The 2023 IAM Annual Meeting & Expo
THE POWER OF TRUST
By, Will Kohudic, Editor, Portal
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This year, IAM brought our Annual Meeting & Expo to Toronto, Ontario from October 9–12. We thank our sponsors, exhibitors, and our attendees for making the conference a great success and helping us set a 10-year record of 1,831 attendees.
The theme of our 61st Annual Meeting was The Power of Trust. Trust plays an integral role in every business relationship; it forges relationships and it’s what gives us confidence to move forward and meet our goals. Meeting one another face-to-face at industry events like this one is a great way to begin building trust. At this year’s Annual Meeting, we highlighted how IAM intends to cultivate trust within our network through the new IAMTrusted Moving Company designation.
The meeting was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, an expansive venue that provided plenty of natural light in the exhibit hall—always a welcome feature. Holding the Annual Meeting at a convention center, as we are aware, has some advantages and some disadvantages. One of the biggest downsides that members have noted in the past is that attendees are spread between multiple hotels with no centralized bar area where meetings can happen organically. We achieved success in this area by making an expansive bar and lounge area available within the exhibit hall—something we don’t have room to do in a typical big box hotel format—but there is still room for improvement and we have already begun discussions about how to enhance meeting spaces in future meetings.
The attendee registration process was highly automated, as in previous years, but we achieved a real increase in efficiency and speed at this event. Less than one hour after registration opened, the Hub was packed with members visiting exhibit booths and sitting down to their business meetings.
Most importantly, there were no more lines at the registration stations.
We kept our new tradition of calling the expo hall The Hub to emphasize its importance as the center point of the meeting. In addition to the exhibit booths, the Hub encompassed the “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere Bar,” several meeting points and lounges, and as much additional seating as the space allowed for business meetings and meals, with food and beverages available in the Hub throughout the day.
It's difficult to estimate just how many individual meetings occur during the Annual Meeting between potential clients and partners. What we observed this year, however, was that the lounges and seating areas in the Hub, seating areas in the convention center, and the hotel bars were full with these meetings on all four days of the event. This organic capability of networking face-to-face with many people in the same space is the real driver of the Annual Meeting for many of our members, and we were delighted to see so many hundreds of people taking full advantage of this unique opportunity.
OPENING DAY
Last year, the IAM Executive Committee directed the formation of a Volunteer Engagement Taskforce to strengthen IAM’s Governance by enhancing the satisfaction, efficiency, and effectiveness of its volunteer leaders. Chaired by Catherina Stier of Harsch, The Art of Moving Forward, the Taskforce recently completed its 15-month review and provided a detailed set of recommendations. These recommendations focus on how IAM can more effectively recruit, onboard, and recognize volunteers from membership as well as suggestions on how IAM can facilitate volunteers to make the most impact when they serve the Association. One immediate recommendation IAM put into action was the organization of a new Volunteer Leadership Breakfast.
On Day 1 in Toronto, IAM implemented that recommendation and hosted over 100 volunteer leaders at its first annual Volunteer Leadership Breakfast. During this event, volunteer leaders met other IAM volunteers including the Executive Committee and IAM Staff. Newly announced IAM President Brian Limperopulos shared how the work of each committee advances IAM’s mission. Each IAM volunteer group chairperson then presented one achievement from 2023 and a call to action. IAM is so appreciative of all its volunteer leaders and it would not be able to achieve its mission and strategic plan without its volunteers.
Our learning labs and speaker panels kicked off in the late morning of day one. Five learning labs and some specialty group meetings were held throughout the day, the first of which was the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) Stakeholder Perspectives at 11:00 am. Chuck White moderated a panel that included speakers from several DoD moving segments. They began by addressing concerns about the currently unknown start date of GHC shipments, which one representative referred to as a ‘moving target.’ The discussion touched on agents’ reluctance to sign up with HomeSafe Alliance as a moving services provider, a desire for more communications from HomeSafe Alliance and TRANSCOM, how international shipments will be handled, and more.
Panelists included Chuck Bailey, President, Cornerstone Moving & Storage; Megan Harless, Military Spouse PCS Reform Advocate; Chris Lantz, Sr Vice President of Operations, BMS Moving & Storage; Bill Lovejoy, President, Republic Moving & Storage; and Anthony Shipp, President & CEO, M.Dyer Global and President, Moving & Storage Association of Hawaii.
The Build Your Business by Diversifying into Office Moving session, presented by the U.S. Domestic Asset-Based (DAB) Mover Group, started at 1:00 pm. Moderated by new U.S. DAB Chair, Brittany Brooks, the panelists explored the opportunities and challenges involved in diversifying your moving business into the realm of office moving. They explained that while expanding your business into office moving can increase your revenue stream and employ workers year-round, it can only be done well with proper training at all levels. They discussed the many differences between commercial and residential moving, and emphasized the critical role of planning, with an emphasis on knowing the differences from residential goods moving, including pricing norms and using cube vs. pounds during the survey.
Panelists included Brittany Brooks, VP, Conser Group (Moderator); Steven Fisk, Slidell Moving and Fisk International; Ed Katz, International Office Moving Institute; and Caleb McCartney, GM, Cornerstone Moving and Storage.
