Mover’s Edge, November, 2011

A Social-Media World — The New Business Reality

CAM’S 2011 Annual Conference will address issues and challenges facing movers as social media becomes the prevalent way in which consumers want to receive their communications. Join us November 13–15, 2011, in Toronto.

You have the conference flyer or you can find it on the web (pdf).

IT'S TIME TO REGISTER!

CAM’s 2011 Awards

CAM will celebrate its 11th Annual Awards Dinner on Monday, November 14. This year we will be honouring:

• Howard Bigham – Distinguished Service Award
• Dennis Doehl – Industry Achievement Award
• Dale Goldhawk – Public Service Award

Join us for an evening in which members of the moving industry celebrate the achievements of two prominent members of our profession as well as an individual who has assisted consumers for many years in their search for reputable providers of moving services.

City of Toronto Licensing

The Toronto Police Service has presented a request to the City of Toronto’s Licensing and Standards Committee that a permit be required for movers operating within the city. The Police Service was represented by Sgt. Kevin Hooper and CAM was represented by Perry Thorne of Greg & Sons Moving and Storage and Chuck Resnick of Two Men and a Truck.

Committee members were very enthusiastic about the request that Sgt. Hooper presented. They voted unanimously to present the request to the Government of Ontario for approval. There are a number of issues that will have to be addressed in the process of developing the permit process:

• What standards will be required for movers to obtain a permit?
• What will be required from movers who are not resident in the city of Toronto?
• Who will enforce the permit regulations?
• What mechanisms will be in place to assist consumers?
• Should this be an Ontario-initiative?

These are issues that CAM will need to address in the near future and will need your input. As is often the case, this initiative could find itself on the agendas of other city councils across Canada.

Join us at the Annual General Meeting during the Annual Conference where we will discuss this matter and set CAM’s policy on permits for movers.

Winnipeg Moving Wins BBB Award

Winnipeg Moving & Storage has been awarded the Better Business Bureau’s prestigious Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics and Integrity for the second year in a row. Winnipeg Moving is the only moving company in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario to have received this award. The award is especially noteworthy because the BBB has expanded the scope of the “Home Services” awards category, thus increasing the competition for this award.

Bedbugs

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the problems caused by bedbugs. Michael Warnick of Westmount Moving in Kitchener represented CAM at a seminar on bedbugs hosted by the Public Health Department in Kitchener-Waterloo. Michael has written an article about the information he received. This includes:

• The nature of the problem including social issues
• How to detect bedbugs
• Training for sales staff and moving teams
• Practical solutions for their eradication
• Policy for moving companies when bedbugs are detected

The complete text of Michael’s article is posted (pdf) for CAM members.

The Canadian Mover

By now you should have received your fall issue of The Canadian Mover, CAM’s member directory and magazine. You’ll find a conference flyer in the centre – be sure to check it out and then call us to register. If you haven’t received your copy, please let us know.

CAM Truck Decals

Decals for your trucks are now available for ordering. A sheet of two decals costs $5 including taxes and shipping. They are highly visible and are a great way to market your company as a CAM Certified mover. The decal sheet is letter size.

     

IF YOU HAVE NEWS THAT CANADA’S MOVING INDUSTRY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT, please let CAM know and we will include it in upcoming issues of this newsletter.