Opening General Session
Pushing Through the RED ZONES
Two-time Stanley Cup Champion and current hockey analyst for ESPN, Bill Clement has been an example of what it takes to be the best throughout his career, on and off the ice. The enemy of success is strongest during times of adversity, which Bill Clement calls Red Zones. Bill’s formula for disabling the enemy and creating a foundation of strength will arm you with the insights and the appetite to push through the Red Zones, turning adversity into ADVANTAGE.
Friday Morning Update from Industry Leaders
In these difficult economic times leadership is critical, and Worldwide ERC turns to several recognized leaders in the relocation industry for their insights into the current economic climate and what they envision for the year ahead.
Closing General Session
Tweet, Twitter, Blog: What’s It All About?
Pat Cleary is Senior VP of Digital Public Affairs at Fleishman-Hillard, where he helps corporations and associations drive their message through new media channels. Pat joined Fleishman in June of 2007 after 10 years at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). During his time there he held a number of senior policy, public affairs and communications posts. He started ShopFloor.org, a popular business blog, using new media to drive the NAM message. In his 25-years of experience, Pat has held also held a number of policy and communications assignments at the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Mediation Board, the latter of which he chaired. His areas of expertise include human resources issues, health care, economics and trade.
A Real Life Look at the RAC White Paper (RAC Trac)
Thursday, May 14
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This session is intended to educate corporate and relocation management company representatives regarding the serious ethical and legal dangers of making special appraisal requests such as "no forecasting" or "no market change adjustments." Potential legal problems associated with each type of special instruction as well suggested alternatives will be examined in depth.
Moderator:
Bradford E. Charnas, SCRP, GMS, SRA
President
Charnas Appraisal
Rocky River, Ohio
Participants:
Jay K. Delich, SCRP, SRA, IFA
President
Arizona Appraisal Team, LLC
Scottsdale, Arizona
James R. Gargano, Jr., CRP, IFAS
President
Bomba Gargano Valuation, Inc.
Naperville, Illinois
Robert E. Headrick, SCRP, SRA
President
Robert E. Headrick & Associates, Inc.
Naperville, Illinois
Military Relocation Allowances: From Here to There (Military Track)
Thursday, May 14
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Information related to uniformed services and DOD civilian employee travel and transportation allowances will be provided to attendees along with the regulatory references for the information. Questions on some non-travel allowances including Basic Allowance for Housing, (BAH); Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA); Cost of Living Allowance (overseas and continental US – COLA and CONUS COLA); and the Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) overseas. Discover where travel and transportation information can be found for civilian employees and uniformed service members.
Moderator:
Yvonne Ducker
Family Center Program Director
Presenter:
Bill Tirrell, Sr.
Branch Chief, Travel and Transportation Branch
Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee/DTM)
Arlington, Virginia
Real Estate Companies of the Future and Their Impact on the Relocation Industry
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Oh, the Thinks you can Think! There are so many Thinks that a Thinker can Think! Would you, could you, do you dare? Attend this session and hear from some of the most innovative broker/owners on what they are doing to re-invent the traditional brick and mortar office. Be prepared to brainstorm with your industry peers and discover how these trends will shape the future of the relocation industry.
Moderator:
Vicki Hamp, CRP, GMS
Regional Relocation Director
Long & Foster Corporate Real Estate Services
Chantilly, Virginia
Participants:
Linda Hawkins, SCRP, GMS
CEO/President
Winkelmann Realty
Fullerton, California
Ed Krafchow
President
Prudential California/Nevada/Texas Realty
Carmichael, California
Jill Silvas, SCRP
Vice President/Co-Owner
Morgan Lane
Sonoma, California
Managing Relocation Costs in Today’s Turbulent Economy
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In 2008, the U.S. officially fell into a recession. The decline in the real estate market, the soaring numbers of home foreclosures, the increase in the cost of goods and services and widespread unemployment have all taken a toll on employee mobility. Companies have been faced with higher costs of relocation, greater challenges in recruiting new talent and employee reluctance and refusal to move due to the economic crisis. This session will examine how several companies have been able to successfully manage relocation costs while balancing employee mobility in a real estate market that continues to suffer. Participants will examine the various program structures and policy designs that impact overall costs as well as the role that process management can play in effective cost performance.