The IAM Young Professional (IAM-YP) membership was well represented during the IAM 61st Annual Meeting, with over 50% of the YPs in attendance—a tradition that began at last year’s event. The YP events began with a membership meeting that included reports from each of the IAM-YP Management Board members. The Management Board shared highlights from 2023. Following the YP membership meeting, the group engaged in a Wild Goose Chase – Outback team building activity where YPs competed in teams to complete photo and video challenges in the city of Toronto. The event provided a great way for new YPs to connect with veterans and make business connections in a fun and relaxing environment. To read more about the YP experience at the Annual Meeting, see YP Chair Sheena Kiser’s column on page 56. Learn more about the IAM-YP Group and how to join here.
The next session, Building Customer Trust: Leveraging the IAM Trusted Moving Company Designation, began at 2:30. IAM strategic partner, Ray daSilva of Mobility Exchange LLC, explored the importance of customer trust in the moving industry and how the IAM Trusted Moving Company (ITMC) designation plays a vital role in building and maintaining that trust. The ITMC was introduced as a key initiative for our industry last year, to help companies collaborate smoothly where business relationships don’t pre-exist. He explained that ITMC is not a certification, but rather an assurance of professionalism. ITMC is built on top of IAMX Validation, which now boasts 1,588 validated members, and is designed to work hand-in-hand with the IAM Issue Resolution System and the Code of Ethics to encourage and support the foundational principles of trust in our industry. Learn more about the IAM Trusted Moving Company initiative here and how your company can set itself apart as a trusted operator in our business.
Speaker: Ray daSilva, IAM Mobility Exchange.
IAM’s U.S. Domestic Asset-Based Mover Group (The U.S. DAB), and their fellow DAB Allies held the DAB Mover Group Meeting at 4:00 pm to first hear from their current DAB Management Board Chair (Chris Lantz of Bekins Moving Solutions) and Vice Chair (Lakelan Fennell of Suddath) about the efforts of the group since the previous IAM Annual Meeting. After various activity updates and thanking the current DAB Management Board, they announced the newly elected Chair and Vice Chair of the DAB for the next two years. Brittany Brooks from Conser Group was announced as the new Chair, and Caleb McCartney of Cornerstone Moving & Storage is the new Vice Chair. Brittany and Caleb shared their vision of where they want to take the DAB over the next couple of years. They’ve already been active setting up the membership of the new DAB Management Board and scheduled their first board meeting. This group is off and running under Brittany and Caleb’s leadership, and they will no doubt bring energy to their new positions like the previous two DAB Management Board leadership teams.
Speakers included Chris Lantz, Sr Vice President of Operations, BMS Moving & Storage and Chair of the DAB Management Board; and Lakelan Fennell, Network Development Manager, Suddath Government Services and Vice Chair of the DAB Management Board.
The first day of IAM Learning Labs closed with the Mobility Sustainability Coalition Info and Q&A Session at 4:00. This panel, composed of leaders from IAM, FIDI, the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA), the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC), and EuRA, continued to build on the momentum that we set in motion at last year’s Annual Meeting. They noted that the pressure to get ahead of these issues is growing from clients, customers, and partners in the supply chain, including corporate customers of mobility services. The coalition is working to get ahead of legislative and regulatory requirements and create our own expectations, rather than wait for mandates from the top. Many of the associations are developing educational tools and collaborating to offer smaller and larger companies alike resources to prepare for upcoming requirements. Learn more and take action with the Coalition for Greener Mobility on its website.
Speakers included Chuck White, President, IAM (Moderator); Jesse van Sas, Secretary General, FIDI; Mary Ann Passi, CEO, Corporate Housing Providers Association; Stephen Cryne, President and CEO, Canadian Employee Relocation Council; and Tad Zurlinden, CEO, EuRA – European Relocation Association.
The New Members, First-time Attendees and Volunteers Reception began promptly at 6:00 pm at the Delta Marriott. New attendees were afforded the opportunity to meet and greet IAM staff, volunteer leaders and distinguished guests. Immediately afterward, the Opening Reception was held at the nearby Steam Whistle Brewing Company. Food stations featuring the cuisine of Canada and many global cultures were spaced around multiple bar areas, drinks flowed, and members were able to relax and socialize together in an informal atmosphere.
Following the Opening Reception, our second annual Official IAM Afterparty began at 9:00 pm and rocked until midnight. The Afterparty was hosted by the U.S. Domestic Asset-Based Movers (U.S. DAB) group and presented by Cornerstone Moving and Storage and BMS Moving & Storage. The proceeds benefitted IAM’s charity partner Move For Hunger in their mission to end hunger and food waste, along with Streetline Percussion of Macon, Georgia. The Afterparty was also the site of the second annual IAM Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) tournament. Congratulations to tournament champion Rene Belgar of Gradlyn, who won a free four-night hotel stay for the 2024 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, and bragging rights to the title of Best RPS Mover In the World. Our two raffle winners of the evening were Christiaan van der Ent of Van der Ent TopMovers, who won a $1,200 USD Travel Experience; and Mario Torres of Crown Relocations, who won a complimentary 2024 Annual Meeting Registration.
DAY 2
Day two of the Annual Meeting began at 8:30 am with a buffet breakfast and the IAM General Session and State of the IAM Address in the convention center. IAM Chair Mike Richardson (Senate Forwarding, Inc.), kicked off the session and gave special recognition to all of our valued sponsors and exhibitors.
