CG Moving’s full recap of the 101st CMSA Convention held in San Diego, April 23-27, 2019.
Thursday and Friday: Arrivals, Receptions, and the Opening Sessions
CG Moving served as MC at the 2019 CMSA convention, introducing the keynote and industry leaders.
What an incredible time we had at the 101st California Moving and Storage Association Convention in San Diego. The convention was held at the Paradise Point Resort from Tuesday, April 23, through Saturday, April 27. In attendance were delegates from all twelve chapters, industry partners and representatives, mover and associate members, and for the first time in recent history, regulators. If you are short on time, skip ahead to the Chapter of the Year section.
We joined the convention on Thursday and attended the Exhibitors Welcome Reception, sponsored by New Haven Moving Equipment Corp. It was a good chance to catch up with vendors and fellow movers.
On Friday we attended breakfast, sponsored by Victory Packaging. Word has it that John Kay was up early making sure the potatoes and eggs came out just right.
Olga Garcia and I had the honor of serving as Master of Ceremonies. We introduced industry legend Joe Hammer of California Relocation Services, as well as Jesse Chabot of Golden West Moving Systems, who led the invocation and the memorial.
Our keynote speaker was “Antarctic Mike,” a well-known inspirational speaker who talked about his experiences, challenges, and accomplishments in sport and in life. In January 2006, Mike became one of nine people to have run a marathon on the Antarctic continent. Eleven months later, he returned to complete the Antarctic Ultra Marathon, a 100km race, becoming the first American to finish it.
President Steve Weitekamp introduced the association’s new logo. The previous year marked the CMSA’s 100th anniversary, and with it came a redesign that honored the history of the association while bringing a more modern feel. A new line showing the inception year now appears at the bottom of the logo. Outgoing chairman Alan Freese of Peninsula Moving & Storage shared photos from his year visiting chapters around the state. He reflected on time on the road with Steve, and revealed the CMSA Sexiest Man of 2018, who made a memorable appearance later at the Beach Party.
The Regulatory Panel: BHGS and the California Moving Industry
For the first time, the BHGS regulatory panel joined the CMSA convention to discuss licensing.
One of the most notable moments of this convention was a regulatory panel from the Bureau of Household Goods & Services (BHGS). Bureau Chief Nicholas Oliver, along with a group of regulators, shared information on the transition from the CPUC to the DCA. We are glad to see the agency cracking down on unlicensed movers and working to protect consumers. We also commend the CMSA for building this relationship with the agency that oversees licensing of household goods movers in California, and for getting a seat at the table while policy is still being written.
We enjoyed our time in front of the general session and want to give a special shout out to Suddath.
The Beach Party and Saturday Sessions
The Beach Party and Saturday sessions covered DOD changes, philanthropy, and Van Lines Q&A.
Friday evening was the Beach Party Dinner. Beach balls, pinatas, and a photo booth made for a great night. A52 Signs in San Francisco donated life-size cutouts of Jay Casey and Steve Weitekamp to welcome guests at the door. The event also raised additional funds for our chapter’s scholarship and charity contribution. A special mention to Matt Connell, CEO of Total Military Management (TMM), and his crew, who arrived in flamingo-themed suits and made the highest single donation of the night to take pictures with the cutouts.
Saturday breakfast was sponsored by Lambert Enterprises. It is always a pleasure to see Jeanette Homan of Lambert Transfer & Storage at these events. During the general business session, we heard from Charles White, President of the International Association of Movers (IAM). He raised the subject of recent changes to DOD household goods outsourcing to the worldwide moving market. Whether your work is local, commercial, or interstate, the ongoing changes to military household goods contracts will affect the broader industry. Staying informed and active matters.
The Van Lines also held their session. This year the format included more in-session Q&A on top of pre-submitted questions. The conversations covered technology, labor, consumer reviews, and how to attract more drivers to the profession.
Scholarships, Special Olympics, and the St. Jude Donation
The association awarded $81,000 in scholarships and donated over $12,000 to St. Jude’s Hospital.
