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< Previous10 PORTAL January / February 2025 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY Move ‘em Out, Move ‘em In By Terry Head, President Emeritus, IAM Hall of Honor Class of 2019 Keeping with the focus of this issue of the Portal magazine, I would hazard a guess that no other moving market in the world experiences greater impact from elections than the area encompassing and surrounding the District of Columbia (Washington, DC). Most readers likely know me as the former pres- ident of IAM, having served in that role for twenty-one years and “re-wiring” six years ago. However, some may not be aware that beginning in 1969, before taking on the role at HHGFAA/ IAM, I spent 28 years actively employed in various positions in the moving, forwarding and logistics arenas, all here in the DC area. We all know relocation and moving is both sea- sonal and cyclical in nature. Every country and hemisphere has its peak season. The rise and fall of global economies often contribute to the ups and downs experienced by numerous industries, including relocation, moving and mobility. Another contributing factor to the cyclic demand for moving services are the periodic local, regional and national elections that occur here in the United States and elsewhere around the globe. These elec- tions habitually result in the application of dif- ferent political philos- ophies along with the implementation of new policies. These policy changes are front-run- ners to new rules and regulations impacting economic development, global trade and geopolitical shifts—sometimes, reluctantly, resulting in civil strife or worse. Washington, DC, may not be the largest moving market when it comes to shipment volume. That distinction goes to established markets such as London, New York, Shanghai and Singapore, with cities like Dubai, Delhi and Bombay experiencing increased importance and growth. The USA’s capital city experiences a major trans- formation as a result of national and presidential elections. These elections determine the presi- dent and vice president for the next four years, as well as who will represent each state and territory in congress for the next two years. Congressional (midterm) elections happen every two years. At that time, one-third of the Senate and every seat in the House of Representatives are up for election. The volume of moving generated is heightened, especially if there is a new, incoming presidential administration, as is now the case. The media always seems to focus coverage on the move out of the White House by the departing president and, more importantly, the move in by the newly-elected presi- dent along with his first lady and family. What the press tends not to cover are the person- nel changes (potential moves) generated at the legislative and federal agency level. The U.S. Senate is wel- coming at least a dozen newly elected sena- tors and the House of Representatives is adding 63 “freshman” Elections here in the USA and around the world will continue to periodically reshape and refocus governments, but one thing is certain—the moving industry stands ready and able to move ‘em out and move ‘em in. TERRY HEADPORTAL January / February 2025 11 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY Step 1: hot toast Step 3: the application Newbies Intermediate Vegemite Virtuoso Australia, we’re all over it. We recommend a thick and crusty slice of your favourite sourdough, whole grain or white bread. Step 2: plenty of butter Don’t hold back! Spread softened butter evenly over hot toast and let it melt slightly before proceeding. Newbies: use feather-light strokes, so light you’ll question if it’s even there. Intermediate: go bolder, build layers on the bread like a canvas. Virtuoso: heap it on, leave no toast uncovered. From one Aussie icon to another... How to eat Vegemite the right way. Grace 12 PORTAL January / February 2025 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY congressmen. That represents one of the largest turnovers in decades, yet out of 535 elected posi- tions, it doesn’t seem like a lot. But what you have to consider are the ensuing hundreds of potential congressional and committee staffing changes. Most of the outgoing senators and representatives, along with their staffs, typically move back to their home districts. And, you guessed it, the ‘incoming cohort’ hire and move in their own constituents. A report issued in 2023 advised staffing levels for the Senate and House just a little over 10,000 people. When the U.S. elects a new president, you can anticipate a major turnover within the Executive Branch, most commonly known as the president’s cabinet. The cabinet includes the (elected) vice president and the appointed secretaries (execu- tives) of 15 cabinet level departments and federal agencies. There are around 4,000 presidential polit- ical appointees. In many cases, these appointees hire and move in their own deputies and key staff- ers, replacing those moving out who served under the outgoing administration. One of those executive branches is the U.S. Department of State, which is a major customer of our industry generating on average 15–20,000 moves a year, the majority of which are interna- tional. When a new president comes into power, there can be a major turnover in U.S. ambassadors and other diplomats. Ambassadors can be either a career diplomat (foreign service officer) or a pres- idential appointee. Career foreign service offi- cers serve a tour of approximately three years per ambassadorship, whereas political appointees cus- tomarily tender their resignation upon the inaugu- ration of a new president. Also, foreign embassies and press often transfer in new ambassadors and staff who might have a beneficial relationship with the new president and/or others within the incom- ing administration. On last count, there are just over 280,000 U.S. federal civilian government employees in the Washington, DC metro area. The U.S. Department of Defense employs another 61,000 