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Inside

• President's Message

• Deadline Looming!

• CAM News

• CAM Annual General Meeting

• CAM 2024 Annual Conference – November 17 – 19, 2024

• International News

• Labour. Crisis, what crisis?

• Effective Leadership

• Social Media Connections

• In Case You Missed It

President's Message

We have an outstanding list of homegrown speakers this year and they will be discussing topics, suggested by you, that are near and dear to your heart.  They are friends of the industry and know a lot about the moving world we live in.

•    We are honoured to have International Association of Movers president Brian Limperopulos join us as our keynote on Monday morning.  Brian is going to update us on the topsy-turvy world of moving.  There’s lots going on outside our borders that affects us and influences how we can conduct moving successfully.
•    Something completely out of our control is malicious cyber threats and the damage they can do to our business.  Gord Cowan of Cybrilliance is going to tell us about cyber security and give us some tips on how to prepare for operational resilience if there is a breach.
•    One of the biggest challenges we have in this industry is navigating insurance and claims.  Ugh.  Chris Webber of NFP Canada will emphasize that you and your clients need to understand what happens next if things go wrong.  We can’t be selling insurance, and you need to know your rights and responsibilities within the framework of current conditions of carriage and warehouse receipts acts in order to do things right.
•    AMJ’s Alannah Granger is going to follow Chris’ session with a discussion about managing risk. As someone in the trenches every day, Alannah will guide us through opportunities for risk mitigation programs and risk transference.
•    With everything being online now, it’s more critical than ever to up your social game.  BC’s Salmon’s Moving’s Mark Hirschi is going to conduct a content marketing 101 session focussing on Ai and ChatGPT.
•    The moving business isn’t what it used to be.  As we learned through the pandemic, you need to be able to adjust and refine your business to survive.  But sometimes those knee-jerk decisions aren’t always the smartest.  Longtime mover and now industry consultant Peter McCullough at Raven Research is going to talk with us about strategic growth.  
•    Following that, Peter is leading a panel discussion with several CAM members who are actively in various phases of succession planning.  I know that our office needs to do that.  I can imagine many of you do too.  This will be a great session to get you thinking about what’s next.

The conference is not all brain fodder.  As our regulars can attest, you will get many opportunities to meet and hang out with fellow movers and suppliers in a convivial relaxed atmosphere.  That’s where the heart of the conference really beats … a chance to catch up with old friends and make new business partnerships across the country to help you out.  From the very newest of members to the folks who have more than four decades under their belts, the noise level is high with a lot of laughter sprinkled in amongst the yakking.

You’re even going to be able to toss a few footballs around!  Our conference always bumps up against the CFL playoffs, but for the first time, the final game of the CFL season will be on during our welcome reception.  When did you last watch a Grey Cup game with 125 of your closest friends and colleagues?  Whether or not you are a football fan, CAM’s Tailgate Party sponsored by MoverOne will be fun.  If you can’t come for the whole conference, tickets can be purchased for the Sunday night reception.

CAM hasn’t hosted a conference in the Toronto area in almost a decade and we won’t be back for many years.  If you are in the neighbourhood and haven’t been before – now’s your chance.  It’s a fabulous way to learn, socialize and build your network.

In 17 days – October 18th

Book Your Hotel Room Now – 75% sold!

Don't be disappointed that you missed out on staying at the conference hotel or at our preferred rate of $189.00 + tax.

BOOK NOW – DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 18, 2024.

Here is the link to book your room or you can call 905-677-9900.

Congratulations CAM Award Recipients 2024!

For 24 years CAM has been recognizing excellence in the moving industry. Whether it’s a long-time high-profile employee, someone behind the scenes who has dedicated their work-life to the betterment of the industry, or a moving company that has gone beyond the call of duty to help their community, our Association wants to acknowledge people who should be recognized for their work to improve the moving industry.

The class of 2024 is no exception. We are pleased to announce the following as recipients of a CAM award.

•    Public Service – Cotie Drinkwater, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® – Niagara Region
•    Influencer – Alex Hupé, Shortline Moving (Winnipeg MB)
•    Industry Leadership – Mark Hirschi, Salmon’s Moving (Richmond BC)
•    Distinguished Service – Lorne Babiuk, Firemen Movers (Toronto ON) and Wayne Wishloff, Matco Moving Systems (Edmonton AB)
•    Mover – Quality Move Management (Delta BC) – Agent and Bob the Mover (Fort Erie ON) – Independent 

We have a wonderful industry that we should be proud of!

