2014–2015 Chairman Jay Casey Installed at CMSA Convention in Monterey

  
CMSA’s 96th Annual Convention was held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa from April 29 to May 4. More than 300 moving and storage specialists gathered in Monterey to make this a successful event.
           
Our Convention began on Tuesday with the Executive Committee meeting convening in the afternoon and the Movers and Shakers Reception/Dinner at night. The Movers and Shakers Reception/Dinner was an appreciation dinner for all CMSA Board members, Committee members, Chapter Presidents and special guests for their support of the Association throughout the year. The reception was sponsored by Gateways International Inc. and the dinner was sponsored by TransGuard Insurance Company of America.

On Wednesday morning, the Insurance, Government Affairs, Membership and Military Affairs Committees convened to discuss industry business items and concerns. The outgoing 2013–2014 Welch Board of Directors and the incoming 2014–2015 Casey Board of Directors convened in the afternoon. Outgoing Chairman PJ Welch thanked his directors for their hard work during the year by creating a 2014 CMSA scholarship award in their honor and giving them all cigars as gifts. Incoming Chairman Jay Casey convened his first meeting with his board to outline goals and to review the committee lists for the coming year.

On Thursday morning, Convention golfers walked next door to the Del Monte Golf Course for the Convention Golf Tournament. Sponsored by Pioneer, the golf tournament had more than 80 golfers participating. Members enjoyed beautiful Monterey weather while socializing with old and new colleagues. TransGuard Insurance Company of America gave members the opportunity to win big at the tournament by sponsoring a $10,000 hole-in-one contest on the fourth hole.

In the evening, delegates attended the Exhibitors Welcome Reception, sponsored by New Haven Moving Equipment Corp. Movers browsed all the booths to see what this year’s exhibitors had to offer in products and services for the industry. As networking and socializing commenced, delegates enjoyed a wide selection of hors d’oeuvres and refreshments and a historical photo slideshow running in the background.

The Monterey Sunrise Breakfast, sponsored by Marathon Solutions Inc., was held on Friday morning. After breakfast, master of ceremonies Alan Freese of Miller Moving & Storage thanked all the delegates for attending the general business session and introduced CMSA Secretary/Treasurer Robert Fraser of Redwood Moving & Storage to start the proceedings with an invocation that included mentioning of American troops overseas and reviewing the CMSA members who passed in the previous 12 months. Freese then conducted the annual roll call of delegates and introduced the 2014 Convention keynote speaker Jim Mathis.

Jim Mathis of Reinvention Nation began his presentation with letting attendees know that he is all about provocation, not inspiration. “I’m here to make you itch and scratch,” Mathis said. He said that provocation will cause people to change for the better. Without provocation, it would be difficult to make the necessary changes to evolve in this economy. “The economy isn’t down; it’s different,” Mathis said. The economy is what it is and we cannot hope to change it, but we can modify our business strategies to adapt to the existing market environment and thrive where other businesses refused to change their business practices.

Mathis also discussed how marketing to existing customers is one of the best methods for increasing your bottom line. “Expand to your base customers … Go find more people like them,” Mathis preached. He explains that these are people who like what you do and they have continued to use your services because of how you execute their needs. To make them happy, businesses should cater to them and to explore other services that will retain them as loyal customers. These customers would refer your business to other like-minded customers and the customer base will continue to grow. “Get them more of what they love,” he said.

Following Mathis was longtime CMSA CARB expert Sean Edgar of CleanFleets.net to speak about current developments of CARB regulations. This year, Edgar explained the new relief exemptions and extensions that are available to moving companies, including the 5,000-mile exemption, work truck extension and hardship delay. He also warned attendees that roadside inspections are continuing and fines are being given out on a regular basis. Moving companies should make use of the relief amendments in the law as soon as they can.

Outgoing Chairman Welch was next to speak to delegates about his journey with CMSA President Steve Weitekamp across the state visiting moving companies and speaking at chapter meetings. He presented a photo slideshow to the audience of moving companies, Associate member companies and other events he attended that allowed him to appreciate the business and to gain an understanding of how other companies reinvent themselves to adapt to the current economy.

Next, CMSA President Steve Weitekamp discussed what the Association has done in the past year for its members. He talked about a moving forms presentation he developed to give moving companies a better understanding of how to properly fill out these forms for full compliance of the MAX 4 Tariff. He also discussed the Association’s hand in helping movers gain access to extensions and exemptions for CARB regulations. Weitekamp thanked his staff, the Associate members, Chairman Welch and CMSA Counsel Mark Hegarty for their support this year.