Mike introduced incoming IAM President Brian Limperopulos, who spoke about Alan F. Wohlstetter and the scholarship fund established in his name. He recognized the AFWSF board of directors and talked about the fund’s new strategic plan and its top strategic priorities. He recognized the recipients of scholarships awarded this year: five $5,000 USD scholarships and 128 Industry Training Program (ITP) awards, and enumerated four ways to support the AFWSF – by donating, buying tickets to the YP Social Mixer at the Annual Meeting, taking the Edge Walk at Toronto’s CN Tower, and by partnering long-term with the fund to help deliver education and training tools.
Brian thanked our Gold, Silver, Bronze, and In-kind donors, as well as major donor companies who donated $5,000 USD or more:
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Cartwright International,
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Delight International,
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Deseret Forwarding International. Inc.,
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DeWitt Companies (in memory of Richard DeWitt),
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Island Movers
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National Van Lines
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True North Relocation (in memory of Jackie Agner),
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Ann Wohlstetter and Lee Tsangeos (in memory of Alan F. Wohlstetter), and
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Gridiron Forwarding Memorial Day Match in memory of Jay L. Goldberg (Hall of Honor 2009).
Chuck White took the stage next and began by acknowledging three groups of individuals who have made an impact on the association, starting with Adam Lowy, Founder and CEO of Move for Hunger, who talked about the previous night’s Opening Reception Afterparty.
Adam said he started Move for Hunger 14 years ago after watching people throw away food when relocating. Food waste and food shortages are two major problems worldwide; one third of the world’s food is wasted, and 28% of the world’s agricultural land is not used for producing food. The wasted food alone could feed two billion people each year. With 263 participating members, IAM members have provided over 7,000,000 pounds of food over the years. That’s 37 million meals, enough to feed 31 million people. In 2023, participating IAM members have helped to feed 204,510 people. The winner of this year’s Move for Hunger IAM Mover of the Year is Atlantic Relocation Systems, who joined in 2013 and has since delivered 174,476 meals total, with 58,726 this year alone.
Next, Chuck welcomed Sheena Kiser, Chair of the IAM-YP group from SEACORP, to the spotlight for a significant moment: the presentation of the Rising Star Award. This prestigious accolade is reserved for an exceptional Young Professional (YP) member who embodies the group’s mission and vision and has made a remarkable contribution to the YP community and the wider industry. The recipient’s achievements span mentorship, exemplary conduct, committee contributions, and engagement with IAM’s philanthropic efforts. The honor includes the privilege of complimentary IAM-YP membership for the following year.
This year's distinguished recipient, Lennert de Jong of the Gosselin Group, graciously accepted the award, dedicating it to those combating the challenges of impostor syndrome within their professional journeys. Lennert’s compelling acceptance speech served as a beacon of encouragement, stressing the value of stepping beyond comfort zones, welcoming vulnerability, and fostering profound connections amidst the challenges of a divided global landscape.
Chuck then introduced Georgia Angell, Chair of the IAM Leadership Alliance Program. She introduced the new Leadership Training Program on IAM Learning, then recognized the winner of this year’s Excellence in Leadership Award, Marcel Jörg of Gosselin Moving Group. Marcel accepted his award with these words:
“I ran my own company, Packimpex, for almost 20 years. When we decided in 2017 to integrate the moving division of Packimpex into the Gosselin Group, I saw this as an opportunity to test my leadership skills in a real job, where you can actually get fired if you screw up.
“It looks like things worked out pretty well and I am proud of how we developed Gosselin over the past years. This is the result of a team effort. Thank you to the Gosselin gang for the great support, energy, hard work and loyalty. Thank you to Marc Smet for giving us the space to try out things; for allowing us to fail fast and fix fast, which is the only way we can innovate.”
Chuck began his State of the IAM address with the announcement that he is retiring as president of IAM, the position where he has served since 2019. He talked about the difficult but rewarding transition of IAM into a leaner, more digital-oriented organization since the advent of COVID, and the implementation of a number of strategic priorities to focus the efforts and services of the association based on the needs of member companies as expressed in our series of member needs surveys.
He recognized individuals and companies who have taken the lead in participating in the IAMTrusted Moving Company program, and the commitment inherent in achieving these designations. He also talked about future plans for IAMTrusted. On a related note, IAM Learning continues to grow and bring new ideas and information to members, and he advised all members to take advantage of it.
Financially, he said, IAM is once again in a solid position after the lean years of the pandemic. He also noted that we have redesigned our membership categories to reflect greater inclusivity and ability of members to select on what level they want to engage with the association and the programs that we offer.
Chuck highlighted the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) transition to the Global Household Goods Contract, or GHC, as one of the biggest challenges facing many of our members. The GHC is potentially a $20 billion contract spread over about nine years. And since the U.S. DoD is the single largest mover of used household goods in the world, a contract this size, awarded to a single company, is something our members must pay attention to, even if they aren’t involved in the DoD moving market.
Another highly important topic facing our industry is sustainability. Government requirements concerning the environment have already been put in place in Europe. Similar regulations are coming elsewhere, and we as an industry need to get ahead of them, including reporting the carbon footprints of our own companies and those of our supply chain. The Coalition for Greener Mobility is a group of associations including IAM that is working toward the goal of finding solutions for all of our member companies on environmental sustainability.
Encouraging volunteerism and engagement with IAM is another major part of our strategic plan. With almost 2,200 member companies, the 11-member full-time staff cannot effectively serve the whole organization without the energy, efforts and innovations that our volunteer leaders bring to the association. Their efforts are a major contribution to the success of IAM.
