Industry Executives Gather to Share Important Industry Insights

Sunday, 29 March 2015

Executive leaders from four of the top household goods van lines participated in a special session at the Southeast Regional Relocation Conference (SRRC) in Deerfield Beach, FL. In keeping with the conference theme of March Madness, the “players” included, Bill Paxton, Chief Operating Officer, Paxton Van Lines (representing Atlas), Brent Snyder, CEO, Graebel Moving Services, Charles Morse, EVP, Ward North American, and Jesse Frandsen, Regional Sales Manager, Unigroup.

Bill Paxton provided insights on many regulatory and legislative issues and changes the moving industry is addressing in partnership with AMSA (American Moving & Storage Association) such as reduction in required paperwork for the consumer and corporate transferees; and steps being taken to preserve the important moving tax deduction that could negatively impact corporation’s move programs and costs, their transferees, and all consumers should this deduction cease to exist. Other topics the panelists discussed included additional regulations on drivers with respect to their total hours of work and driving which impact productivity and profitability, the changing landscape of demand for capacity, and how consumer space will impact capacity in the peak season. Other insights included the game changers that are paving the way for how corporations and relocation companies are re-positioning themselves to ensure their contracts balance sustainable pricing terms to meet operational commitments and demands. Unigroup provided an overview on the importance of global compliance for the corporate customer, assignee, and supplier partners including the significant investment in standards such as ISO, FIDI/FAIM, and compliance with FCPA (Foreign Corruption Practices Act).

Last but not least the program concluded with some leadership thoughts from Brent Snyder on a call to action in shifting our thinking to solving issues and how the industry must work collaboratively for new approaches, given the way our customers are doing business in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven environment. The session was moderated by Elaine Smythe, VP of Corporate Sales and Marketing for The Paxton Companies. Jill Knicely, Director of Business Development for Paxton attended and is on the Board of Directors for the SRRC/Southeast Regional Relocation Conference.

Stay tuned for our next event where Freddy Paxton, CMO will be a featured speaker at Worldwide ERC’s National Conference to be held May 6-8 in Las Vegas, Nevada on global compliance and risk mitigation for mobility managers!