News

President’s Letter – May, 2014.

Posted on | by Brian Bartolotta, President

Greetings, everyone.

It finally looks like Spring has arrived in Chicago, and none too soon.  Last week according to a local meteorologist, Chicago saw three and a half total hours of sunshine during the work week.  It certainly explains my funk.

Things continue to progress with your Association.  We are proud to announce that we are nearly ninety members strong (including both companies and individuals).  As a board, we realize that people are willing to take their time and dollars to be members because of value that they feel they receive.  We are continually working to deliver that and are exploring benefits or savings with vendors who provide service to the air cargo community and we will proudly share those when they are finalized.

We want to offer you more benefits and savings than you pay in dues.  These benefits can be educational opportunities, savings on training, services or products for your business or any combination of the two.  We want to make it a no-brainer that membership in IACAC rewards you and your companies many times over.

Change in luncheon pricing starting in September.

Thank you to everyone who attends our luncheons.  As we focus on finding guest speakers that you want to hear from (last month with Linda Dreiffen from American, this month with Frank Grimaldi, Jr. from the City's Department of Aviation), our attendance is on the rise.  We experience a lot of walk-in traffic on the day of the event which can wreak havoc if we don't have enough food ordered or a large enough space to accommodate everyone.

Beginning with our September luncheon, pricing will change in two ways.

  • We are introducing member and non-member pricing.  Members will continue to pay $25.00, non-member pricing will increase by $5.00 to $30.00.  The best part is that if you join IACAC at the luncheon, you will be eligible to receive the member pricing.
  • With the new website, we have the opportunity to process payments and take RSVP's online.  You will now have two payment options; pay in advance by credit card, or pay at the door with cash, check or credit card as you have in the past ($2 surcharge for day-of credit card payments).
  • If you do not RSVP online in advance of the event, members and non-members alike will pay $30.00.  Out of respect to the venue and for the courtesy of your fellow guests, we need to have a count.

Next month's luncheon - Networking Event - June 10th.

It has been a long time since we just had an opportunity for individuals to connect, so plan to speed-date with your industry peers at a networking luncheon.  We'll explore doing something simpler with the food so folks don't feel tied to a table, but we want airlines, truckers, warehouse operators, service providers all to connect with each other.

Golf Outing - August 12th - Calling all golfers and sponsors.

We are very excited that Jim Wilbrandt of Basic Enterprise is the Chair of our Golf Committee for this year's event.  He has a lot of exciting things planned, and we're looking for sponsors who have a chance to be in front of the group of air cargo professionals in the Chicago area.  2014 IACA Golf Outing Banner

Sponsorship opportunities exist for:

  • Holes
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Refreshments
  • Carts

If you are interested, contact Jim by email at jim@basicent.com.

ICAO agrees to prohibit lithium metal batteries on passenger flights.

Posted on | by Scott Case

With thanks to Brandon Fried and the Airforwarders Association, please find below a report about lithium metal batteries carried on aircraft.

Provided by the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council, a meeting took place in Montreal to seek harmony in the rules that ban bulk shipments of lithium metal batteries in the United States, but permit them internationally.Lithium Metal Battery

 

The DGP agreed to adopt a prohibition of lithium metal batteries carried as cargo on passenger aircraft, but this does not include:

  • those packed with or contained in equipment, or
  • those carried by passengers in the cabin of the aircraft.

The report of the meeting should be available on the ICAO website sometime this week.  This decision is expected to be approved by the DGP's parent committee, the Air Navigation  Commission (ANC) at its scheduled meeting later this month.  Please note, the ANC may adopt the DGP's decision but has within its prerogative, the option of amending/extending it.  The actual text of the decision, including associated consequential amendments, can be expected towards the end of May.

Some key points to consider:

Will there be an approvals process, that is, will Special Provision A1 be applied?   The Panel voted to apply A1, but only by a simple majority and it was clear that this is one area where the ANC may adopt the stricter criteria of the Exemptions process.  My recommendation is that industry should look at the implications of these two options very carefully.

Second, the effective date was discussed, albeit very briefly.  Industry made the observation that this represents a substantial change and as yet no text of the requirements is available, therefore, a considerable transition period would be required.  As discussed, the effective date would be January 1, 2015, but this date could be moved up or pushed back depending on the discussion and decisions of the ANC.

Passing of Sue Kuzan

Posted on | by Scott Case

Me & SueWe are sad to share with you the news that Sue Kuzan, a licensed Customs broker and longtime member of the Chicago Customs brokerage community, passed away on April 9th of a heart attack at the age of 49.

Our condolences are extended to her and her family, especially her sister Sharon Roman of Quick Caller Directories who has been a long supporting member of the IACAC.

There will be a memorial service on April 26th from 9 AM - 1 PM at:

Oaks Funeral Home

1201 E. Irving Park Rd.

Itasca, IL  60143

The family has requested no flowers.