Moderator:
Kathy Morris
Vice President Global Consulting
Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services
Shelton, Connecticut
What Is Taking So Long? Navigating Through the Communication Structures of Your Relocation Partners
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
From the Realtor® negotiating a contract, to the relocation management company, and ultimately to the corporation, each partner holds a critical component in fulfilling the transferring employee’s expectations. This session will shed light on the communication structures that have traditionally caused relocation professionals to wonder why they are still waiting for direction on critical and time sensitive challenges. During this session you’ll learn how to best navigate through the communication structures of the partners you rely on to effectively manage your responsibilities in the relocation process.
Moderator:
Laurie J. Steinemer, CRP, GMS
Relocation Manager
Time Warner Cable
Charlotte, North Carolina
Participants:
Lori L. Hartman, CRP, GMS
Vice President, Client Relations
Altair Global Relocation
Dallas, Texas
Pandra Richie, SCRP, GMS
Vice President, Relocation
Long & Foster Corporate Real Estate Services Division
Chantilly, Virginia
Donald G. Young, GMS
Director, Talent Acquisition
Tesoro Companies, Inc.
San Antonio, Texas
The Long and Winding Road: 2009 Relocation Mortgage Update
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Participate in a current and topical discussion of the mortgage industry and how it impacts the relocating employee. Panelists will cover factors impacting qualifying for a loan, programs currently available and unavailable and what it takes to get a loan today. Discover the intricacies of credit markets, underwriting, current laws and regulations, foreclosures and REOs.
Moderator:
Richard H. Klein, CRP, GMS
Director Sales and Account Management
Cartus Home Loans
San Ramon, California
Participants:
Joseph A. Grimes III
Vice President, Credit Risk and Management
Fannie Mae
Pasadena, California
Paul Klemme, CRP
President
SIRVA Mortgage
Independence, Ohio
Steve Reger
Director, Consumer Solutions & Fraud Victim Assistance
TransUnion
Fullerton, California
Unique Solutions through Procurement Partnerships
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Learn various strategies to effectively collaborate with procurement and HR Mobility departments within an organization for the selection of global mobility services. Develop an understanding of total spend vs. controllable costs and discover how to evaluate both direct and indirect costs. Gather information on the performance metrics in the RFP vendor selection process and identify which policy and program baseline trend information should be included in your provider contract terms.
Moderator:
Bernadette Phillips-Garcia, GMS
Senior Manager, Global Mobility
General Dynamics C4 Systems
Scottsdale, Arizona
Participants:
Stephen C. McGarry, SCRP
Director, Global Mobility
WPP
New York, New York
Bet J. Mansfield, SCRP
President
Mansfield & Mansfield
Gainesville, Virginia
Heather Sheira, CRP
Mobility Services Manager
Edwards Lifesciences LLC
Irvine, California
Mickey Williams, SCRP
President & CEO
Capital Relocation Services
Sterling, Virginia
Through the Eyes of Your Relocation Professionals (RAC Trac)
Thursday, May 14
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
This session will explore the differences between the Worldwide ERC® Summary Appraisal Report, the Worldwide ERC® Broker’s Market Analysis and Strategy Report (BMA) and the Worldwide ERC® Property Assessment Form. It will highlight through video-taped case study of a single property how experts in their respective fields view the property. It will explore how the different professionals provide their reports on the properties, where the similarities and differences are, and how each of these individuals represent the corporate client.