Recognition of these accomplished individuals and companies will be expressed at the CAM Awards Dinner on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in Mississauga. If you are interested in attending to cheer on your colleagues, you can find single ticket or table options on our conference website under registration.

For more on the specific awards, recipients, and the dinner, click here.

What A Day for Golf!

You never know what kind of a day it will be when you hit the links.  On September 16th, ten teams teed off to spectacular golf weather of sun and a slight breeze (although it could have been a few degrees cooler).  Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Hansen’s, for arranging the great weather.

Ten teams vied for various prizes, and “drove” hard through the various on-course activities. The afternoon was topped off with a yummy Belly Busting Buffet courtesy of Jeff Herszkowicz and FarrellPack.

Everyone always leaves with at least one prize and thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, there were lots of gift cards this year! Sadly, Ron Ohayon has still not been able to give away the Snowbirds Auto Connection $10,000 Hole in One, although we hear that a couple of people came close.  Here are our larger contest winners.

1. “Opening Drive” Hole in One – Jerry Aiello (Staples), sponsored by Snowbirds Auto Connection
2. Closest to the Box – Team Bronte/Intercontinental, sponsored by Déménagement Outaouais and Royal Moving (Robert Schumann pictured) presented by Nancy Irvine, CAM
3. Closest to the Line – Jay Ryan (Intercontinental), presented by Tracy Ward, Mover's Equipment & Supplies Ltd.
4. Closest to the Pin – Robert Schumann (Bronte Moving), presented by Jeff Herszkowicz FarrellPack 
5. Longest Drive – Brenda Naylor (Tippet Richardson) and Sean McGuire (CAM), presented by Chris Webber, NFP Canada
6. Blue Ball Challenge – Team Phillips/SFI, presented by Patricia Lopes, Blue Bins Unlimited
7. Best Looking Team (i.e., high score) – Team Spicers, sponsored by Déménagement Outaouais and Royal Moving, presented by Nancy Irvine, CAM
8. Low Score –Team Tippet Richardson, prize presented by John Kelly, Hansen’s

Thank You!

None of this would have happened without the huge support of all our sponsors and contributors, especially our Presenting Sponsor – Hansen’s – who have all made this day so much fun.  Every single sponsor’s participation makes such a difference in the outcome of our golf day and we can’t thank you enough.

See you next year!

CAM Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 11:30 am

The Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Association of Movers will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Hilton Toronto Airport hotel in Mississauga. At this meeting, CAM will review our recent activities, our finances, and our plans for the coming year. Circle the date – we’d love to see you!

As required by CAM’s bylaws, the below agenda constitutes the notice of the annual general meeting.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, November 19, 2024

•    Call to order and opening remarks
•    Notice of meeting and adoption of agenda
•    Ratification of actions
•    Approval of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Nov 14, 2023
•    Committee chairs’ reports

o    Annual conference committee
o    International committee
o    Membership committee
o    Supplier committee

•    Treasurer’s report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024
•    Appointment of auditor
•    President’s report
•    Chairman’s report and direction for 2025
•    Election of directors
•    Other business
•    Adjournment

Reports, financials, and additional AGM information will be shared with members prior to the meeting. Interested in serving on the Board of Directors?  Contact Nancy.

CAM 2024 Annual Conference – November 17 – 19, 2024

Trade Show Booths Now Available – Only 7 left!

Get your product or service in front of movers, senior van line representatives, other CAM suppliers and supporters.  Your exhibitor booth is now ready to be reserved!

To learn more about the trade show, click here. 

CAM2024 Sponsorship

CAM members love attending the annual conference. For almost three decades, CAM has provided an opportunity for our mover members to learn, socialize, and spend time with suppliers and friends of CAM.

CAM offers a variety of packages that fit all levels of supporters’ marketing budgets. When you register online for a sponsorship, you’ll have the option to pay immediately by credit card or be invoiced later. Or just send us an email now telling us you’re interested and we‘ll register you and send an invoice.

The conference is CAM's major source of non-dues revenue. Any level of support for CAM is welcomed, respected, and acknowledged.