Chuck concluded by recognizing the IAM staff, which remains small but has expanded to include members in Europe and South America, made possible by remote work. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve you for over 20 years, the past five as your president,” he said.
Lastly, Chuck introduced Brian as the new IAM president.
Brian said, “It is an amazing responsibility to lead this organization, all thanks to the investment that Chuck has made in me, and Terry Head before him. This transition from Terry Head to Chuck White to myself was all planned 10 years in advance.”
Brian announced the winner of the $250 (USD) raffle prize, Evelyn De Jaen of LACMA, and encouraged members to return for our 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 14–17 at the Cosmopolitan. Thank you to Evelyn for donating her prize back to the Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Fund.
The day’s first IAM Learning Lab, Federal Agency Household Goods Panel: Priorities, Trends and Future Focus of Federal Moving Programs, began at 11:00 am. This session focused on updates from the General Services Administration (GSA) Centralized Household Goods Traffic Management Program (CHAMP); GSA Audits; MARAD (the Maritime Administration); and Department of State’s ITGBL program. We heard that GSA has seen a small increase in overall HHG movements, but the average cost has gone up 20% since 2022. No future decline in moves is predicted, as too many government jobs need to be done in person. DOS, for example, reports a hiring spree underway which will increase moves into the Washington, DC area. MARAD requirements to ship on U.S.-flagged vessels from origin to destination were discussed, along with requirements for approval of determination of non-availability, or DNA, of U.S. Flag vessels amid extenuating circumstances. The inclusion of lithium batteries and electronic vehicles in shipments, fuel requirements, and many other topics were also explored.
Speakers included Morgana Somers, Director of Global Services, IAM (Moderator); Heather Dodd, Chief, Transportation Management and Claims Branch within the Transportation Management Division, U.S. Department of State; Lalit Raina, Supervisory Trade Specialist for Civilian Cargoes, Office of Cargo & Commercial Sealift, Maritime Administration U.S. DOT; Yvonne Robertson, Chief, Disputes Resolution Branch within Transportation Audits Division, GSA; and Terri Shaffer, Management and Program Analyst, GSA Employee Relocation Resource Center.
Another panel, Beyond the Badge: Benefits of IAM Membership, was held concurrently. Here, the IAM Membership team discussed the IAM Strategic Plan as the foundational component to serving our global membership. The team presented a comprehensive and captivating overview of the myriad benefits that IAM membership offers—benefits that extend well beyond the mere symbolism of a badge meaning the annual meeting.
The session highlighted the extensive training and resources available to IAM members, including the impressive milestone of 7,000 individuals who completed their IAM Learning Certificate of Course Completion. Additionally, the financial safeguards provided by the IAM Issue Resolution System (IIRS) were discussed, underscoring the organization’s commitment to resolving issues effectively and efficiently. An in-depth examination of how IAM utilizes member data to tailor services, the overarching benefits of IAM-YP membership for companies, and the organization’s dynamic presence across various news and social media platforms. The message was clear and compelling: IAM’s programs and services are meticulously crafted around member feedback and needs. The resounding call to action for all attendees was simple yet impactful: Get involved and leverage the full spectrum of opportunities that IAM membership presents.
Speakers included Julia O'Connor, Director of Membership; Nicola Collett, Data & Finance Manager; Verena Goetz, Member Services Coordinator; and Matthieu Odijk, Director of Sales.
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The next session began at 3:00 pm: Revolutionizing Data Sharing: Unlock Efficiency and Empower Stakeholders. It consisted of a series of round-table discussions led by members of the IAM Data Solutions Task Force, who designed this session. The Data Solutions Task Force has been formed by the IAM Technology and Communications Committee to tackle one of IAM’s strategic initiatives: Investing in efforts to facilitate the exchange and sharing of data for all industry stakeholders. Topics discussed included the pitfalls inherent in manual data entry and the difficulty of data transfer between partners who use different systems. There was also significant discussion on what the opportunities are if we can work together to reduce the friction inherent in sharing and exchanging data between partners. Last, data privacy and the unique opportunities for technology companies to establish themselves as leaders in the moving industry were also among the topics presented, and participants left the session with a sense of empowerment to help shape a more connected future. To be involved in this effort, register your interest by liking the IAM Data Solutions LinkedIn Page.
Moderator: Brian Limperopulos, Vice President, IAM.
The day’s final IAM Learning Lab was Cocktails and Conversations: An IAM Leadership Alliance Session for Small Group Discussions. It provided space for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about leadership in the global moving and mobility industry. Led by the IAM Leadership Alliance Council, four topics centered around the curriculum from the IAM Leadership Training program were discussed to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn collaboratively in a comfortable setting: The Art & Science of Communication, Becoming an Emotionally Intelligent Leader, Drawing the Line: Values & Ethics, and The Building Blocks of Building Trust.
Tahir Mansoor, who participated as a speaker in the Drawing the Line part of the conversation, wrote the following about this session:
“It was really an honor to be part of Cocktails & Conversations alongside Kay Kutt & Charles (Chuck) Bailey from our session, as well as Olivia Alarcon, Georgia Angell, Simon Hood, Macarena Scalia, Kim Drangstveit, and Karl Greaves.
“IAM's Leadership Alliance Program is not just another group of individuals, but a cadre of leaders in the industry. It offers a very robust learning program, which is available at IAM Learning. During different discussion sessions at the Annual Meeting, many leaders are concerned about the availability of skilled and literate human resources in the moving & relocation industry and this is just the right resource to train people for our industry’s future leadership.