Moderator:
Robert A. Portale, CRP, GMS
President/CEO
RELO Direct®, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Participants:
Alvin “Chip” Wagner, III, SCRP, IFA, SRA
President
A. L. Wagner Appraisal Group, Inc.
Naperville, Illinois
Barbara Kay Springer, CRP, GMS
Senior Vice President Business Development
Prudential Preferred Properties
Chicago, Illinois
Mike G. Wagner, CRP
President
RAL Inspection Services
Westfield, Indiana
Solutions for Helping Military Personnel Survive the Mortgage Meltdown (Military Track)
Thursday, May 14
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
The current mortgage market has deeply affected those service members who are in the housing market as well as those who are first time homebuyers and looking to get in the market. It is also affecting those who have not yet developed a credit score. In this session, you will learn from the mortgage experts what you need to know to counsel military personnel as you seek to assist them through the mortgage maze. During this session you will learn current mortgage industry trend information, changes to the VA mortgage program and mortgage options still available to the military consumer. Discover how to increase home ownership rates in the military community and identify ideas and best practices for providing educational tools about buying and owning a home.
Moderator:
David E. Gibbons, CRP
Marketing Director
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Participants:
Dennis R. Geist
Vice President, Government Programs/Diverse Segments
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
San Diego, California
Representative
Department of Veterans Affairs
Worldwide ERC® U.S. Relocation Tax and Legal Update
Thursday, May 14
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Join Worldwide ERC®’s Tax and Legal experts as they explore the latest regulatory issues affecting the relocation industry. Always the most highly valued session at the Conference, this is one program you do not want to miss!
Participants:
Richard Mansfield, III
Worldwide ERC® General Counsel
Mansfield and Mansfield
Gainesville, Virginia
Peter K. Scott
Worldwide ERC® Tax Counsel
Peter K. Scott Associates
McLean, Virginia
A Collaborative Approach to Selling Inventory Properties
Thursday, May 14
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
In a declining market, will an inventory property sell in 180 to 240 days for the same value it holds today or will the property value decline? Numbers speak louder than words. Discover new arguments for using a quantitative formula to demonstrate the impact of chasing a declining market with an over priced property. Identify techniques for a collaborative approach to moving inventory properties at their peak value. Leave this session with a plan to align the agendas of the corporation, relocation company, appraisers and real estate professionals to sell inventory properties saving time, energy and money.
Moderator:
Susan Rabinovitch, CRP
Vice President Relocation Business Development
Prudential Connecticut Realty Relocation
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Participants:
Sue Carey, CRP, GMS
Vice President, Relocation
Century 21 Kreuser & Seiler, Ltd.
Libertyville, Illinois
Stephen G. Crispin, CRP, GMS
Director of Global Business Alliances
Paragon Global Resources Inc.
Irving, Texas
Craig Gilbert, CRP, SRA
Craig Gilbert Appraisals
Huntington Beach, California
Stefanie R. Schreck, CRP, GMS
Manager, Corporate Relocation
American International Group, Inc.
New York, New York
Exploring Government Relocation Homesale Options
Thursday, May 14
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
This session will explore the various relocation home sale options available to federal civilian agencies. Explore GSA Schedule 48 Options 1-4, independently procured relocation services and GSA initiatives implemented as a result of the current real estate, mortgage and financial market conditions. Discover how program policies and SOW requirements can impact your government relocation programs in a positive way.
Moderator:
Thomas F. Higgins
Vice President Sales, Government Relocation Services
SIRVA Relocation
Bethesda, Maryland
Participants:
Tauna T. Delmonico
Director, Center for Transportation Management
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Arlington, Virginia
David F. Gage, SCRP
Chief, National Relocation Program Office
Department of Defense U.S.A.C.E.
Baltimore, Maryland
Rod Ulrich
Chief
Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons
Annapolis Junction, Maryland
Playing the Benefit Game: The Strategic Use of GBO, BVO and Loss on Sale in Relocation Policies
Thursday, May 14
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
What does it all mean? This session will help you understand how BVO, GBO, Loss on Sale and Loss on Equity impact and interact with multiple levels of your policy. Discover the pros and cons of each policy approach, including tax implications and impact to policy. Determine how to make decisions regarding the least cost approach and understand what it means to the corporation and the transferee. You will come away with best practices in process and policy creation.