For more information on the sponsorship opportunities, click here.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Longshore Workers Shut Down East Coast Shipping

September 30, 2024

Another week, another strike that potentially can cripple the movement of the supply chain.  This time it’s the Gulf, Eastern Seaboard, and Montréal ports.   As the time of writing,  two Termont terminals (Viau and Maisonneuve) in Montréal, through which approximately 41% of containers transit, will stay closed until Thursday 3 October at 6:59 AM affecting 320 of the 1,200 dockworkers.

If that wasn’t enough, 85,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), joined in solidarity by tens of thousands of dockworkers and maritime workers around the world, are planned to hit the picket lines this morning at 12:01 am on Tuesday, 1 October.  The extent of the disruption that could be caused by any industrial action cannot be underestimated, with the 14 ports represented by the ILA union, handling 28.4 million containers in 2023 or 550,000 TEU’s per week.

TSA Development – New TSA Rule Tightens Air Cargo Security for International Shippers 

IAM, September 6, 2024

The International Association of Movers sent out a missive regarding a significant update in the Household Goods sector and Air Cargo.  As of August 21, 2024, the US TSA has implemented a new rule imposing stricter security measures for international cargo entering the US.  As of now, the TSA is requiring carriers to provide additional details of shippers and consignees to the US Customs and Border Protection agency from Europe, CIS, and Middle East regions.

Some foreign carriers may be suspending services until further clarification is given.  As always, check with your international partners before booking anything that may be routing through the US.

4 Leadership Tips To Keep Your Trucking Employees On Board

Trucknews.com, September 4, 2024

“People don’t leave organizations.  They leave bosses,” says leadership expert David Irvine, highlighting a long-standing issue in the trucking industry, where driver retention has been a persistent challenge.

Irvine argues that poor management and a lack of genuine care from direct supervisors are often the real reasons employees leave.  “If you don’t have time to take care of people, don’t expect them to stick around,” he says.

Fleet managers can foster a workplace where employees – from office staff to dispatchers and drivers – feel genuinely valued and motivated.  This can be achieved by discussing values during the hiring process, maintaining regular connections, setting clear expectations, and investing in leadership development.

The 6 Most Common Leadership Styles and How to Use Them

LinkedIn, April 8, 2024

Managers play an outsized role in shaping a company’s culture. Leadership in a management position is a balancing act between leveraging your personal strengths and adjusting to deliver what your team needs to remain positive, motivated, and productive. 

Understanding how your style of leadership impacts others can help you create the workplace culture that your team needs to thrive.

Part 7 – The Recap - What are the types of leadership?

Here are the six types of leadership that were covered in this series

1. Coercive Leadership Style
If you deliver directives in a commanding way, eliciting quick and effective action from your team, you may be a coercive leader.

2. Authoritative Leadership Style
Authoritative leaders (sometimes also called autocratic leaders) often share these traits: You are a visionary and you love looking to the horizon, seeing the potential ahead and motivating your team to push on toward your shared goals.

3. Affiliative Leadership Style
If you’re a people person, brimming with empathy, you may have an affiliative leadership style. Leaders of this type are often natural listeners — they’re at their best when they can offer support, give praise, and celebrate milestones.

4. Democratic Leadership Style
Democratic leaders take their team’s ideas and feedback into consideration, often allowing the opportunity for healthy debate before agreeing on how to proceed with a project or action item.

5. Pacesetting Leadership Style
If you’re a natural guide, this could be your leadership style. You have a clear view of the full path to success and understand what it takes for your team to be successful day-to-day.

6. Coaching Leadership Style
Does this sound familiar? You love helping others develop new skills and reach their full potential — plus you’re a natural at giving appropriate and effective feedback. If so, you may have a coaching leadership style.

Be the leader your team needs

Successful leadership is often about helping your team members achieve their goals and become their best selves at work.

Ready to be a transformational leader? Take some time to identify which of the six different leadership styles listed above feels most natural to you, then be sure to get situational or kinetic by employing the other leadership styles as circumstances change and your team evolves.

Social Media Connections

Have you liked us yet?

CAM Welcomes Two New Board Members

Mike Kolberg, Chair of CAM’s Board of Directors, is pleased to announce two new additions to our Board.  “Both of these gentlemen will make strong additions to our Board and represent our membership well,” says Kolberg.  Both begin with their first Board meeting this coming Friday.

