We're into the home stretch for 2015 as well as my term as President of this great Association. It has been a successful year of networking and social events as well as raising money for our scholarship fund. Professionally, I have been humbled at the opportunities that I have had, and I look forward to our elections next month where we will select the slate that will lead us on to new and even more exciting things in 2016.
November luncheon: Of elections and scholarships.
Our luncheon is going to be held next month on Tuesday, November 10th. We have no speakers lined up, instead attendees will be there for two very important things. First, the election of individuals to the Board for 2016. We have one announced candidate running for President and three individuals vying for two available elected positions. I hope all members are in attendance to vote, or you can download the ballot here and submit it to me by email by midnight, November 9th (the day before). Members in attendance will be able to hear from the candidates in person who are seeking your votes, and we hope you will participate in helping to select the people who will chart the course of the association next year.
Second, and equally as important, we will have our scholarship winner(s) present to receive their recognition and our financial contribution to their continuing education. We anticipate having the winners selected by next week and we will have a separate post and announcements notifying you of their names and posting their winning essay answers. Please make an effort to attend; it is a very special event. Again, click here to register.
December holiday luncheon: New venue, same great charity.
With thanks to outgoing IACAC board member Maureen Schmitt, our designated charity again for this year's luncheon will the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Attendees at the luncheon are asked to bring an unwrapped toy. This year's holiday luncheon will be held at Belvedere Events & Banquets on Tuesday, December 8th. Stay tuned for more announcements.
Because this luncheon is a fundraising opportunity for our charitable efforts, we are asking IACAC members for their generosity in providing items for us to raffle off. We have had a variety of great prizes in past years including airline tickets, Blackhawks game tickets, gift baskets, gift cards and many, many more things. Please get in touch with me with items that you would like to donate for this worthy cause; no donation is too small and we are grateful for your help.
We're developing posters for your offices.
At the most recent meeting of the Chicago Air Cargo Congestion Working Group, the carriers and their ground handlers highlighted two things that they believe contributes to congestion. The first is an incredibly high rate of rejections for dangerous goods shipments. When a hazmat shipment is refused, one trucking move turns into three as the cargo must be picked up, brought into compliance and then returned. By one carrier's estimate it adds more than an extra one hundred truck moves per day that could be avoided by having the cargo right to be accepted the first time around.
The second is when truckers are sent to recover cargo that a forwarder hasn't checked to make sure is:
- Customs cleared
- Fully paid (collect freight charges or terminal charges)
- Available
Working with the CCBFA, we are developing posters that we will distribute to our members that you can either print yourselves or we will print a limited number of and you can post in key areas to remind your staff. By doing our part, we can take steps to give every trucking visit to an airline for drop off or pick up the highest chance to succeed.
Membership renewals are coming.
As we approach the end of the year, it is a time to remind everyone that their membership renewals will be forthcoming for 2016. Individual memberships are $50, corporate memberships (allowing for up to two voting members) are $100 plus an extra $30/person. Keep watching your email or snail mail for those renewals.
Remember, we are focused on giving people and companies a voice and representation in and around the airport. Whether with TSA, Customs, IDOT or the airport itself, we want to work to make things smooth for everyone to focus on the job of moving cargo on behalf of their clients.