Weitekamp then asked the newly elected and re-elected Board members to come to the front to be sworn into office for their two-year terms. This year, the re-elected and newly elected Board members include: new CMSA Secretary/Treasurer Robert Fraser of Redwood Moving & Storage, Ken Armstrong of Ridgecrest Moving & Storage, William Arvidson of Sav On Moving & Storage, Vince Cardinale of Cardinale Moving & Storage Inc., Jesse Chabot of Golden West Moving Systems Inc., John Lance of NMS Moving Systems Inc., Mark Larson of Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc., Thomas McCarthy of McCarthy Transfer & Storage Inc., Brad Metzner of Jack & Jeff Transfer Co., Terry Pettigrew-Rolapp of Beverly Hills Transfer & Storage and the new Associate Board Representative Mark Hildreth of New Haven Moving Equipment Corp. Board members that are continuing on for another year include: CMSA Senior Chairman PJ Welch of Cardinal Van & Storage Co., CMSA Chairman Jay Casey of Casey Moving Systems, CMSA Vice Chairman Patrick Longo of Andy’s Transfer & Storage, Mark Andersen of Andersen Van & Storage, Karl Anderson of Anderson Bros. Movers, Sally Bolger of Grace Moving Company, Alan Freese of Miller Moving & Storage, Tim McCarthy of McCarthy Transfer & Storage Inc. and Maribeth Wolf of Golden Gate Moving & Storage Co.
           
Master of ceremonies and Outgoing Chairman Welch started the afternoon’s Friday Cannery Row Luncheon, sponsored by Paul Hanson Partners Specialty Insurance, by introducing the head table to attendees. Chuck Cole, president of Advocation Inc., was the first speaker of the luncheon to review the current tumultuous environment of the state legislature, including some illegal dealings involving some local representatives. Cole also introduced California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Legislative Liaison Nick Zanjani to discuss the CPUC’s focus on industry matters during the year. Following lunch, Welch invited attendees to the Military Affairs Breakout Session for an update on the DP3 program and other DOD initiatives that are taking place by International Association of Movers (IAM) President Terry Head and American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) Vice President of Military & Government Affairs Scott Michael.

The Military Breakout Session moderator, Tim McCarthy of McCarthy Transfer & Storage Inc., introduced Head and Michael to provide a summary of current policies and proposed rules that the military is considering. Then, McCarthy introduced delegates to this year’s military specialists: Dennis Doody of Blue Chip Moving & Storage Inc., Bruce Boyarko of Boyarko Law, Tim Helenthal of National Van Lines Inc., Steve Vockell of Suddath, Rick Mason of Total Military Management and Scott Michael of AMSA. Attendees visited with each military expert in 15-minute round-table discussions regarding specific military topics, such as Open Season, DP3 program, containerization and shuttle authorization. Refreshments served during the Military Breakout Session were sponsored by Albert Moving, National Van Lines Inc., Suddath and Total Military Management.
           
In the evening, attendees winded down from the day’s industry shop talk and mingled at the off-site dinner at the Del Monte Beach House. Beachcomber Kelley was turning out popular songs while attendees enjoyed a barbecue dinner and toasting of s’mores on the group bonfire. The dinner was sponsored by Kentucky Trailer, Casey Moving Systems, American Red Ball World Wide Movers, Arpin Van Lines Inc., Atlas Van Lines Inc., National Van Lines Inc., North American Van Lines, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Inc., UniGroup Inc. and Wheaton | Bekins. Shuttle transportation to the beach house and back to the hotel was sponsored by DEWITT Co./Royal Hawaiian Movers.
           
Saturday morning began with the Presidio Breakfast, sponsored by MoversSuite by EWS. Master of ceremonies Thomas McCarthy of McCarthy Transfer & Storage began the general business session by introducing Terry Pettigrew-Rolapp, the digital technology panel moderator, and asked all panelists to step onto the stage for their digital presentations. Each panelist showed a slideshow or demonstration of where the moving industry is heading and what products and services are available on the market today. The panelists were Mark Millian of Compumove, Ron Shea of Compusource, Amanda Setzer of Milburn Printing, Brian Ferguson and Joe Bippen of MobileMover, Allan Lamar of MoversSuite by EWS and Lynn Peterson of TechMate International.
           
Next, master of ceremonies McCarthy introduced Terry Head of IAM to address the current trends in international shipping. Head discussed how the economy’s flat growth is the new “normal.” Factors such as increasing government taxes and cuts in government spending have caused the economic growth to again flatline last year, which also affects the housing market. Head also explained that the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, China and Switzerland are rated the top five popular relocation destinations.
           