Mark Hirschi

A year old this month, Mark started Movified, a podcast offering insights into the moving industry.  Never one to sit still, Mark also organized the first annual BC Movers’ golf tournament held in Surrey on August 11th.

Mark sat on CAM’s marketing committee and helped design our latest CAM brochure.  Mark's energy and experience in social media and marketing will definitely be an asset to our association.

Leon Johnson

Very active in the community, Leon has been found around the table for the NWT Chamber of Commerce and currently is involved with Edmonton’s Chamber.  Leon is President of the Breakfast Club and also has been a star in the Move For Hunger program, leading Matco to win their award as the Canadian moving company that collected the most food in 2022.  

“With the constant changes and challenges, CAM has an important role to play in the future of the relocation industry in Canada,” says Johnson.  “Quality of service in the industry has always been of keen interest to me,” he continues.  “Raising the level professionalism in the industry is a goal I am partial to.”

We look forward to both Mark’s and Leon’s insights as we continue to develop programs and member services and maintain the higher standards our members and the public expect.

Conference Platinum Sponsor - NFP

Conference Session – Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Join us Tuesday morning, November 19th as Peter McCullough, Principal at Raven Research leads an important interactive conversation on business development.  This session will be followed by a panel discussion on planning for succession with several CAM members who are currently in the process.

As business owners we all want to grow our companies but growth for growth’s sake can be dangerous to your bottom line.  

Growth should be strategic.  Whether expansion comes from organic revenue growth through data-driven sales management; through adding new product lines to your household goods division like local, long distance, and international; entering into the white glove markets of High-Value Products, final mile delivery, or e-commerce fulfillment; expanding by merger or acquisition, or by opening net new locations across the country. 

Whatever growth path your business takes, it should have a strategic direction.

Brooklyn Moving Company Sales Rep Gets Two Years For $3M Scam

New York Daily News, August 29, 2024

A sales rep from a shady Brooklyn moving company will move into a prison cell after a judge sentenced him Wednesday, August 28, 2024 to two years for a cruel scheme to hold customers’ belongings hostage unless they paid illegal last-minute fees.

Andre Prince, 45, of Florida, must report to federal prison by his February 15 surrender date.

A jury in Brooklyn Federal Court convicted Prince and co-worker Kristy Mak of wire fraud conspiracy in December 2023, finding them guilty in a scheme to trick some 800 customers out of a total $3 million. Mak still awaits sentencing. 

America’s Most Wanted

The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General (OIG) recently released its most wanted fugitives, most of whom are wanted for moving fraud.

As mentioned in the OIG release, defendants charged with transportation related crimes sometimes flee the court's jurisdiction and/or the United States rather than face prosecution or serve a sentence. When these circumstances occur, they become fugitives from justice.  

Here’s a most interesting list of movers.

The 6 Most Common Leadership Styles and How to Use Them

LinkedIn, April 8, 2024

Managers play an outsized role in shaping a company’s culture. Leadership in a management position is a balancing act between leveraging your personal strengths and adjusting to deliver what your team needs to remain positive, motivated, and productive. 

Understanding how your style of leadership impacts others can help you create the workplace culture that your team needs to thrive.

For the next few issues, CAM is going to dig into leadership styles and their effectiveness based on information we received through LinkedIn.

Part 5 - Pacesetting Leadership Style

If you’re a natural guide, this could be your leadership style. You have a clear view of the full path to success and understand what it takes for your team to be successful day-to-day. 

When to deploy a pacesetting leadership style: Your team is launching a new project with a whole new slate of daily tasks. Managing with a pacesetting leadership style will help your team stay on track and avoid mistakes.

How today’s workforce responds: Today’s workforce is eager to learn and grow, so allowing them to take on new challenges while under the guidance of a trusted manager can be empowering and important to their well-being. Remember: The pace car doesn’t stay on the track for the whole race. Eventually, you need to take a leadership approach that’s more delegative. In other words, step back and let your team go full-throttle on their own — or you’ll just be holding them back.

Stay tuned for part 6 in the next issue!

Legal Disclaimer

The Canadian Association of Movers and/or any of its staff or members cannot and will not accept any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information and details given in this newsletter which information has been obtained or given in good faith.

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