The New Digital Frontier

This year, CMSA members will be prepared for “The New Digital Frontier” when they attend the 96th Annual CMSA Convention in Monterey, California! From April 29 through May 4, the Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa. This year’s theme will reflect the new technological changes being made with moving forms, digital storage, inventory programs and other products available on the market. In addition to the up-and-coming technological products this season, CMSA members will learn about moving trends and current business strategies that will help them this summer season.

The Convention begins with the CMSA’s Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon. In the evening, the Movers and Shakers Reception and Dinner — an invitation-only event — will be held for CMSA Board Members, Chapter Presidents and Committee Members. The Movers and Shakers Reception will be sponsored by Gateways International, Inc., and the dinner will be sponsored by TransGuard General Insurance Company of America. 

On Wednesday, the Insurance Committee, Government Affairs Committee, Membership Committee and Military Affairs Committee meetings will convene throughout the day. Following in the afternoon, the Association’s two Boards of Directors will also convene their meetings. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to sit-in during these meetings to learn about industry news and developments. The registration desk will be available in the nearby foyer for attendees to pick up their registration packets and event tickets. On Thursday morning, CMSA members will tee off at the Pioneer-sponsored golf tournament at the Del Monte course next door. The golf tournament will start with its shotgun at 9:00 a.m. with a $10,000 hole-in-one prize on the 14th hole, sponsored by TransGuard General Insurance Co. of America. The hotel’s Regency Grand Ballroom will be open 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. for exhibitors to set up their booths for the Thursday night Exhibitors Welcome Reception.

The ever-popular Exhibitors Welcome Reception, sponsored by New Haven Moving Equipment, allows moving company executives to network with suppliers while browsing products and services presented in exhibitors’ booths.  The Reception will have music and an ongoing CMSA photo slideshow as well as hors d’oeuvres and beverages offered throughout the night.

The Monterey Sunrise Breakfast, sponsored by Marathon Solutions, Inc., in the exhibit hall will begin the Friday events. After breakfast, the Friday General Business Session’s master of ceremonies Alan Freese will start by welcoming attendees to the Convention and performing the yearly roll call. Freese will then introduce this year’s motivational speaker, Jim Mathis of The Mathis Group, to the stage to give a presentation about rising above the economic turbulence with his business strategies.

Jim Mathis, the Reinvention Strategist, is a best-selling author of reinventing businesses. Mathis has been writing and speaking on his business strategies for more than 35 years. He will coach members on sales techniques, business targets and improved customer service.  

Next, CleanFleets.net Executive Director Sean Edgar will discuss the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation extensions and updates that are affecting intrastate and out-of-state moving companies who have business in California. Sean Edgar, a close ally of CMSA, continues to advise CMSA members at speaking engagements and seminars.

Following Edgar, CMSA Chairman PJ Welch of Cardinal Van & Storage Co. will share his experiences from the past year visiting chapters with CMSA President Steve Weitekamp and his takeaways from being involved in industry issues.

Finishing the Friday General Business Session, CMSA President Steve Weitekamp will review the Association’s triumphs in 2013, including the recent finalization of the electronic transmission of moving document forms. He will also introduce the new 2014-2015 CMSA Board of Directors to the membership and swear these leaders into office.

The Cannery Row Luncheon, sponsored by Paul Hanson Partners, will follow the morning business session.  Our luncheon speaker will be the American Moving & Storage Association’s (AMSA) President and CEO Linda Bauer Darr, who will review the leading interstate industry news, issues and trends.

After lunch, the Military Affairs Breakout Session will start with the International Association of Movers (IAM) President Terry Head giving a short presentation about the DP3 program policies that have changed since last May. Then, the Military Affairs Breakout Session will begin with the top military move experts informing delegates about capacity expectations in 2014. At the end of the panel discussion, attendees can ask panelists directly what questions they have regarding other aspects of the military relocation business.

Delegates can unwind with the Friday night’s off-site event at the Monterey Beach Party Dinner. A quick shuttle ride, sponsored by DEWITT Co./Royal Hawaiian Movers, will also be provided for attendees to leave from the hotel to the Monterey Beach Party location. There will be a catered barbecue dinner as well as indoor and outdoor activities scheduled for members to enjoy. The off-site event is sponsored by Kentucky Trailer, Casey Moving Systems, American Red Ball World Wide Movers, Arpin Van Lines, Inc., Atlas Van Lines, National Van Lines, North American Van Lines, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines, UniGroup, Inc. and Wheaton | Bekins.

The Presidio Breakfast, sponsored by MoversSuite by EWS, will begin the Saturday morning. At Saturday’s General Business Session, master of ceremonies Thomas McCarthy will introduce IAM’s Terry Head, who will present the 2013 migration trends of the international shipping market. There will also be a Digital Technology Panel that will cover what exciting products and services will be available for movers during the summer season.

CMSA will also host its annual Van Line Panel discussion with van line representatives giving their feedback of changes in the industry, in their companies and in customer needs in interstate moves. Besides the internal changes of improving agent-to-van line communication, van line executives will also inform attendees of what they expect their industry to head and how they are adapting to the rising threat of online rogue operators who undercut legitimate van line agents’ business. The audience will have a question-and-answer session with the panelists at the close of the discussion.

The Convention continues with the Big Sur Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Champion Risk & Insurance Services, L.P. and Vanliner Insurance Co. CMSA Chapter Presidents will be recognized and will receive a certificate of appreciation for their hard work in leading their chapters and for raising funds for the CMSA Scholarship fund and Special Olympics. Members will also see the benefits of the fundraising efforts with the 2014 CMSA Scholarship recipients who attend the event. Scholarship recipients will have a chance to thank the membership for the award and to say a few words about their career goals. This year, $55,000 in scholarships will be handed out to full-time students and $5,000 will be donated to the Northern California Special Olympics.

The 2014 Convention will culminate with the Saturday night Chairman’s Reception and Dinner/Ball, sponsored by CDS Moving Equipment. The 2014-2015 CMSA officers and significant others will be introduced to the membership along with Chairman-elect Jay Casey of Casey Moving Systems, who will be escorted by former CMSA Chairmen.

Senior Chairman PJ Welch of Cardinal Van & Storage Co. will receive the honorary CMSA lifetime membership and pass the gavel to the 2014-2015 Chairman Jay Casey. In celebration of the newly installed Chairman, delegates will dance to the music by the Steve Ezzo Band.

Don’t be left behind! Join us in “The New Digital Frontier” at the 96th Annual CMSA Convention! Full registrations that are paid by February 28 will be entered in a $50 cash raffle!  Register today by calling the CMSA office at (562) 865-2900 or visit the convention kiosk on the CMSA website. Be sure to make your room reservations early. The hotel is expected to fill up quickly.

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The New Digital Frontier

- CMSA Communicator