 

President’s Letter, April, 2014

Posted on | by Brian Bartolotta, President

Let me start off by welcoming our new members this month.  March was an exciting month for IACAC. Our March Madness event was a success (check out the gallery here) and I also want to thank everyone that attended.  Special thanks as well to our co-sponsors the Young Freight Forwarders of America for having a great turnout. We also recruited a new member at the event.

Another great event was our luncheon this month. We had Linda Dreiffin from American Airlines speak about the merger and how it will affect the forwarding community.  She also educated us on the new birds they will be flying and their capacity. We were also able to meet the entire sales team for ORD for both AA and US Airways.  I want to thank Linda and her entire group for participating and interacting with our members and making it a great experience.  We are currently working together with AA to possibly start tours of their facility to show new and current members what goes on behind the scenes.

I’m looking forward to getting the air cargo community more involved with all industry professionals and I do want to also take a moment and thank all the airlines that attended this event. We had over seven airlines in attendance including Singapore Airlines and IAG Cargo to name a few. Thank you so much to all the other airlines that attended as well. We as an organization are very grateful and hope to have your continued support in future events.

We will be having a luncheon in May. The speaker will be announced shortly. I hope to see everyone there.

Bridges of Poplar CreekMark your calendars for our annual golf outing which will be held August 12th at Bridges of Poplar Creek in Hoffmann Estates.  There will be an 08:00 shotgun start. Please make sure you register and sponsor a hole. We are looking forward to a record turnout.  Reach out to Jim Wilbrandt if you have any questions.  You will be able to register via our new site, which Position: Global has been doing a great job maintaining.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the next luncheon and hope to see many of you register early for the golf outing. Thank you for your support of IACAC and helping to continue to grow our membership and bringing back the voices of the airlines.

AirCargo 2014 Recap

Posted on | by Scott Case

The following summary of AirCargo 2014 is graciously provided by Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association.  Brandon is slated to be our October, 2014, luncheon speaker, and we welcome the leadership that he and AfA play for the air cargo community.

Over seven hundred industry professionals descended upon Orlando at the Marriott World Center for AirCargo 2014. The event has been called "The conference for the rest of us" as it features four major industry associations including the Airforwarders Association, the Express Delivery & Logistics Association, the Air & Expedited Motor Carrier Association and Airports Council-NA. These groups represent the backbone of key logistics providers: forwarders, truckers, air couriers and airport cargo managers. The conference theme was "Closing the Deal" and featured programming focused on increasing margins in the freight transportation industry.

AirCargo 2014 AttendeesThe event began with a women's networking event sponsored by Delta Airlines, and a keynote presentation from former American Airlines president Bill Boesch who provided a glimpse of air cargo's past and his predictions of the future. Boesch's presentation received a standing ovation after lots of questions and answers.  The event continued with panels on e-freight, cold chain management, sales prospecting, avoiding cargo theft, international airport cargo operations and a TSA government relations update.  The sold out exhibit hall featured 110 booths with all kinds of industry vendors and culminated with a fantastic final gala at the Fantasy of Flight Museum outside Orlando.
AirCargo 2015 is slated for March 1-3 in New Orleans.
Pictures of the event can be seen at this link.

Toys For Tots Thank You

Posted on | by Scott Case

Every December in conjunction with our Holiday Luncheon and Raffle, we ask attendees to bring a new unwrapped toy to contribute to the US Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.

We recently received a thank you from them and wanted to share the text.

Thanks to Maureen Schmitt of Mallory Alexander who coordinates this event every year.  It feels great to do something great for people.

______________

Dear Caring Friend,

Because your support has played such a significant role in previous Marine Toys for Tots Campaigns, I thought you might like to see just what we were able to accomplish this past year. With your kindness and generosity we were able to fulfill the Christmas dreams of nearly 7 million less fortunate children, who might otherwise have gone without.  Thanks to folks like you we distributed 16.8 million gifts to those children. I simply can’t thank you enough for your help.

Last year was unusually challenging.  Corporate donations were down and just as we were about to begin the program there was a sequestration of our budget and then the actual shut down of our government.   Despite that frustration and confusion; failure in our mission was simply not an option for the thousands of Marines and volunteers who conduct Toys for Tots Programs in over 760 communities throughout our nation. They rose to the occasion and helped millions of desperate Moms and Dads provide for the holiday needs and dreams of their children.

The dedication to our program of our Marines and volunteers is extraordinary, and so is yours. You played a significant role in our effort to provide deserving children  toys, books or other desired gifts for Christmas.  While we continue to fall short of reaching all of our nation’s less fortunate children, we did our best in 2013, and with your continued help, we hope to reach even more children this year.   After all, every child deserves a little Christmas and is worthy of a visit from Santa.

On behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and all the less fortunate families and children you’ve touched with your love and compassion, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Maybe you’re thinking I’m going to ask you for a donation…I’m not !  I simply wanted you to know that the support you provide Toys for Tots in the summer and fall makes a big difference in the lives of millions of less fortunate children and their desperate parents.  Have a great spring and summer and hopefully we’ll talk again in the fall.

Sincerely,

Bill Grein

Bill Grein

Major, USMC (Ret)
Vice President
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

Join IACAC and YFFA for our March Madness Networking Event

Posted on | by Brian Bartolotta, President

Who doesn't love a little college basketball? Behind the Superbowl, it's the second most heavily-wagered on event.  And this one has all the elements of randomness that makes it so excited. How does it usually turn out? The college hoops junkies watch their brackets get blown up by upsets and somebody who knows nothing about the sport winds up taking home the trophy.

Whether you're a bracketologist or not, we want you to join us the evening of March 20th from 6 - 9 PM for an event that we are co-sponsoring with the Young Freight Forwarders of America (YFFA).  It's at the Wyndham Gardens at 2550 Landmeier Rd. in Elk Grove Village.  We're providing the appetizers and it's a cash bar.

Click here to register.

Mingle and meet your fellow freight forwarders, warehouse operators, airline reps, truckers and make some new friends and business connections.

This event is in lieu of our monthly luncheon which will be on April 8th.  Watch this space because starting in April, we're going to allow people to register and pay on line in advance of arrival at the event.  Not that we don't like seeing you all and swiping your card through our Square dongle, but you'll now be able to pay in advance.

And if you're not a member of IACAC, join now for the low rate of $50 for individual memberships and $100 for a Corporate membership for up to two members.

President’s Letter, March, 2014

Posted on | by Brian Bartolotta, President

Hello IACAC membership,

Thank you to our existing members from 2013 who renewed their membership this year and welcome to our new members. As many people have learned over these first two months of 2014, IACAC is making changes in an attempt to alter the direction the organization was heading and return to our roots as an Association serving the needs of the air cargo community.

What we have done thus far is premiered a more interactive and current web site. The board selected Mr. Scott Case of Position : Global in January to create and maintain the new site. We launched the site at our February luncheon and have received nothing but positive feedback from the membership. If you had not had a chance to view the new site, please do so at www.iacac.com. We also welcome any feedback.

During our last luncheon, it was brought to our attention by the membership that some people were not happy with the discontinuing of The Pallet. I did want to clarify to why this was done. The Pallet was supposed to be a publication that dealt with timely information relevant to our industry and issues.  Over time and due to lack of focus on what was important to IACAC and its members, it became more of a cluster of advertising that wasn’t specifically about our industry's issues. What we have done after much consideration is to bring back The Pallet, but with more timely information and a narrowed scope. The Pallet will also include a monthly President’s letter which is also posted here on the site keeping the membership apprised of what the board has been discussing as well as any new changes that have been made.

My goal this year as President of IACAC is to bring back the core values and principles that this organization was founded on and increase membership and support from local airlines.  I’m looking forward to seeing new and old faces at our upcoming events. Our next event will be March Madness on March 20th at the Wyndham Garden Inn, 2550 Landmeier Rd., Elk Grove Village.  You can RSVP on our Facebook page.  I look forward to seeing each and every one of you there.

Former IACAC member Kevin Koerner passed away.

Posted on | by Scott Case

KJKoernerIt is with a heavy heart that we report on the passing of Kevin Koerner.  Kevin lost his battle with leukemia last Tuesday, February 11th. Kevin's industry career spanned many companies in Chicago, including Airport Distribution, SEKO, USF Holland, Concert Group Logistics and most recently RR Donnelly. His obituary has not yet been published, but we have been told that the details for his services are as follows:

Friday, February 28, from 4:00-8:00pm

Visitation and Reception

First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights

302 N. Dunton Avenue

Arlington Heights, IL 60004

 

Saturday, March 1, 10:30am

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection

First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights

302 N. Dunton Avenue

Arlington Heights, IL 60004

February Luncheon Meeting

Posted on | by Scott Case

Come out and see the new iacac.com unveiled at our monthly luncheon!

When: Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Where: Holiday Inn, 1000 Busse Rd., Elk Grove Village
When: 11:15 registration, 12:00 luncheon

Guest speaker: Scott Case, Founder and Chief Storyteller of Position : Global

Topic: Introducing the new IACAC.com website

Cost: $25.00, $2.00 surcharge if paying by credit card

Members and other interested parties are welcome to join us at our monthly luncheon where this month we will unveil the new iacac.com that is in development.

Your Association is planning a major revamp in our look and a concerted effort for outreach and engagement in 2014. It would be a pleasure to have you there in person to take part in the kickoff event.

You may RSVP by sending an email to mitch.estrada@ariesgl.com.

PLEASE RSVP. This helps our count for room size and food preparation.