Highlight from IAM Headquarters

It seems like there is more news today than there has ever been in the global moving industry. That’s why IAM is going to be changing up our e-Portal Newsletter to deliver the news our members and outside stakeholders need and want. Over the next few weeks, the e-Portal will evolve to achieve this so let us know what you like and if it is an improvement. 

Today, we will be trying out a new feature where an IAM Leader or Staff Member highlights an issue the Association is tracking closely at its headquarters. For this issue, we want to highlight the latest development on the potential requirement for shippers worldwide (including movers!) to bear the responsibility for cleaning shipping containers to mitigate the global spread of invasive plants and species.

Last week, IAM Executive Committee members Boris Populoh and Ben Scheiner attended the IPPC Workshop on Container Cleanliness and Industry Advisory Group, with Boris sharing the role international movers play in the global supply chain. This issue is one we have been following closely with our partners at the FIDI Global Alliance because it has the potential to add significant costs and delays onto international shipments. Read the joint statement from IAM and FIDI.

Whether there are any new requirements remains to be seen but we encourage all IAM members to start educating yourself about container cleanliness and your role in preventing the global spread of invasive plants and pests. Here is a great resource from the North American Sea Container Initiative (NASCI) to begin that education process and look for more resources from IAM in the future.

Brian Limperopulos

Top Five News Stories You Might Have Missed

Graph from Freightos.

1. Xingang Port Lockdown
2. New York trumps LA and Long Beach in box throughput for the first time
3. Sterling hits record low against the dollar, as Asia-Pacific currencies also weaken
4. Seattle’s Housing Market Is Cooling Faster Than Any Other in the U.S.
5. Another week of tumbling spot rates – here come the 'carrot danglers'

Get more news like this on IAM's LinkedIn page.

What's on our Radar

• John Burrows, Vice Chair of IAM, was a guest on Ben Cross’ Love and Relo Show. Come for John’s assessment on how the industry will be impacted by disruptive events like the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) and stay for his unique philosophy on life and business.
   
• IAM and our U.S. Domestic Asset-Based (DAB) Mover Group hosted a session on claims last week. As we come out of the busy summer season, watch this video to learn how you can tune up your practices to keep as much of the profit you earned during peak season. Thanks to UNIRISC for their generous sponsorship of this session.
   
• And of course,  we are watching the upcoming Annual Meeting with a lot of excitement. Our numbers are trending toward almost 1,700 people in attendance from more than 110 countries! We are excited to welcome at least 238 first-time attendees – many of whom are clients - to the event as well. This represents an outstanding opportunity to connect with new business or find new providers to service your business.

Joint Sustainability Initiative Survey

As announced through a joint press release on September 6, IAM has joined forces with five other leading global mobility associations to drive our industry’s efforts towards greater environmental sustainability.

The participating associations have commissioned Deloitte to assist in defining the priorities and roadmap of this project. As a first action point, Deloitte has initiated an industry-wide survey for the member companies of all participating associations. The purpose of this survey is to understand how our industry is currently engaging with sustainability and to identify shared priorities.

It is important that we receive the broadest possible input from our membership to get the most accurate and complete picture. Please note that if you are a member of more than one participating association, you might receive this several times; please fill in the survey only once.

Take the Survey Now

Two Industry Leaders Appointed to Serve IAM and the AFWSF

Kay Kutt Appointed to IAM Leadership Alliance Council

Kay Kutt, CEO of Silk Relo, has been selected to be a part of the IAM Leadership Alliance Council. Kay will represent the council on behalf of Silk Relo’s sister company, Asian Tigers. Kay is an esteemed industry leader and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help drive forward the goals and initiatives the IAM Leadership Alliance Council set forth.

Terry Head Appointed to the Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Fund (AFWSF) Board of Directors

Hall of Honor Member Terry R. Head, IAM President Emeritus, CAE, CMC, ACC, has been appointed to serve on the AFWSF Board of Directors. The Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Fund seeks to enhance the professionalism of the global household goods moving industry by supporting the professional development and education of students and industry professionals worldwide. AFWSF President Maria Andrea Rodriguez remarked that, “Terry brings both a unique historical perspective as well as a forward-thinking mindset to the board. this combination will be critical to achieving the AFWSF’s mission moving forward.” To learn more about the Industry Training Program and the Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship, please visit our website or contact scholarship@iamovers.org.

Daniel Bradley Speaks at Southwest Movers Association Meeting

IAM's Daniel Bradley provided a military moving update to the Southwest Movers Association (SMA) during their annual conference.  Dan provided the attendees an update on the DoD’s Global Household Goods contract, planning that is happening now by the DoD on a future Non-Temp Storage Contract, an update on potential 2023 DP3 business rule changes and more.

