Hello, everyone, and thanks for taking a moment to stop and read this letter.
As summer approaches and we look to warmer weather and more time outdoors, I'd like to take a moment to look back on May and look forward to what changes are coming to your Association this summer and into the fall.
IACAC Affinity Partners: We're looking for some.
The board has discussed additional ways that we can deliver value to our members, and we are looking for partners to pioneer a vendor affinity program. We've been fortunate to have the support of companies in the past, and we would really like to make a push for this over the summer months.
If you are a company who does business with air cargo companies and provides goods or services, we would love to talk. We would create a custom URL to your company's site that is only accessible via the members-only section of our site, insuring that only our members can take advantage of those partnerships.
In exchange, we are willing to provide additional promotional consideration and opportunities through our social network channels, communication and on our site.
If you are interested reaching a growing and vibrant industry, please contact us at info@iacac.com for more information.
IACAC Luncheons: Past and future.
First, our thanks to the Chicago Department of Aviation and their Assistant Commissioner Frank Grimaldi, Jr., for coming and speaking to us in May. As anyone who has to drive around the airport for a living knows firsthand, it's a mess out there right now and we'd love to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even if we need to know that it's months or years off before we see it. There's no question that Chicago is focused on growth, and it is an exciting time to be in the industry.
In June, we're doing our first networking luncheon in a long time. Some have put the number five years in the air, and I will defer to those who have been around longer that the number is close to accurate. Registration is open for the event, visit https://iacac.com/event-registration/?ee=22 to sign up.
Traditionally we take off the months of July and August. There are no scheduled events for July, and August is when we have our annual golf outing on August 12th. Registration is also open for that at https://iacac.com/event-registration/?ee=21. We're looking for golfers and sponsors and both will have a great day at a tremendous course, Bridges of Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates. There will also be raffles with prizes for the winners and proceeds benefit the Dennis J. Speck Scholarship Fund. Watch this space and our other communication because details and requirements will be announced over the summer.
When we get back to luncheons in the fall, we're planning a panel discussion in September (our tentative vision is a panel of Middle Eastern carriers since right now we have two carriers flying to ORD with a third beginning in August), Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association is slated to speak in October, November is our general business meeting and December is the holiday reception. When you summarize the balance of a year in one sentence, it makes you realize just how quickly time passes.
Starting in September, as we announced last month and will keep reminding people, luncheon pricing will change. It will be $25.00 for members who register in advance and $30.00 for non-members and those who show up without an RSVP (including members). You can pay in advance by credit card, or by check or cash on the day of the luncheon at the announced price. Paying by credit card the day of, however, will continue to require payment of a $2.00 surcharge to offset the card processing fees.
Chicago as a hub.
This week, Customs and Border Protection in Chicago held their Trade Day and I was talking with someone who had a long conversation with a CBP chief about Chicago's importance as a global hub. I was reminded that from Chicago, carriers reach us in one flight from Asia, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Thinking about us in the context of a transshipment hub (when Chicago is really thought of us a destination that feeds the Midwest marketplace), completely changes the logic behind what Chicago means. Imagine, sixteen hours from Hong Kong, change carriers and the next morning, you're in a South American market. The possibilities are amazing.