Moderator:
Ron Labin, CRP, GMS
Vice President, Global Business Development
Cornerstone Relocation Group
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Participants:
Angela Sanita-Soto, CRP
Manager, Relocation & Expatriation
Saint Gobain Corporation
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Diane Lenhard Kelts
Recruitment Operations Partner
AstraZeneca
Wilmington, Delaware
Johnny Haines, CRP, GMS
Senior Manager, Relocation Services
Deloitte
Wilton, Connecticut
AHRN.com - The Government Can Help You Find Housing
Thursday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Experience an overview of the Automated Housing Referral Network, a website for relocating military families to find and secure available, adequate, and affordable rental housing at their new assignment location. Discover its history, current coverage across military bases in the CONUS, and statistics on usage. Understand the deployment of AHRN across the remaining CONUS bases and what future system enhancements are on the drawing board. A demonstration of the system will be included.
Participants:
David J. Aguirre
Housing Management Specialist
U.S. Navy (Military Welcome Center, San Diego)
San Diego, California
Larry Fredrich
Director, Government Services
Runzheimer International
Rochester, Wisconsin
Is Green the New Gold?
Thursday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
It’s counterintuitive - but going green may well be the new gold. As consumers look to live in economically sustainable homes and as businesses strive to cut operating costs, delivering green solutions will be a bright spot for the economy and our industry. According to a 2008 McGraw-Hill survey, 70% of homebuyers are more inclined to purchase a green home than a conventional home in a down market. And in an AT Kearney study, companies with green initiatives outperform their competitors by 33 percent. Learn about your colleagues’ green initiatives to control operating costs and discover what you need to know when it comes to servicing transferees’ demands for eco-friendly homes and managing home-purchase programs. We’ll show you how going green directly relates to risk management, home marketing and buying, and property evaluations.
Moderator:
Kevin E. Rich, SCRP
Vice President, Global Business
New World Van Lines, Inc.
South Hamilton, Massachusetts
Participants:
Benjamin Cesare
Managing Director, Residential Services
Environmental Data Resources, Inc
Jennifer Owens
U.S. Green Building Council
San Diego, California
Janet Olkowski, SCRP, GMS
Vice President, Consulting Services
Cornerstone Relocation Group
Basking Ridge, NJ
Avoiding the Relocation Worst-Case Scenario
Thursday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
If Hurricane Katrina, the California wildfires and the current recession have taught us anything, it’s that unforeseen challenges can lurk behind every corporate relocation. In this session, you’ll have the chance to hear from corporate relocation, real estate, and household goods professionals who have each encountered – and overcome- challenging scenarios. Garner practical advice for building a program and policy that can deliver optimal results under even the most challenging conditions. Their insight can help you avoid the relocation worst-case scenario!
Moderator:
Tim McCarney, GMS
Marketing Communications Manager
Weichert Relocation Resources, Inc.
Norwell, Massachusetts
Participants:
Jack Cotter
Vice President, Business Development
New World Van Lines, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Stefanie R. Schreck, CRP, GMS
Manager, Corporate Relocation
American International Group, Inc.
New York, New York
Arthur Sterbcow
President
Latter & Blum Inc., Realtors
New Orleans, Louisiana
Preventing Sale Fall-Through Prior to Closing
Thursday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Explore and identify problems occurring in the pre-market process that lead to sale fall-through. Discover how to identify the problem areas pertaining to various stages including appraisals, changing lending process approvals and inspection failures and learn how to implement solutions that will eliminate, reduce or at the very least address challenges in the early stages, allowing resolution prior to the buy out.
Moderator:
Karen E. Danner, CRP
Director of Relocation and Business Development
Koenig & Strey GMAC
Wilmette, Illinois
Participants:
Laura J. Henneberry, CRP, GMS
Executive Vice President
Morreale Real Estate Services, Inc.