Pictured with Dan is Dorothy Brooks.  After 60 years of serving the trucking and moving industries, Dorothy announced that she will be retiring effective Sept. 30. Dorothy has spent 60 years in the field of trucking-related association work. She began working for the oilfield group and then transitioned to TXTA, then named the Texas Motor Transportation Association, before moving to SMA as the Director of Operations, where she has been the last 22 years.

Coming Up at IAM Learning

As the IAM Annual Meeting approaches, IAM Learning sessions are slowing down a bit but will pick up again before you know it. Here is the next session you need to register for right now:

• U.S. Government & Military Affairs Update - Oct. 12

Feature Your Company and Your Capabilities to Your Industry Colleagues

The IAM E-Mail News Blast will feature a very limited number of Member Spotlights which will allow you to feature your company and its capabilities.  You can include a link to schedule a meeting at the IAM Annual Meeting.  For information and pricing contact connect@mobilityex.com.

PAIMA Golf Tournament

PAIMA's Eighth Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Oct. 30 and is open to all PAIMA and IAM members. Download the sign-up sheet and register today!

Portal Magazine

In every issue of the Portal, we invite our authors to share their experiences, success stories, learning experiences, and vision with others in the moving and forwarding industry. In addition to our regular columns, feature articles for each issue are united by a central theme. 

Submit your story today for the upcoming edition of the Portal Magazine. Contact Portal Editor Will Kohudic if you have any questions or want to send him your article.

American Logistics Aid Network Activates For Hurricane Ian

Photo from Everstream Analytics

As Hurricane Ian intensifies, IAM Partner The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) is urging Florida and Gulf Coast residents to prepare – and asking members of the logistics community who aren’t located near the storm’s path to be ready to help.  

“Over the next few days Hurricane Ian has the potential to deliver high winds, strong rains and a significant storm surge across many parts of Florida,” said Kathy Fulton, ALAN’s Executive Director. “We are mobilizing accordingly.”

Read More

IAM Country Guides

IAM’s Country Guides provide customs information for more than 170 countries and territories around the world.

IAM Resources

• New Members This Month
• Prospective Members for Next Month
• Alleged Debtor List
• Voluntary Cancellations List 
• Members canceled for not paying their dues
• Companies known to be misusing the IAM logo

Member News

Passing of Brian Carroll

 Brian Carroll, the founder of the Household Moving Company in Dublin, died recently in his mid-forties having been diagnosed with a terminal illness just a few weeks before. Mark Oakeshott writes in The Mover, “Unlike some of us that achieved some notoriety by working for or inheriting a company that was built from the efforts of others, Brian was a true entrepreneur who grew his small but successful company from scratch - originally working from his home before transitioning to his own office and warehouse.”

Read More

Shyft Appoints Randal Meske CEO, Closes Series B Funding

Shyft, a fintech-powered marketplace in the global moving industry, announced that Randal Meske has been named Chief Executive Officer. Meske is a veteran go-to-market and growth leader with decades of leadership experience, including roles at SaaS startups and industry leaders such as IBM, Lotus, IHS Markit, and Oracle. Meske's appointment comes on the heels of the company's closing of $16 million in Series B funding.

Read More

Christine Quinlan to Retire This Month

Christine Quinlan, General Manager of Central Van Lines, is set to retire on Sept. 30. IAM thanks her for her service to the industry by serving on the IAM Claims Committee.

Bekins Acquires New Location

From Jay McConnell of Bekins Moving Solutions on LinkedIn:

“Acquisitions and asset purchases in most instances are a little bit easier when expanding into a new city. There is so much more satisfaction starting something brand new from the ground up. Our new location in Tampa went from an empty warehouse last month to over 2,000,000 pounds of FF&E storage in a blink of an eye. Very proud of our Tampa, FL team working hard to fit one of our partners projects into our new facility.”

Ole Jensen to Retire

From the Paramount Transportation Systems LinkedIn Page:

After more than 48 years in the global relocation industry, we announce the retirement of Ole Jensen, Managing Director of Paramount Transportation Systems – Canada.

Ole started his career in Denmark’s transportation industry in 1974. His past leadership experience, from executive positions in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore, gave Ole the knowledge to open his own global moving company in 1989. Ole joined the Paramount Group in 2018. His contributions were integral to Paramount Canada’s success and continuity. His level of passion, commitment and energy will be deeply missed!

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Roger Moe joins the Planes Global Moving Service

From Brian Loud of Planes Companies on LinkedIn:

“It is my pleasure to welcome Roger Moe to the Planes Global Moving Services Team. In his role as Director, International Operations, Roger's experience in International Moving, Forwarding and Partner relationships will greatly assist Planes continued growth in the World of International Mobility. You can reach Roger at rmoe@planescompanies.com.”