“Being one of the few individuals to complete this course has changed my views of identifying the difference between a leader and manager. In our companies we have very good managers, but normally managers are there only to manage daily day to day staff. Leaders, however, are the ones who listen, understand and motivate people: one of the essentials required for company growth.
“Managers are doing a good job to maintain, but for growth you need leaders within your organization to motivate and to get out of the box ideas and creativity outside of our daily routine, which makes the resource different from others. I would encourage our industry people to enroll their current and future leadership to this course and if they need any of my assistance, feel free to contact any time.”
Discussion leaders included Georgia Angell, Principal, Trellis Vine Consulting, LLC. (Moderator); Olivia Alarcon, CEO, A1 Global Logistics Services Co.; Simon Hood, Executive Director, John Mason International Limited; Macarena Scalia, Move Coordinator-Relocation & Mobility, NEDRAC, Inc.; Chuck Bailey, Owner, Cornerstone Moving & Storage LLC; Kay Kutt, CEO, Silk Relo; Tahir Mansoor, Director, UTM Services; Kim Drangstveit, General Manager, Golden Services LLC; and Karl Greaves, Logistics Manager, Michael Greaves Associates (Barbados) Inc.
CORE MEMBER'S MEETING
Amid the vibrant sessions held during the Annual Meeting, the much-anticipated rejuvenation of IAM Core Members' Meeting unfolded with a discussion of the minds led by members of the Core Members’ Management Board (CMMB). The lead-up to the event convened with a singular mission: to design a session experience that provided interactive and thought-provoking discussion among attendees, aptly titled Unleash Industry Potential Through Shared Insights.
All of the groups provided a lively discourse on current industry topics—so much that it was only possible to capture a fraction of the discussion in these pages, which you can read here. The session hosts did a great job of leading the discussions and also authored their groups’ conclusions, below.
The Rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) like ChatGPT, by Ido Barner (AGS France), Matthieu Odijk (IAM), Shankar Ram Ganapathy (Delight International Movers)
It was found that newcomers to the topic had unknowingly been using AI already in their daily lives through SIRI, Alexa, and other common interfaces. This was an eye opener for many! Participants were asked for real life challenges that consume time and effort that AI could solve. Suggestions came quickly, like translations into native languages, using it to analyze large amounts of data and building presentations, and even solving writers’ block—everyone agreed that it’s easier to edit than to start from scratch. The conclusion was reached that adapting this kind of technology can improve staff efficiency and increase professionalism in communications. Although AI will not take over the jobs of our staff, those who learn to use AI to their advantage will benefit.
Embracing the Power of Gen Z: Unlocking Talent Retention Potential, by Maru Eugenia Mansur (Edelweiss Spedition SRL) and Terence Wee (Smart Relocators Pte. LTD), with Barbara Savelli (Gosselin, CMMB Europe Representative) contributing
Work-life balance and flexibility are key factors for Gen Z. They value the ability to work remotely and have flexible hours that allow them to pursue their passions, maintain a healthy lifestyle and spend quality time with friends and family. Organizations can focus on team dynamics and collaborations as winning factors in attracting and retaining Gen Z, instead of managing the details of locations, along with providing health and wellbeing resources.
Environmental consciousness and gender equality are core concerns for Gen Z—they need to see the company not merely saying these issues matter, but creating a truly inclusive environment. They also have little tolerance for obsolete technology and inefficient processes. Prioritize technology investments, because expecting your employees to do day-to-day tasks with dated tools and concepts will lead to frustration and disengagement.
Training and continuous improvement is essential; Gen Z wish to work independently with minimum supervision, which is good for the organization in the long run, but necessitates careful and intentional training at the entry stage. Gen Z is sometimes criticized for prioritizing personal life over work life, but this is actually something the rest of us can learn from them. They watch their predecessors focus heavily ion work while struggling to balance their personal lives, sometimes giving work life more time that is actually needed.
Building a Sustainable Future for the Moving Industry, by Catherina Stier (Harsch, The Art of Moving Forward) and Arthur Drewry (AMJ Campbell Florida, Inc.)
We are approaching a paradigm shift in the way we need to do business with the rise of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance—the “greenification” of the moving business). The rising importance of the ESG and a view of a more sustainable future is building pressure from companies to implement these measures to help attract and retain talent.
EcoVardis is one tool that helps the supply chain manage the risk and compliance for ESG by measuring, grading and identifying areas to improve on and help you manage your supply chain. Whatever tool we use, compliance will soon be a requirement if you want to do business.
Ernst & Young has reported that customers will pay 10-20% more for services from companies that focus on ESG, though the group did not reach a consensus. Things we can agree on include what measures we can and already undertake, including virtual surveys (save fuel), electronic paperwork, reusable packing materials, less plastics (or NO plastics), less business travel (video conferencing), consolidated shipment, electric vehicles, recycling, and installing solar panels.
In conclusion, ESG initiatives will promote financial survival—start by finding a measurable way to calculate the carbon footprint of your company and supply chain and act on your findings.
