What a wonderful evening we had at the California Moving and Storage Association-Northern Chapter first “Back in Person” event. We had a lively group of movers and vendors at the Agave Uptown restaurant in Oakland, California where chef Octavio Diaz took care of us as if we were family. We had deliciously fresh guacamole and chips, a choice of Chile Poblano, Enchiladas or tacos and Churros with ice cream. Agave Uptown’s bartenders and staff were so great to us, this is our second time hosting a CMSA event at Agave Uptown and we can’t wait to return.
The evening started with Ken Jordan, Owner and CEO of J & S Paper leading the pledge of allegiance. Then on the roll call, we greeted two new guests, member Dave Calhoun, President of Valley Relocations joined us for the first time. Potential future member Laura Engen, VP of Sales and BDM at PCS Relocation Services joined us to check us out! We also had Sam Triantis, Sales and Marketing Director with CompuMove Systems Corporation was visiting from So Cal and was able to attend the event. As it is our custom, we recognized the first person to register on our chapter’s website, Peter Pfeilsticker, General Manager, Bay Area for Ace Relocation Systems, Inc. In the past, we give out crazy hats for this honor, but in the age of Covid 19, Peter went home with a box of face masks and disinfecting wipes!
Next, we heard from John Chipman Jr. Executive Vice President of Chipman Relocation & Logistics. He talked briefly about the state of the industry.
We then heard from our association president Steve Weitekamp, who conducted a vote for the Association’s Board of Directors, and having no opposition, our friend Karl Anderson of Anderson Bros is set to serve two years. Karl could not join us, but we want him to know that Dave Calhoun took care of our chapter by not only buying a ton of raffle tickets, but winning lots of prizes!
With the support and generosity of our event sponsors, we were able to secure a Mariachi band. And since John Chipman Jr. has been serving as Chairman of the CMSA for two years, (the only time this has ever happened!) we had to book the only Mariachi band that has a harp in the entire Bay Area. Mariachi San Francisco surprised the guests and as it is the tradition when the “Mariachi Loco” song is played, John Chipman Jr. was asked to dance! We had restaurant patron, Lili Lopez, accompany John in the dancing.
https://video.wixstatic.com/video/7243d9_2b1690e0f44b4f7d970bfbf76dbe1afd/720p/mp4/file.mp4
We want to give a special shout out to Dennis Jenkins of Lulu’s Hauling for his generosity, he brought 18 bottles of wine for our raffle. That is a record!
Also, thanks to wonderful Gaylynn LaVenture, Household Manager at Valley Relocation for selling ALL, and I mean ALL the tickets. Your help and support do not go unnoticed, and we appreciate you!
Lastly, we want to thank our Mariachi sponsors, without your support, we would not have been able to have such a great evening of music, food, and networking!
We are finalizing the details for our next event, our chapter’s holiday dinner! Pending approval from CMSA office, save the date! Friday December 10th, 2021 at Dominic’s at Oyster’s Point in South San Francisco, California. And although we can’t promise live entertainment or all you can eat crab, you will have a delicious three course meal, cash bar and all your friends of the CMSA Northern Chapter. More details later.
Want to be part of our next event? Check out the CMSA for membership application and look at our chapter’s website for upcoming events.
Event Sponsors! Support those who support us!
And check us out on this ABC 7 News Bay Area Instagram post:
Casey Myers of Champion Risk & Insurance Services
Charlie Gonzalez of CG Moving Co
Mitch Snelson & Andy Smith of CDS Moving Equipment
Jeff Nadeau of Dewitt Move Worldwide
Pedro Hermosillo of Pedro’s Moving Services
John Kay of Victory Packaging
Dustin Ullmer of J & S Paper