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Patti Ward, CRP
Vice President, Business Development
Bank of America Home Loans
Seattle, Washington
Randy L. Wilson, CRP
Chief Operating Officer
NEI Global Relocation
Omaha, Nebraska
Household Goods Moves without the 400-N Tariff
Thursday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Moving industry leaders will discuss new tariff and pricing alternatives since the 2007 STB decision mandating that carriers must now publish their own tariffs. This session explores the industry’s response and its impact on the future of negotiating, comparing and controlling household goods transportation costs. Discover updated information on pricing alternatives for household goods transportation from both van line service providers and relocation companies. Develop a comprehensive RFP/RFQ outline for supplier evaluation, benchmarking and selection.
Moderator:
Linda Bauer Darr
President and CEO
American Moving & Storage Association
Alexandria, Virginia
Participants:
Ron Contarino, CRP
CEO
Infinity Management, Inc.
Flemington, New Jersey
Hardy Jackson
Vice President Global Alliances – Transportation
Prudential Relocation
Scottsdale, Arizona
Patrick J. Larch, Jr.
President and COO
United Van Lines
Fenton, Missouri
Today’s Renter: More Than a Guitar, a Backpack and a Case of Beer!
Thursday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Discuss how to identify and meet the needs of “Today’s Renters.” Whether they are a new college graduate, an experienced professional choosing to rent, or a transferee forced to rent due to the current economic and housing markets you need to know which questions to ask to identify their needs and offer services and policy options. Learn how renters are influencing policy development and service delivery. Discover best practices for renter services and determine what policy changes can be made on a temporary basis to address the specific needs of the forced renter.
Moderator:
Paula Foster, CRP, GMS
Director, Business Development
GenEquity Mortgage, Inc.
Irving, Texas
Participants:
Andrew Aquino, CRP
Team Leader, Personal Move Manager
TRC Global Solutions, Inc.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sharon Oda
Director of Relocation
Toyota Motor Sales
Torrance, California
Karen Rose, CRP, GMS
Director, Global Relocation Services
Paragon Relocation Resources, Inc.
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Turn that BV-OHH into a BV-AHH!!
Thursday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
With the skyrocketing costs of providing guaranteed offers, many employers have flocked to BVO programs to reduce costs and risks of inventory. While these BVO-type programs may reduce the cost to a company, are they as effective in today’s tough real estate market? This session will explore why classic BVO programs may be inconsistent with the risk a company may be willing to take – from both a tax safety perspective as well as from the practical need to sell homes. Discover how relocation programs can be enhanced while containing costs for your company. Determine how to supercharge your BVO programs to produce a BV-Ahhh!
Participants:
David B. Barlow, Jr., SCRP, GMS
Senior Vice President – Client Support Services
SIRVA Relocation
San Ramon, California
Medina M. McDade, CRP, GMS
Relocation Manager
Wal-Mart Stores
Bentonville, Arkansas
Peter K. Scott
Worldwide ERC® Tax Counsel
Peter K. Scott Associates
McLean, Virginia
Untangling the Mysteries of Overseas Moves for Family Members (Military Track)
Friday, May 15
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Foreign-born spouses of U.S. Army soldiers are confronted with many challenges when living in a new culture and possibly using a new language. Moreover, the adjustment to a different country and culture can be compounded by the complexity of being an Army spouse. The International Spouse Program is a multicultural, multi-ethnic group providing support, guidance and assistance to these important members of the Army family. Civilian relocation specialists may also wish to incorporate session objectives into the multi-cultural aspects of their relocation programs.