Safely Transporting Lithium and Lithium-Ion Batteries, by Allyson Nordstrom-Geraghty (Arpin International Group)
Many everyday household items contain lithium batteries (cell phones, kids’ toys, laptops, etc.), which are classified as Class 9 hazardous materials (hazmat). Shipping household goods with items packed with lithium batteries qualifies as hazmat, regardless of how small the item being shipped. The conversation focused on “excepted quantities” under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods, or IMDG, Special Provision (SP) 188 and PI 967 Section II of IATA/ICAO, which applies to lithium batteries “contained in” or “packed with” equipment (never standalone).
Keeping both wattage hours for lithium-ion batteries and metal content for lithium metal batteries under a certain limit falls within “excepted quantities”. Staying in the limits of “excepted quantities” allows the shipper to bypass the hazmat declaration. Ocean and air carriers, along with domestic trucking companies, are the ultimate decision makers – it’s each company’s right to refuse to accept lithium-ion/metal batteries in shipments (their say on acceptance or not supersedes the IMDG/IATA).
Every international mover and freight forwarder needs individuals on staff who have hazmat/dangerous goods training on this pervasive topic, which we see being very important for the foreseeable future.
Protecting Your Shipments: Mitigating and Handling Costly Claims, by Boris Populoh (Unirisc, Inc.)
This discussion centered around mitigating the physical damage and associated cost of claims through training and education on proper packing procedures and protocols. Also, setting appropriate customer expectations, along with collecting and providing clear documentation, allows both service providers and customers to fulfill their individual responsibilities during the relocation process. It also keeps each party in the custody chain responsible. The transition to digital inventories will further support that process.
Revolutionizing the Moving Industry: Digitalization, Cybersecurity, and Immersive Technologies, by Carlos Ferri (Shipeezi Pty Ltd.) and Christiaan Van der Ent (Van der Ent TopMovers)
Cybersecurity is a major responsibility in our industry—our clients and partners depend on us for it. Raising awareness of potential threads in your company is very important, and if there is no mandate from the top, the change will not come. A clear policy on how to deal with how we protect our data, on and offline, how we deal with employees who come and go, and whether we operate on a VPN network or not is extremely helpful. For instance, many consider the need for passwords and two-factor authentication as overkill, but shortcuts to security measures all involve risks.
Some companies are ahead of the game and have introduced Cyber Security training for their employees. Some have cyber security insurance, which can be helpful in case of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. It’s essential for every company to create awareness of data security at all levels down to the packers through continuing education and training; IAM can provide information on changes in technology and requirements, and prevent hacks that prey on the weakest link—the user.
Our job in revolutionising the industry involves bridging the gap between companies who can afford to be ‘very secure’ and the companies which are still using paper. Many retain the mentality that ‘my company has the best systems in the world’ but they forget that there is communication between their company and its agents, which leaves the door open to the other party’s ‘weakest link’, and so on down the chain of data custody.
Identifying and Preventing the Transport of Illegal Items in Household Goods Shipments, by Charnel Francis (Africa Mobility Services) and Ben Scheiner (Global Relocations Ltd.), with Barbara Savelli (Gosselin, CMMB Europe Representative) contributing
The inadvertent transportation of contraband can lead to severe consequences, including legal troubles, imprisonment, fines, and damage to one's reputation. Unintentional involvement in contraband can also result in collateral harm to others and financial stress due to legal expenses. Contraband can encompass a range of prohibited items, such as animal trophies, stolen fine art, stolen precious objects, and items that are not permitted for import into a country.
To prevent this, companies involved in the moving industry can take various measures including offering education and training, establishing clear guidelines and reporting procedures, partnering with authorities, adopting technology solutions such as advanced screening, and implementing reward systems to motivate employees to proactively identify and report suspicious items.
Training our own workers is not sufficient, either; considering we may have to outsource or subcontract services in peak season, it is essential to have a full control of the supply chain and ensure our standards and training are also available for external personnel, and that a clear selection process is in place for the operation department to strictly control the full job execution process.
Industry organizations like IAM can play a significant role in developing relevant training, establishing a knowledge base of best practices, and facilitating collaboration throughout the industry. By implementing these measures, companies and industry organizations can contribute to a safer and more secure moving industry while minimizing the risks associated with contraband transportation.
Unlocking Success through Industry Education: Enhancing Your Company’s Growth and Expertise, by Morgana Somers (IAM) and Ann Wohlstetter (Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Fund Board)
We have wondered why we have so few international applicants for Alan F. Wohlstetter scholarships. It was noted that there is a common misconception that AFW Scholarship is only open to U.S. participants, but this is not true—the scholarship is open to all, regardless of geography. IAM’s immediate takeaway is that we need to do a better job of getting the word out!
We learned more about the educational training needs from our members, which include learning about possible career paths along with the need for skills training. We asked, “how can we make our educational outreach more effective for your company?” Members are asking for simple, easy to digest tools and resources, refresher courses, and learning modules tailored to different roles and responsibilities, from in-office to in warehouse to drivers and packers.
We learned that some countries like Germany have apprenticeship programs for freight forwarders, and this is a way that moving companies in those regions attract and retain talent. Many of the other topics discussed at the CMMB session noted that further training and education on their discussion topics would be helpful to the industry, especially in the discussions regarding contraband, cybersecurity, and claims mitigations.
Conclusion
These in-depth discussion groups condensed a wealth of industry experience and wisdom into one relatively short Annual Meeting session. Participants left on a “high” with lots of new ideas to implement in their companies, and IAM staff and leadership gained valuable insight into member needs for educational opportunities.
