What an exciting time for our industry.
Did you know that American Warehousemen’s Association (AWA) is one of the oldest trade organizations in North America today? Did you know that AWA/IWLA was a founding member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? We have such a rich history to be proud of.
A group of concerned warehousemen founded AWA in 1891. These founders joined together to ensure our industry would survive. Back then, our forefathers were fighting the railroads. During those 125 years, our industry has grown and traversed different challenges.
It is because of those who went before us – those who took on the regulatory battles, those who fought for and defined the terms and conditions and liabilities for our industry, and those who created great family businesses and companies – that we have enjoyed the fruits of their labor for decades.
Today, IWLA is at the forefront of the regulatory and legislative arena. The association still represents the industry and keeps it viable. Now, more than a century and a quarter later, we will be celebrating AWA/IWLA’s 125th year of representing our industry.
We invite you to help us celebrate that history at the convention in Orlando. Many of our members are multigenerational family businesses and have great stories about their founding and journey through the decades.
What is the history and story behind your business? Do you have photos, documents, artifacts from your company’s history that you would be willing to share? The items and artifacts from IWLA’s and its members’ history will be displayed in a special Warehouse Evolution: 1891 to Today museum in the 2016 Expo Hall.
Please an explanation of what we are looking for, and how we will be handling what you send us. Morgan Zenner (mzenner@IWLA.com or 847.813.4696) will be coordinating these efforts for IWLA. Please fill out the attached form and send it along with the information requested to Morgan so that she can contact you to follow up on the details. Your participation will keep your history alive through IWLA’s next milestone, 25 years in the future and beyond!
Thank you for being an IWLA member. It is only by joining together that we can maintain and grow our industry – and keep it healthy.
I look forward to seeing you in Orlando and celebrating our 125th anniversary.
Sincerely,
Jere Van Puffelen
Past IWLA Chairman
Chair of the of the 125th Anniversary Subcommittee
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