Participants:
Joe Missildine
Relocation Program Manager/AER Assistant Officer
Department of the Army
Korea
Tammye Braddy
ACS Relocation Assistance Manager
Department of the Army
Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Melissa Haapala
Relocation Readiness Program Manager
Department of the Army
Fort Drum, New York
Nancy Zajdel
Relocation, Mobilization and Deployment Readiness Program Manager
Department of the Army
Detroit, Michigan
Relocation 2.0: How Web 2.0 Is Used to Facilitate Workforce Mobility
Friday, May 15
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Are you LinkedIn? Do you Twitter? Are you a blogger? This session is designed to introduce how virtual community/internet and web 2.0 have changed the face of relocation in communicating, especially with Gen Y. Gain a better understanding of how all 4 generations (Gen Y, Gen X, Boomers, Silent) in the workplace embrace such technology. You will also discover how to use an on-line community for managing workforce mobility.
Moderator:
Michi E. Olson, GMS
Vice President, Business Development and Relocation
Alain Pinel Realtors
San Ramon, California
Participants:
John D’Ambrogio, CRP, GMS
Senior Vice President, Director of Operations & Relocation Services
Rubloff Residential Properties
Chicago, Illinois
Karen A. Reid
Senior Vice President
Worldwide ERC®
Arlington, Virginia
Mergers, Cost-cutting and Commuting – How the Economy is Changing the Face of Relocation
Friday, May 15
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
This session will discuss how by applying a global perspective to a domestic policy, your relocation program can take on a new life. Client EDS currently uses a policy that incorporates domestic temporary assignments, commuter moves, traditional relocation, business travel and telecommuting to offer best-in-class service. By treating their relocation policy globally, and by using a holistic approach to talent management, policy development, tracking mechanisms and team management, the policy has become a shining star in the total employee mobility best practice arena. Discuss the pros and cons, tax and legal issues, the must haves and the stumbling blocks around familial issues, costs, stealth employees and the like.
Moderator:
Barbe J. Ratcliffe
Consultant
Denver, Colorado
Participants:
Robert L. Giese, SCRP, GMS
Client Account Executive
EQUUS Software, LLC
Denver, Colorado
Kristi Goodwin
Manager, Employee Mobility Services
Electronic Data System
Plano, Texas
Jeffrey Brant Pearce, CRP
Senior Director, Client Relations
Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide
Aurora, Colorado
The Hard Cost of Soft Issues – Focusing on the Value of Soft Services
Friday, May 15
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
This session focuses on measuring and quantifying the real dollar value of relocation offerings traditional viewed as the “soft services.” We will hear first-hand from corporations offering services and transferees/spouses as to the challenges confronted during a move and how they resolved these issues. During this time of cost cutting, this session will explore how investing in a smoother transition for the employee and family can yield benefits such as higher productivity, employee retention and reduction of risk of relocation failure.
Presenters:
Lauren Herring, CRP, GMS
President and CEO
IMPACT Group
St. Louis, Missouri
Angela Sanita-Soto, CRP
Manager, Relocation & Expatriation
Saint Gobain Corporation
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Defense Personal Property System (Military Track)
Friday, May 15
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Presenter:
Craig C. McKinley
Chief, Acquisition and Services Branch
Deputy Chief of Staff for Personal Property, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC)
All You Need to Know About Short Sales
Friday, May 15
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
What exactly is a short sale? This session will address the challenges posed by a transferee selling or buying a short sale. Discover how this might impact the corporate client. Learn what you need to know from a tax standpoint. Let our experts tell you everything you should know about short sales and shouldn’t be afraid to ask!
Moderator:
Rachel K. Frenette, SCRP, GMS
Vice President, Client Services
Lexicon Relocation
Marietta, Georgia
Participants:
Joe Ohayon
Vice President, Community and Client Relations
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Frederick, Maryland
Kathy Connelly, SCRP
Senior Vice President, Corporate Services
Prudential Georgia Realty
Roswell, Georgia
Peter K. Scott
Worldwide ERC Tax Counsel
Peter K. Scott Associates
McLean, Virginia
Personal Financial Planning – What It Means for Us Today
Friday, May 15
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
This panel of financial planning experts will explore some of the options available to you as you struggle to understand today’s economic environment. Get answers to your questions on investments, savings, retirement funds, insurance and more.