Saturday’s Excellence Awards Luncheon was sponsored by TMM. A Special Olympics representative and athlete took the stage, and her words have stayed with many of us: “Thank you for helping me be the best me.” Her courage, discipline, and appreciation were clear to everyone in the room.
Outgoing chairman Alan Freese presented a check to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The association contributed $5,000, and Alan created a GoFundMe to raise more. The total reached around $9,500, and Rick Bruns of Victory Packaging pushed it past $12,000. A well-deserved result. The St. Jude representative also shared encouraging news from their research: a gene therapy cure had been found for the disease known as “Bubble Boy,” a life-threatening genetic disorder that kills young patients if left untreated.
The scholarship ceremony is one of the most meaningful parts of Saturday. Students are recognized one by one, and those able to attend share a few words. The months of chapter-level planning take shape right there in that room. Last year the association awarded $100,000 in scholarships to mark the 100th convention. This year, the Board awarded $81,000, including vocational education scholarships.
Each of the twelve chapters is also recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation for the chapter president, and each chapter presents its donation to the scholarship and charity fund.
Chapter of the Year: Two Years Running
CG Moving’s Northern Region won Chapter of the Year for the second consecutive year in 2019.
What came next will stay with us. Olga Garcia and I received something we did not see coming: for the second consecutive year, our chapter was named Chapter of the Year. We work hard on every event: the Summer Kick Off Whiskey Tasting, Tech Ed for Movers at Dominic’s at Oyster Point, the Pear Bistro Dinner in Pinole with Steve Weitekamp and Alan Freese, the Annual Crab Feed at the Colma Community Center, dinner at Chez Marius French Bistro with Attorney Conor J. Dale in San Francisco, and the Vendors Appreciation Night at the Historic Mac Hotel in Richmond. But none of it happens without the people who show up. If you have made it to one of our events, sent in an RSVP, or brought a raffle prize, thank you. Your support means everything, and we are honored to be of service to you and our chapter.
Olga Garcia and I were proud to present $7,350 to the CMSA. A shout out to Lulu’s Hauling, Dennis Jenkins, and Emily Thurston for donating bikes to our Annual Crab Feed; to J & S Paper for serving as our sole Crab Feed sponsor; and to Rocko’s Produce from South San Francisco and A52 Signs of San Francisco for their ongoing support and donations.
The Chairman's Ball and Looking Ahead
Incoming chairman Thomas McCarthy, a fourth-generation mover, took the gavel from Alan Freese.
The convention closes with the Chairman’s Reception, Dinner, and Ball, where the outgoing chairman passes the gavel to the incoming one. Alan Freese, thank you for everything. You are a gentleman, and your genuine love for this industry showed in everything you did. Thomas McCarthy, a fourth-generation mover, has now taken the highest seat. His family’s moving business, McCarthy Transfer & Storage, celebrated its 100th anniversary in February of this year. Thomas has driven the San Diego chapter’s golf tournament to remarkable results, including raising $25,000 for the scholarship and charity fund. When I asked him how, he said: “Reach out to everyone, even those outside the association.” We have done that, and we will keep doing so.
This convention reminds us every year why this community matters. It does not matter if your work covers local household goods, military moves, international relocations, commercial and office installations, hotel or hospitality setup, or short and long-term storage: everyone in that room is family. We are competitors, but we are also each other’s loudest supporters. When one of us wins, we all grow. As the changes to military household goods contracts continue to reshape the landscape, the people shaping policy will be the ones showing up, staying active, and making their voices heard.
None of the convention runs itself. The CMSA staff puts in enormous effort year after year, planning every session, every meal, and every seat. Thank you to Renee Hifume and Gale Iwashita for making it all happen.
If you attended the convention, I hope you have returned to work energized. If you did not, I hope this gives you a sense of what you missed. Mark your calendar for next year’s convention in Hawaii. See you on the move.
