The OMNI conference last week, held at the stunningly beautiful Hermitage Hotel just a blue-chip's roll from Casino Square, has been described as one of the best ever by the delegates who took part.  Numbers were down a little on previous years but this was expected for such an exclusive event.  Business sessions included the economic wisdom of the Right Honorable Lord Lamont of Lerwick, the former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer who predicted a long slow recovery for the European economies; an insight into global economics by Dr. Warwick Knowles of Dun and Bradstreet; and a detailed look at Dun and Bradstreet's Risk Indicator from the company's Head of Scoring and Analytics, Mark Preston.   OMNI is considering using Dun & Bradstreet reports as a financial test for companies wishng to join OMNI for which additional financial information is required (e.g. if the company is not accredited to FAIM).  At the AGM that followed, the OMNI membership changed the rules of the organisation...

Friday 10 May was a big day for Bengt Jonsson of Alfa Quality Moving in Sweden.  Not only did he find out he had won the Paul Mason Trophy as the winner of the OMNI golf tournament squeezing in with 40 Stableford points one ahead of Bill Lloyd, but he became an OMNI Board member too representing the European Region.  

At the EuRA conference in Bucharest on 26 April 2013 Patrick Oman of Irish Relocation was announced as Presidernt elect to take over the presidency in June.  Patrick has been Vice President of EuRA for the last two years.  

From 1st May the Sultinate of Oman has moved its historic Thursday – Friday weekend to a Friday – Saturday weekend.  This is to help it  align more closely with other GCC countries who also observe Friday Saturday weekend. Information provided by:   Manoj Sharma, Writer Relocations Oman    

Largest survey of international mobility programmes finds growth in international assignment activity fuelled by “emerging markets\"The 2013 Global Mobility Survey, the largest annual analysis of international mobility programmes, reports that more businesses are decentralising global mobility operations and adopting more regional approaches to how they manage their mobility programmes. The study surveyed 1,273 companies across a range of industries in 70 countries and found more growth in mobility programmes managed from emerging markets compared to programmes managed from non-emerging markets.Further, the study found that three quarters of companies say that emerging markets are important to their mobility programme; one third go so far as to describe them as “very important.” Experts interviewed in conjunction with the report cite reasons for this trend including a changing marketplace, improved skillsets in emerging markets, economic challenges in the West, accelerated...

Armstrong Moving recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a company gathering at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.Dale Armstrong, Rod Speers and Derek Duffy hosted 140 people at this formal gala event. While the ice hockey museum is filled with memorabilia from Canada’s national sport, it was the pastry chef that was the star of the show! The impressive cake, shaped like a truck, was photographed more than the coveted Stanley Cup!

After several years in a variety of capacities, Sarah Beck, CRP, GMS, has become Account Manager at AIReS’ West Coast Regional Office (WCRO) in Huntington Beach, CA.  Sarah joined AIReS in 2005 as a Program Manager, with previous experience in residential property management and real estate. She took on the new role of Client Service Manager in 2008, working on transition and implementation of new business engagements and ongoing account management with corporate clients.  In 2010, Sarah relocated from AIReS’ Corporate Headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA to WCRO and assumed the role of Operations Manager. Throughout her career at AIReS she has been involved in several strategic operations initiatives and the development and roll out of new technology efficiencies.  “I truly view AIReS as my extended family and feel a sense of belonging,” she said. “I look forward to the WCRO office’s growth and success, to seeing each and every team member...

Santa Fe China has announced that James Gooding has been promoted to General Manager, China.  In his new role, James will be responsible for leading the relocation, moving and records management operations of Santa Fe China, which consists of 14 offices and over 600 team members.  James joined Santa Fe in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2001 as Corporate Services Manager.  In 2003, James was promoted to Business Development Manager of Santa Fe, China and soon after took up the role as Relocation Services Manager for the company’s rapidly growing relocation activities in Shanghai.  James became General Manager, Shanghai in 2004 and General Manager, Central and Southern China in 2008.  James will continue to operate out of Shanghai.. In a separate announcement Santa Fe has advised that Jamie Wong will be taking over new responsibilities as General Manager, Northern China where he will be responsible for offices in Beijing, Dalian, Qingdao and Tianjin.  The company says that Jamie’s experience,...