes manufacturers, processors, retailers, insurance companies, financial institutions, publishers and printers, transportation services and the professions. Large or small, urban or rural, each member business adds its own particular resources and expertise to the growing strength of the Iowa business community.

By joining together in a single organization, ABI allows its members to have a united voice around pro-business issues. ABI’s legacy includes aiding in such legislative victories as Right to Work, Employer Directed Medical Care for Workers Comp Injuries and a recent insurance bill that once again allows associations to pool their members’ healthcare in order to drive down costs.

ABI uses Global Reach’s SiteViz content management application to manage all of the content on their web site. SiteViz makes it possible for ABI to literally change all of the content on their web site without any prior knowledge of web programming.

“ABI wanted a web site that would provide an abundance of valuable information to their members yet would be very easy to manage and keep up to date,” said Dale Bentlage, vice president for business development of Global Reach. “With SiteViz, it’s easy for them to update content on their web site, and they can have multiple people from their office updating content in different areas of the web site at the same time.

“This is the first step in some new web initiatives that we’re working on, which will provider greater value to our members and will directly contribute to creating a positive business climate for Iowa,” commented Leisa Fox, vice president of membership for ABI. “We’ve got some exciting projects in the planning stages that will be really fantastic when they are completed.

The web site has many new features including a blogs component so that the association can have a real-time dialogue with their members about issues that are important to them. It also comes equipped with a member’s only section. Through the members only section each member can manage his own profile.

“The web is really important to us in implementing the mission of our organization,” said Mike Ralston, president of ABI. “We want to allow our members to have access to valuable information 24/7.

“We’re excited to have worked with ABI on the project,” said Iacovos Zachariades, president and CEO of Global Reach. “ABI has a rich history of making a difference in Iowa and we wanted to create a web site that would continue to define them as a leader for the coming decade.

About Global Reach: Global Reach was founded in 1995 and provides a variety of services, which include web application development, website and graphic designing, web consulting, search engine optimization and marketing. They also develop customized solutions and provide pre-packaged web site solutions. With over 500 clients, the firm works across a broad range of industries that include government, education, professional services, real estate, healthcare, associations, manufacturing, financial services and insurance. Global Reach, headquartered in Ames, has two Iowa offices in Ames and Des Moines, and two international offices in Cyprus and South Korea. For more information, please visit www.globalreach.com.

About ABI: ABI is an organization of Iowa businesses working together to promote Iowa commerce. ABI’s philosophy is that there is strength in numbers, and by having more Iowa businesses they can play an even more active role in shaping Iowa’s future. ABI currently has over 1,300 business members employing over 300,000 people across the state. ABI has several programs that contribute to promoting commerce and leadership in Iowa, including the ABI Foundation (www.iowaabifoundation.org), Leadership Iowa (www.leadershipiowa.com) and Business Horizons (www.businesshorizonsiowa.org).