civilians in and around the Capitol. The majority of the area’s civilian government employees are secure in their jobs. However, when there is a new president and change in administra- tion, a significant number of government employ- ees, who might not share the same values and political beliefs, elect to quit or retire. Most choose to move out of the area to avoid the high cost-of- living in Washington, DC. There is a new wrinkle to consider with the incom- ing administration planning to set up a new advi- sory commission to be known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It is tasked with reviewing and restructuring the U.S. federal gov- ernment, which could lead to the elimination of personnel and, in some cases, entire agencies and departments. There is also talk of relocating some agencies out of the DC area to other parts of the country. A new president and their administration’s policies will undoubtedly have an effect on global trade. Shipping and related demand for moving services will be impacted through policy changes impact- ing immigration, tariffs, favored-nation status, foreign military sales (FMS), humanitarian aid, as well as corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A). I look forward to potentially drilling down into these dynamics in a future Portal article. Elections here in the USA and around the world will continue to periodically reshape and refocus governments, but one thing is certain—the moving industry stands ready and able to move ‘em out and move ‘em in. PORTAL January / February 2025 13 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY Full Container Export & Import Domestic Logistics Door-to-Door and Foreign-to-Foreign Service Air Freight THE POWER TO MOVE YOU GLOBALLY Local. Around the world. OL USA 14 PORTAL January / February 2025 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY Endeavors, Emotions, and Economy: India’s Era of Reform Post 2024 Elections By Amit Thakker, Partner, 21st Century Relocations 642 million voters participated in India’s 2024 general election, which lasted 44 days. It led to forming a coalition government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The government intro- duced several economic and infrastructural reforms, influencing the multi-mil- lion-dollar moving industry in ways that may not seem obvious to many. You might be wondering: How does infrastruc- ture reform affect India’s moving industry, or what does the Indo-China relationship have to do with people relocating? The short answer is: A lot. The entire country’s economic landscape, shaped by the elected government, has a massive impact on relocation trends in a country of 1.4 billion people. This is especially true when a trend of reverse urbanization during the COVID-19 pandemic con- tinued after it ended. Let’s dive in. Domestic Relocation: Local and Hyper-Local Manufacturing Boost The Effect: India has a growing economy, with many living below the poverty line. However, it is also a country of indus- trious, skilled workers seeking opportunities to change their circum- stances and improve lives for future genera- tions. It’s also a country where some of the great- est ideas are invented. Government schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) are not just aimed at manual labor jobs that the infrastructure sector demands. They’re also helping jobs for all collars—white, green, pink, grey, gold, and so on (yes, there are this many collar colors to categorize jobs). Manufacturing, especially in semiconductors, elec- tric vehicles, and green technology, is driving the moving industry as new industrial zones emerge, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. India wants to rival China’s dominance in the world’s manufac- turing industry. This impetus in manufacturing also makes it ideal not only for the job-seekers but also MSME entrepreneurs. The Strategy: One of India’s greatest ways to stay competitive is to offer cost-efficient, digitally powered moving services. Virtual consultations or app-based solutions make moving hassle-free for people with short attention spans and shorter interest lifespans. International: FDI, Trade Agreements, and Expat-Friendly Policies The Effect: The Indian diaspora attracts pro- fessionals from around the globe due to simpli- fied work visas (but it still has a long way to go), enhancements to the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), and start- up-friendly initiatives. The Modi-led govern- ment, which is in its third term, has been doing this for the past decade, and its results have begun to show. However, other chal- lenges, such as state-spe- cific immigration rules, administrative red tape, How does infrastructure reform affect India’s moving industry, or what does the Indo-China relationship have to do with people relocating? The short answer is: A lot. AMIT THAKKERPORTAL January / February 2025 15 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY and cultural adjustment, may continue to pose challenges for cross-border moving projects. Additionally, an increase in foreign direct invest- ment (FDI) is expected, including trade agreements signed with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Australia, etc. Multinational corporations establishing operations in India only spells ‘oppor- tunity’ for the moving businesses. The Strategy: Offering add-ons may be a success- ful competitive strategy to help non-Indians nav- igate the shift. The devil is in the details. Offering assistance with visas, legal support, or creating a dossier or guide to help them acclimatize could go a long way for B2C and B2B operations. Creating partnerships with ancillary vendors could be the key to success in a country where ‘trust’ and ‘word of mouth’ could help you make or break it. A Green Future and the Human Angle The current government is focused on sustainabil- ity. For example, policy reforms for electric vehi- cles and clean energy will completely change how the moving industry functions, saving energy and improving cost efficiency