DAY 3
Day three began at 9:00 am with Navigating the Transition: Reviewing the 2023 DoD Peak Moving Season and Exploring the Future of the Global Household Goods Contract. This session explored DoD Perspectives on the 2023 Peak Season and the future of the transition to the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC). The Panel included representatives from U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), a Joint Personal Property Shipping Office (JPPSO), and a Service Headquarters expert. Panelists discussed the near certainty that the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) will operate simultaneously with GHC next peak season. TRANSCOM is currently still developing and testing their system that will manage the DoD side of GHC moves. That system is called MilMove. Per the TRANSCOM panelist, there is no definitive answer as to when the first shipments will move under GHC. They noted that the 2024 peak season will feature a conditions-based phase-in of GHC shipments in the domestic market. Under this model, the international roll-out may be bumped back into the following year. They addressed other topics including the non-temporary storage contract initiative, 2024 business rule changes, and much more.
Speakers included Dan Bradley, Director of Government & Military Relations, IAM (Moderator); Jim Teague, Deputy Director, JPPSO – North Central; Brian Imler, Director, Distribution Management Office, HQ Marine Corps; and Danny Martinez, Chief, Systems Division, Defense Personal Property Management Office.
Another session, Build Trust Through Effective Conflict Resolution: Embracing the IAM Issue Resolution Process, ran concurrently. In this session, we introduced attendees to the IAM Issue Resolution System, a cutting-edge benefit that offers our member companies a powerful tool for resolving conflicts and strengthening industry trust. We explored the key features and advantages of this process, highlighting its role in promoting fair and efficient resolutions. The support available to members throughout the process was discussed in detail, including expert guidance, mediation services, and access to a vast network of industry professionals. The main takeaway from this session is that the IAM Issue Resolution process can bolster your company’s credibility, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to a thriving moving industry.
Speakers: Brian Limperopulos, Vice President, IAM; and Morgana Somers, Director of Global Services, IAM.
The next panel session began at 10:30: Build Your Business by Diversifying into Residential COD. Here, IAM and the US Domestic Asset-Based (DAB) Mover Group explored the opportunities and challenges involved in diversifying your moving business into the realm of residential COD. While the business landscape constantly evolves, residential COD relocations have historically been a mainstay service in high demand for many US-DABs. Entering the residential COD moving segment, however, requires careful planning, specialized knowledge, and effective strategies in marketing, advertising, and coordination. The speakers noted that diversification is important because conditions can change rapidly, and as a way to capture new market segments. They cautioned that every COD move will be contested and price-conscious, so do your market research first. Points of special importance to those new to the field included researching the certifications needed for regulatory compliance, effective pricing strategies, marketing and developing relationships with agents and realtors, senior moves, the effectiveness of purchased lead services, and the heavy dependence of your COD success on reviews.
Speakers included Oded Carmi, President, DN Van Lines, Inc. (Moderator); David Cox, President, JK Moving Services; Tom O'Gorman, COO, Gentle Giant Moving Co.; and Mike Kessler, VP of Sales, Flatrate Moving & Storage.
At 11:30 am, the Hall of Honor Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon was held to recognize inductees into the IAM Hall of Honor. The 2023 class included Steve Lewis of Voerman International (deceased), Jim Putt of Aires (deceased), and Steve Weitekamp, President of the California Moving and Storage Association (CMSA). Video tributes for each inductee were shown, and each award was accepted with a few heartfelt words. Pauline Collins and Wiebe van Bockel accepted the award on behalf of Steve Lewis, and Jolene Lauffer, President of Aires, accepted on behalf of Jim Putt, who founded the company.
Each honoree received a crystal award, a Hall of Honor lapel pin, and a certificate of induction. Their full Hall of Honor biographies can be found in the September/October 2023 issue of the Portal magazine, as well as on the IAM website. The Hall of Honor was established in 2008 to pay tribute to industry leaders whose careers reflect exceptional and distinguished service to their companies or the Association, or who have worked to elevate the industry as a whole.
Please note that nominations will open on January 1 for the 2024 Hall of Honor class. See the Nomination Guidelines page for details.
At 2:00 pm, the Risk Management and Claims Panel began. The panel consisted of individuals from the industry and from the DoD Military Claims Offices. They discussed a multitude of topics, starting with the fact that overall, there was a decline in claims this season, which made for smoother sailing than usual. It was noted that the Army had actually seen an increase in claims, with fewer claims for unique items and more for items that had been left off of the lists. The Air Force, too, had an increase in high-dollar claims. Changes to customer satisfaction scoring under TRANSCOM’s new Best Value Scoring (BVS 2.0) methodology were also discussed, especially regarding the impact of BVS 2.0 on a transportation service provider’s overall best value, due to how claims satisfaction is now scored in the program. The panel was packed with useful information and the discussion with the audience was lively.
Speakers included Dan Bradley, Director of Government & Military Relations, IAM (Moderator); Kirra Floyd, Director of Claims, TMM; JD Klein, Supervisory Paralegal, US Army Claims Service; Carnita Farve, Director, USAF Claims Service Center; and Kelly Dobis, Claims Director, HomeSafe Alliance.
Another Learning Lab, Why They Come and Why They go? Recruiting and Retaining the Best Talent, began at 2:30. Speakers from global moving and mobility companies were on hand to share proven strategies, best practices, and practical solutions to help attendees build a talented workforce and create an engaging work environment. They noted that 2023 has been a year of contractions, with companies allowing personnel to leave and not filling their positions, and debated whether companies should be investing in their people or hunting for the stars in the industry. The discussion ranged over generational expectations, a company’s brand as an employer, the burden of sustainability requirements, the downside of inadequate staff to manage the workload, strategies to make employees feel valued, and many more.