Following Head, the van line panel moderator Brian Larson of Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. stepped on stage and introduced this year’s panelists as they found their seats onstage. The panelists were Katrina Blackwell of American Red Ball World Wide Movers, Matthew Dolan of Arpin Van Lines Inc., Jeff Schimmel of Atlas Van Lines Inc., Tim Helenthal of National Van Lines Inc., Dan Robertson of North American Van Lines, Morrie Stevens Jr. of Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Inc., Pat Larch of UniGroup Inc. and Stephen Burns of Wheaton | Bekins. The panelists shared their thoughts on hot industry topics, including but not limited to: 2013 industry trends, strategies behind consolidation, containerization of small shipments, internet marketing and national healthcare laws.
           
In the afternoon, delegates attended the Big Sur Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Champion Risk & Insurance Services L.P. and Vanliner Insurance Company. Master of ceremonies and CMSA Secretary/Treasurer Robert Fraser of Redwood Moving & Storage introduced the head table to the delegates and invited Special Olympics athlete Shane Baker and Special Olympics coach Frank Jarman to the stage to speak about the organization. Too shy to speak in front of the crowd, Baker motioned for Jarman to speak on his behalf. Jarman thanked delegates for inviting him and Baker to the luncheon and for the generous $5,000 donation to the Northern California Special Olympics. CMSA President Weitekamp announced this year’s college and vocational scholarship recipients, which includes the renewal of the Patricia Andrews Memorial Scholarship and an extra $2,000 scholarship generously donated by the 2013–2014 CMSA Welch Board of Directors. College-bound students who attended the luncheon walked on stage to thank the membership for their award and spoke about their goals for the future.
           
During the luncheon, the 12 CMSA Chapter Presidents were also recognized and awarded certificates for their leadership and support of the Association. San Diego Chapter President RaeDeane VanMeter of Republic Van & Storage was awarded the Chapter of the Year award on the chapter’s behalf. VanMeter thanked the Mover members and the Associate members who came to the meetings and helped out at the annual chapter golf tournament. The San Diego Chapter donated $20,000 to the Scholarship Fund and $500 to the Special Olympics this year.
           
CMSA President Weitekamp also recognized and presented plaques to retiring Board members Rick Hosea of Crown Worldwide Moving & Storage, Nat Prassel of Atlas Transfer & Storage Co., Ben Geissel of Galbraith Van & Storage Co., Sharon Hildreth of Chipman Relocations and Jeff Nadeau of DEWITT Co./Royal Hawaiian Movers. Plaques were also given to retiring industry executives Richard Curry of Gateways International Inc. and Dan Robertson of North American Van Lines for their service.
           
Ending the Convention on a high note is the Chairman's Reception and Dinner/Ball, sponsored by CDS Moving Equipment Inc. Master of ceremonies and CMSA Vice Chairman Patrick Longo of Andy’s Transfer & Storage announced Jay Casey as the incoming CMSA Chairman. Casey was escorted into the ballroom by former CMSA Chairmen while attendees clapped and waved their napkins. CMSA President Weitekamp then presented Outgoing Chairman Welch his honorary lifetime membership and Chairman's gift for his duty and service to the Association. Welch thanked Weitekamp, CMSA staff and his family for their support during his many travels across the state.
           
Longo then asked Jay Casey’s father and 1998–1999 CMSA Chairman James Casey to say a few words about the Association’s new Chairman. James Casey spoke about how this year’s theme “The New Digital Frontier” fits perfectly with his son’s advocacy for new technology. At the company, Jay Casey has always gravitated toward new digital technologies and tries to incorporate it into the family business. Proud of his son’s achievement, he introduces the membership to his son and new CMSA Chairman.
           
Jay Casey thanked his parents for their support for his new role in CMSA and for everything that they do for the family business. He also thanked his UniGroup colleagues for attending the event in his honor. Jay Casey thanked CMSA Chairman Welch for his leadership and for previous CMSA Chairmen and Association leaders who have shaped the organization to what it is today. He believes that the Association has done great things and that we need to keep the momentum going. Delegates celebrated the new Chairman’s installation by dancing to the Steve Ezzo Band.
           
Thank you to all attendees who made this Convention week one to remember! We ask you to join us next year for the 97th Annual CMSA Convention April 28–May 3 at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in sunny San Diego, Calif.

2014–2015 Chairman Jay Casey Installed at CMSA Convention in Monterey

- CMSA Communicator