in the long run. Aiming for a carbon-neutral or carbon-positive moving business is the way to go. After all, India’s current moving industry demo- graphic is driven by emotion and the need to look after one’s family. This makes it unique and dynamic, meaning entrepreneurs looking at India must keep experimenting and finding the right approach for their market. What may work inter- nationally may not work in this country, but more importantly, every region has its own needs. South India functions differently from the North East or the North. Contrastingly, the younger generations, like Gen Z, are less deeply rooted in familial land and respon- sibilities than the older generations. Lifestyle upgrades and global exposure make them move places often. This shows how drastically the moving industry is set to change in the coming years. Focusing on green practices and fully digital ser- vices is paramount to appealing to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the customers and voters of tomorrow. High Relocation Worldwide Korea 16 PORTAL January / February 2025 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY How Movers Can Remain Competitive as U.S. Government Policies Shift By Bill Brill, SVP, International, MiniMoves, Inc. / MM Worldwide The 2024 U.S. presidential elec- tion and return of a Trump administration is expected to bring significant changes in government policies, affect- ing domestic and global relo- cation trends. These changes, combined with a shift towards nearshoring, will be influenced by economic, reg- ulatory, and geopolitical factors. Movers need to understand these shifts to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Economic and Regulatory Shifts Since the early 1990s, the U.S. economy has grown significantly, with GDP rising from $6.5 trillion to $27 trillion. This growth period saw histori- cally low interest rates and increased global cor- porate investment, greatly boosting demand for moving services. However, this expansion also led to a growing trade deficit, increased government debt, and social discontent due to offshoring of American jobs. The 2020 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities in global supply chains, leading to shortages and higher consumer prices. In response, companies began nearshoring—outsourcing to nearby coun- tries—to leverage proximity and cost efficiencies. For example, in recent years, automotive and aero- space manufacturing has shifted from East Asia to Mexico. The Trump administration is likely to continue promoting nearshoring by imposing high tariffs on Chinese goods and renegotiating trade agree- ments with Canada and Mexico. This will boost job growth in the U.S. and increase cross-border trade within North America, driving demand for domes- tic and cross-border relocation services. Relocation Trends 1 . NEARSHORING EFFECTS: Job Growth in the Americas: More jobs in North and South America, especially Mexico, will lead to increased relocation of skilled labor. Short-Term Assignments: Companies may prefer shorter-term assignments, reducing long-term relocations. Cost-Effective Moves: More budget-conscious relocations with lump sum or capped budgets. Language and Culture: Spanish fluency will be advantageous, and there will be a higher demand for infrastructure projects in Latin America. Post-2024 election policy shifts will significantly affect relocation trends. Movers must adapt by embracing technology, enhancing customer engagement, expanding services, focusing on sustainability, strengthening their online presence, and staying compliant with regulations. BILL BRILLPORTAL January / February 2025 17 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY 2 . DOMESTIC TRENDS: Urban to Suburban Shifts: Policies favoring deregulation and lower taxes may encourage moves from urban to suburban or rural areas. Increased Mobility: Return to office policies will influence domestic relocation patterns as employees move back or opt-out, preferring remote work. Strategies for Movers To remain competitive, movers should adopt the following strategies: 1 . EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY: Digital Tools: Invest in digital platforms to streamline operations and improve customer service. Data Analytics: Use analytics to understand customer preferences and optimize routes. 2 . ENHANCE CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT: Personalized Services: Offer tailored solutions for different customer segments. Customer Feedback: Collect and act on feed- back to improve services. 3 . EXPAND SERVICES: Diversification: Include storage, packing, and relocation consulting services. Partnerships: Form partnerships with real estate agents and local businesses. 4 . FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY: Eco-Friendly Practices: Use sustainable mate- rials and optimize logistics to reduce carbon footprints. Green Certifications: Obtain certifications to attract environmentally-conscious customers. 5 . STRENGTHEN ONLINE PRESENCE: SEO and Marketing: Optimize your website and invest in digital marketing. Social Media: Engage with customers on social media platforms. 