Speakers included Derek Duffy, President, FIDI Global Alliance and President, Armstrong International Movers (Moderator); Ben Cross, CEO, GLOMO; Joleen Lauffer, President, Aires; and Enrique Lopez, Director, Head of Moving, Hasenkamp.
Later that evening, the YP Social Mixer kicked into gear at The Walrus Pub & Beer Hall. The Walrus is a spacious venue with a dance floor, pub games, and multiple bars split between two levels. YP members, guests and IAM staff arrived early and stayed late. The photo booth was a very popular feature, as always, and everyone had a wonderful time and stayed out very late.
DAY 4
The final day of the Annual Meeting began when the expo hall opened at 8:00 am, featuring breakfast food and refreshments which remained available until the expo hall officially closed at noon.
At 9:00 am, Executive Committee Chair Mike Richardson opened the Premier Members’ Meeting. IAM President Chuck White discussed his impending retirement at the end of the conference and spoke about IAM’s revised membership categories, including the news that we now have more than 200 Premier members. He also announced that Brittany Brooks, the new chair of the DAB Movers Group, will have a seat on the Executive Committee. As the largest moving market in the world, U.S. movers are underrepresented in IAM and Chuck mentioned how IAM is working to change that.
The Premier Members’ Election followed Chuck’s remarks, and results were presented at the end of the meeting. Committee reports were presented by the committee chairs, with updates about their program areas. IAM staff also presented updates on specific aspects of the Association.
The last session, The Future of U.S. Department of Defense Moving; The Latest Updates on the Global Household Goods Contract with HomeSafe Alliance Leaders, started at 2:00 pm, and consisted of four members of the leadership team of HomeSafe Alliance. Matt Dolan, President of HomeSafe Alliance, spoke at length on many subjects, starting with a projected optimistic timeline that begins with a small number of domestic moves in November. He said they hope to begin international shipments next September, but there is a great deal more work to be done before it can begin, and the timing will ultimately be in TRANSCOM’s hands. The speakers covered many important topics including the two-stage registration process for organizations, feedback on the Master Service Agreement that HomeSafe Alliance received from IAM, usage of liftvans in domestic and international shipments, relationships HomeSafe Alliance is building with commercial air carriers, and the impacts of the Service Contract Act and the fuel surcharge. The panel also took many questions from attendees on critical topics including rates, program transparency, availability of HomeSafe’s rate calculator, budgets, and their shipment consolidation methodology.
Speakers included Charles White, President, IAM (Moderator); Matt Dolan, President, HomeSafe Alliance; Caleb Mixon, VP, Network Development, HomeSafe Alliance; Dale Collins, VP, International Operations, HomeSafe Alliance; and Jim McAvey, Director, Procurement & Supply Chain Management, HomeSafe Alliance.
At the end of the final day, the Closing Reception, Dinner and Entertainment began with a reception in the convention hall foyer. On his final night as President of the association, Chuck White welcomed members and guests to the ballroom where amazing teams of acrobats and dancers thrilled the crowd before and after this final meal shared with our global friends. The entertainment was followed by music and dancing, and many attendees stayed until the band bid us good night. We are pleased that you joined us here in Toronto, and we look forward to seeing you again next year at our 62nd Annual Meeting & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada!
AITI Perspective on the Annual Meeting
By Serenella Maggi, AITI General Secretary
It was with great pleasure that we accepted the invitation of the IAM President to attend the IAM Annual Meeting that was held in Toronto from 9 to 12 October. The Association of Italian Moving Companies (AITI) has always supported IAM and in this occasion we had finally the opportunity to strengthen our relationship and our synergies about present and future common projects.
IAM President Brian Limperopulos, to whom we renew our congratulations for the new position, was very kind and welcomed us together with the Sales Director Matthieu Odijk, whom we had already had the pleasure of meeting in person in Rome, during the month of August.
It was the first time that AITI attended an IAM conference, and it was really a great experience. AITI President Alessandro Russo and I witnessed an excellent organization—the IAM staff was friendly and helpful at all times. The conference was very interesting and meeting colleagues and exchanging opinions is always stimulating.
Working with fun and trust should be the aim for every industry and surely it is the case for the IAM Annual Meeting; in addition to working sessions, we attended joyful parties and dinners.
I had the pleasure of participating this year at the Core Members Meeting after Barbara Savelli in her IAM volunteer role for the European members explained to me how the concept of the eight-roundtable brainstorming format was organized this year. We discussed topics ranging from sustainability to the working relationship with the Gen Z, digitalization and identifying and preventing the transport of contraband in household goods shipments. These are topics that we will represent and develop for the benefit of Italian movers as well.
Certainly, the participation in the IAM event has enriched us; the comparison of ideas and opinions is always formative and inspiring for the future activities of our national association AITI.
Saving the best for last, we are very excited about the upcoming first conference of the newly formed FIM Federation of Italian Movers on December 2, which will be attended by IAM’s Matthieu Odjik as our special international guest.
We will not miss the chance to let you know more about it, knowing already that it will be extraordinary in terms of number of attendees.
Thanks again to IAM, and we look forward to the next time!