Presidents Message

To the IAM membership around the world,

I would first like to extend a warm greeting and my personal invitation to all of you to attend the associations 47th Annual Meeting. As a milestone, this will be our 1st meeting as the International Association of Movers, which will be hosted at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, this October 10-13, drawing an anticipated 1,700 attendees, from over 170 countries across the globe.

The staff and I are truly excited about the opportunities that we are offering our members this year. We understand the annual meeting is of vital importance to your company and its success. This year we asked for your feedback through the association recent "member needs survey." The results were clear...networking is the #1 reason why you choose to attend the annual meeting. I think we have designed a program that will allow you to more effectively network with your fellow members. You have also indicated the need for additional resources, education and information to further your industry knowledge, as well as, its current state of affairs.

Some important highlights and additions to this years agenda include:

1. Increasing networking opportunities by opening the exhibit hall on October 10, one day earlier then in previous years.
2. We shall be hosting several education sessions in our new "knowledge lab," located in the exhibit hall. You will hear from a variety of leaders and experts within in the industry on topics such as:
   1. The IAM Receivable Protection Plan
   2. The new US Customs and Border Protection - 10 + 2 program
   3. Updates and Actions on the Department of Defense moving program and DPS system
   4. And participate in discussions on best practices that impact you and how you can maintain and grow your business in the current economic environment.
3. For the 1st time, we are inviting not only our "new members" but also our first time attendees to a special Kick-off Reception. This is a great opportunity for our new members to network with each other and the leadership of the association.
4. We also recognize the importance of our younger membership. Prior to the Opening Reception, we will be hosting a new YP-35 members only reception. This will allow our younger members to get to know each other and develop new relationships right at the beginning of the meeting.

Lasts years conference had a major impact on our association - we changed our name. Currently, the IAM leadership is looking into to possible reclassifications and restructuring of our membership categories, to allow greater participation in governance and programs from all membership levels. Hopefully, by the time of the annual meeting, we will have new By-Law revisions for the membership to consider and approve in Orlando.

I would like to take this opportunity to advise the membership that Alan F. Wohlstetter, a founding member and the associations General Counsel for 47 years, will be retiring at the end of this year. The 47th Annual Meeting will mark Alan's last official event with us and we will be recognizing him for his many years of outstanding service. I invite you to share this historic occasion and join with me in sending our beloved founder off with our best wishes for his well deserved retirement.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing everyone in Florida and wish you all safe travels.

Terry R. Head, President

International Association of Movers