6 . ADAPT TO REGULATIONS: Compliance: Stay informed about regulatory changes and ensure compliance. Advocacy: Participate in industry associations to influence policy decisions. Post-2024 election policy shifts will significantly affect relocation trends. Movers must adapt by embracing technology, enhancing customer engagement, expanding services, focusing on sus- tainability, strengthening their online presence, and staying compliant with regulations. These strategies will help them remain competitive in a changing market. Jacksonville Box & Woodwork 18 PORTAL January / February 2025 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY Global Impacts of Local Elections on the Moving Industry By Aakanksha Bhargava, CEO, PM Relocations Pvt. Ltd. Elections are not just pivotal moments in governance; they are the heartbeat of change that pulses through every corner of a nation, reshaping industries and lives in profound ways. In India, where politics steers the wheel of economic growth and infrastructural evolution, its influence on the relo- cation industry has been truly transformative. The introduction of new policies and priorities trans- forms the landscape of economic opportunities and the aspirations of people. This ripple effect impacts the relocation industry in multiple ways— presenting challenges, but also unlocking exciting avenues for growth. For the moving industry, this is not a shift in demand; it is an invitation to adapt, innovate, and grow. Being attuned to the political currents and economic reforms that shape India’s progress, we do not just respond to change; we contribute to the nation’s journey. Economic Climate and Its Impact on Moving and Relocation The economic climate, particularly interest rates, plays a signifi- cant role in influencing the relocation indus- try. Government poli- cies directly affect the housing market, cor- porate investments, and migration trends. During election years, economic decisions on fiscal policies and inter- est rates can either fuel or restrict the movement of people and businesses. In recent years, changes in interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have had a direct impact on both residential and commercial relo- cations. Higher rates tend to slow down reloca- tion demand, as individuals and companies adjust their moving plans to manage the increased cost of borrowing. When the economy is buoyant and interest rates are favorable, people and businesses are more inclined to move in search of better opportunities. On the other hand, during economic downturns or when interest rates rise, the demand for relocation services tends to decrease. How Do Global Elections Influence Cross-Border Trade? Election-driven changes in global trade policies are also a significant determinant for the reloca- tion industry, particularly concerning cross-border moves. Changes in trade agreements or interna- tional relations open new relocation opportunities such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a trade agreement involving India and several other countries which aims to reduce trade barri- ers among Asia-Pacific nations. However, these changes can also impose restrictions on reloca- tion due to the increased regulations and tariffs that follow. Changes in tariffs or customs policies could either ease or complicate As elections shape policies and priorities, the sector must remain proactive, leveraging technology and customer- centric approaches to address new challenges. AAKANKSHA BHARGAVAPORTAL January / February 2025 19 PORTAL FOCUS GLOBAL IMPACTS: HOW ELECTIONS INFLUENCE THE MOVING INDUSTRY cross-border relocations. As such, it’s crucial for relocation services to remain adaptable, offering businesses and individuals reliable support to nav- igate new regulations and ensure smoother transi- tions across borders. Environmental Policies: A Growing Factor Often in electoral policies, environmental policy becomes paramount and forces companies to switch to more green-friendly technologies. Rigid environmental requirements make way for a better relocation process such as using environ- ment friendly type of packing materials and car- bon-friendly transport. For instance, India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change is forcing businesses to green up their practices, and this extends to the relocation companies. From using recyclable material to opti- mizing transportation logistics, this green practice is not just about adhering to policy but also appeal to an environmentally conscious consumer base who value sustainability in every aspect of their lives, including relocation. What Are the Other Policies Impacting Moving and Relocation? Beyond economic policies, other factors like housing schemes, tax incentives for businesses, and social welfare initiatives can significantly impact migration patterns. For example, govern- ment initiatives like affordable housing programs or business relocation incentives in specific regions can drive individuals and corporations to move to new areas. Moreover, social programs targeting healthcare, education, and rural development often attract families and professionals to relocate, reshaping relocation trends in both urban and rural regions. Embracing Change: A Relocation Industry Perspective The Indian relocation industry thrives on its ability to adapt. As elections shape policies and priori- ties, the sector must remain proactive, leveraging technology and customer-centric approaches to address new challenges. From virtual surveys for accurate moving estimates to eco-friendly packing solutions, the industry is embracing innovation to stay ahead. Elections may be periodic, but their influence is enduring. By understanding the intricate links between political changes and mobility trends, the relocation industry can continue to play a crucial role in enabling transitions, fostering connections, and supporting India’s growth story. At PM Relocations, we don’t just follow the trends—we anticipate them. By staying ahead of political, economic, and environmental changes, we ensure that our clients’ transitions are seam- less, stress-free, and in sync with India’s dynamic growth. As elections continue to shape the nation’s landscape, PMR remains at the forefront, guiding individuals and businesses through the changing tides of relocation with expertise, agility, and a commitment to excellence. At IAM, we wholeheartedly acknowledge the pressing need for our industry to adopt greener and more sustainable practices. We realize that this transformation requires a united effort, together we are stronger. IAM has collaborated with CERC, CHPA, EURA, FIDI and WERC to This initiative is designed to serve as an invaluable hub for sustainability research and information tailored to the global mobility industry. Please for further information and resources. Together, we can chart the course toward a greener and more sustainable future.Next >