AMERICAN MOVING AND STORAGE ASSOCIATION – 2007 CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW

In late April, John Levi, president of CAM, attended AMSA’s 2007 convention and trade show. One of the objectives of the convention was to wish Joe Harrison well in retirement. Joe retired after serving the moving industry for 26 years. He led the moving industry through the mergers of the Household Goods Carriers’ Bureau and the American Movers Conference and then between the American Movers Conference and the National Moving and Storage Association to finally create the American Moving and Storage Association. He is responsible for developing much of the recent mover- and consumer-related regulations. CAM thanks Joe for his friendship and support and wishes him well in his retirement.

Joe has been succeeded as president by Linda Bauer Darr. Ms. Darr comes to AMSA from the American Bus Association, the US Department of Transportation, and the North American Transportation Alliance. She has excellent qualifications for the position and demonstrated a passion for moving in her address to attendees at the convention. CAM wishes her success in her new position and looks forward to maintaining the close relationship between our two associations.

The convention had some excellent content. A couple of presentations to note were:

• A panel discussion, “Industry Trends: Including Container/Trailer Customer Load and Unload Services”:
  The panel discussed the value of both mover-serviced and consumer-loaded portable moving/storage containers. They felt that this might be one area where the traditional mover would face new competition. It might also present an opportunity for movers where there were labour shortages. They talked about the importance of demystifying the pricing structure to give the consumer pricing that was easier to understand.
   
• A presentation by John Hill, Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
  Mr. Hill discussed the improvements in highway safety in the USA, initiatives in monitoring driver health and unified commercial-driver’s licence data to ensure that all jurisdictions are aware of any medical risk or infractions a driver might have. FMCSA will develop the National Consumer Complaints Registry. It was obvious in the presentation that AMSA had developed a great relationship with government.

CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL MOVER COURSE — IT’S NOW LOCATED ON A NEW WEBSITE!

On May 1, 2007, we moved the course to a new website at Dalhousie University. All users of the course will be notified of their new user names and passwords. The course will be available through the same link in the Education section on the Movers page on our website.

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS’ MAGAZINE

CAM placed the following article in the Canadian Association of Retired Persons’ monthly magazine, CARP. We have already had calls from seniors looking for a good mover. We referred them to you.

Smooth Move

Every year, the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) hears from hundreds of Canadians who have been victimized by movers. If you make the right decisions before you move, you’ll save money, prevent damage and avoid frustration and heartache. Here are some basic suggestions from CAM.

• Use a reputable mover. Contact the Better Business Bureau or CAM for referrals. Go to www.mover.net/consumers.html
  or call 1-866-860-0065 for information.
• Get your estimate in writing. Abuses arise when there is nothing in writing, including low-balling an estimate and then demanding double or triple the amount before delivery, a company that’s a no-show on moving day, damage to goods and refusal to pay insured amounts.
• Visit the mover’s place of business to ensure the business exists. Too often, a mover operates with a cell phone only and can never be found after the move.

And remember, the lowest price does not always yield an economical move. Good moves are delivered only by good movers. Reprinted with permission of CARP magazine (May, 2007).

CAM is currently discussing the placement of an ongoing series of articles in future issues of the magazine.

CAM EVENT SCHEDULE — IT’S TIME TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

We have scheduled our golf tournaments and annual conference for 2007:

• June 8 – CAM’s BC golf tournament in Vancouver (Langara Golf Course)
• June 11 – CAM’s Alberta golf tournament in Red Deer (RiverBend Golf Course)
• September 17 – CAM’s annual golf tournament in Toronto (Granite Ridge Golf Course – Milton)

SHORE PUBLISHING

You may have been solicited to place a listing in The Canadian Move Organizer. This is NOT a CAM initiative. CAM decided not to participate. It is a new publication. It may or may not be a worthwhile advertising vehicle for you.