U.S. DAB Digest March 2023

March 13, 2023

In this Issue:

  • From the DAB Management Board Chair
  • Save the Date – March DAB Hour - Recruitment & Retention
  • Moving Technology Present and Future
  • Keeping the Wheels Turning and On Track
  • DAB Hour on Mold Prevention and Mitigation
  • There’s Still Time – Register Now for the Dispatchers Convention!
  • Commercial Auto Risk Trends for 2023
  • Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Applications - Submit Yours Today!
  • Member Spotlight

The DAB Digest is IAM’s monthly newsletter with an exclusive focus on news for U.S. asset-based movers, including independents and van line agents.

This month’s topics include a piece on embedded moving insurance, what DAB members do during peak season to keep the wheels turning and on-track, a summary from the recent DAB Hour on mold mitigation and remediation and commercial auto insurance trends.


DAB members and Allies are welcome to contribute company news or information that helps the industry grow and flourish.   Submissions can be sent to Dan Bradley, IAM’s staff lead for the DAB Mover Group or DAB Chair, Chris Lantz.

From the DAB Management Board Chair

By Chris Lantz

 

Firstly, I want to give a big thanks to all those that joined us on our DAB Hour on Mold Prevention and Mitigation. WOW! We thought it was well attended and hope everyone walked away with something they could benefit from in the field. If you missed it, Brittany Brooks provides a great summary in this issue. You can also view it (and any other webinars you may have missed) any time through the IAM Learning portal. The the whole purpose of the DAB hours is to supply the boots on the ground with information they can use to be more successful in their everyday work. If you have an idea for a DAB Hour, please let me or Daniel Bradley know.

 

Another topic of discussion is at the IAM Annual meeting this year we will be announcing a new Chair and Co-Chair to head up the DAB Management Board (DMB) and represent DABs across the country.

Read More

Save the Date – March DAB Hour - Recruitment & Retention

Join fellow DAB members and colleagues on Thursday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. for our next DAB Hour about recruitment and retention. Ray daSilva will talk with Mark Gray about his 29 years in the moving industry recruitment field. Be ready for a story or two along with insights on best practices for successful staff recruitment and retention.

 

Mark Gray is a product of the industry he serves and has experienced everything from working on trucks to selling relocation services to Fortune 500 Companies. This background gives him the knowledge and industry experience to help movers find the right candidates for open positions. Gray’s unique insight helps him better understand the goals and objectives of an industry professional looking to make a career change.

 

Register Now!

Moving Technology Present and Future

By Gadi Binness


Relocation Insurance Group (RIG) team members share their vision of how technology could improve the moving industry in the future, from driverless cars to better use of barcodes and 3D printing. While some of those innovations may not be implemented for a while, one major innovation, embedded moving insurance, is here now.
Read More

Keeping the Wheels Turning and On Track

By Tim Helenthal

 

During peak season, things can get hectic. You can picture this in your own operation when it’s June or July and everyone has been working an insane number of hours pulling off customer service miracles after the inevitable equipment break-downs, customer cancelations, crew no-shows, and last- minute date changes have tanked your plan for the day, the week, and the entire month.

 

Right now, we find ourselves at the point of the turning wheel where things are smooth, but the peak season with its bumpy, uneven tread, will soon be upon us. How do we prepare our teams to understand that the bumpy stretch is perfectly normally and that it will pass?

 

I asked a few of our DAB members what they do during peak season to keep the wheels turning and on-track. I was super impressed with the response! Here are some of the answers.

Read More

DAB Hour on Mold Prevention and Mitigation

By Brittany Brooks

 

On Feb. 23, the DAB Management Board hosted our monthly webcast with a focus on Mold Prevention and Mitigation. Mold concerns and issues continue to seep into all aspects of moving, thus the importance of proactive and preventative measures.

 

If you were unable to join in on the Feb. 23 webcast, please browse through the great discussion points and conversation

 

What is the difference between Mitigation and Remediation surrounding “mold”?

 

Mitigation – as an agent, we have a duty to mitigate. For example, if an item is “wet”, the mitigation/reasonable effort is to dry the items. In short, mitigation is drying the items and preventing further damage. Take immediate action.

 

Remediation – there is a contaminant that causes a potential health issue and you need a licensed professional to address it.

Read More

There’s Still Time – Register Now for the Dispatchers Convention!

Get ready to network with your industry colleagues at the Dispatchers Convention in Macon, Ga. March 30 – April 2 at the Macon Marriott City Center

 

This year’s hosts are Bruce Riggins and the team at Cicero’s Moving & Storage.

 

This event is designed for networking, allowing you more time to connect with fellow movers and industry suppliers alike. There will be plenty of opportunities to talk one-on-one with colleagues, have some fun and learn something new. 

 

More than 150 attendees are expected. Learn more and register now.

Commercial Auto Risk Trends for 2023

By Casey Myers

 

Brace for additional rate pressure in commercial auto insurance this year as carriers continue to grapple with costly claims caused by increasing parts costs, labor shortages, poor driving behaviors and social inflation.

 

Social inflation is defined as, “the phenomenon of unexpected rising insurance claim costs because of societal trends and views toward litigation,” according to the Insurance Risk Management Institute.

Read More

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.

­

Read it Now!

­

Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Applications - Submit Yours Today!

Don't delay and be left out. Other people are already applying!

 

The Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Fund (AFWSF) is the cornerstone of the International Association of Movers’ scholastic assistance initiative. Named for distinguished Association founder and General Counsel Emeritus Alan F. Wohlstetter, the fund benefits the employees of IAM member companies and their dependents, as well as students.

 

Since its launch in 2002, the AFW Scholarship Fund has awarded more than 110 scholarships of US$5,000 each.

 

Learn more and apply now!

Member Spotlight

Gadi Binness

Gadi Binness is the Founder, CEO and President of Relocation Insurance Group, an online insurance agency, and a pioneer in the moving, mobility, self-storage, mobile-storage and logistic insurance segments. 

Tim Helenthal

Tim Helenthal is the CEO & Chairman of National Holding Co., the parent company of National Van Lines and National Forwarding Co.


Tim oversees National Van Lines’ corporate direction and strategy by combining industry expertise with visionary thinking. Focusing on developing his leaders, he champions an employee team dedicated to maintaining the reputation of a trusted company that values its customers.
Tim’s scope extends beyond NVL’s corporate boundaries. He was the International Association of Movers’ Vice-Chairman before his 2017 election to Chairman and two subsequent re-elections.

Brittany Brooks

Brittany Brooks is the Manager of Customer Service at Conser International, and has been in the military industry for 10 years. She specializes in international TSP management, with a focus on customer satisfaction. In her free time, Brittany enjoys volunteering with her charity group within the St. Augustine, Florida community!

Casey Myers

Casey Myers, Vice President, Champion Risk & Insurance Services, is an insurance industry veteran with more than 16 years of experience. She specializes in providing insurance coverage and advice for moving and storage clients. She is well-versed in industry trends, challenges and changes facing the household goods industry and serves as the associate board member for the California Moving & Storage Association (CMSA). When she isn’t working, Casey enjoys cycling, running and spending time with her husband Diego and their dog Chance.