Thanks for welcoming me to DIA-OFA!

Hi DIA-OFA members!

Thanks for a very warm welcome into your organization. If the events are half as fun as the pictures appear - that's an achievement in itself. Hopefully I can bring some value from my everyday job in government advocacy at the Detroit Regional Chamber. Right now we're fighting the service tax - which really hit a number of industries - but especially logistics. Courier service, warehousing and travel arrangements are just a few of the categories targeted in the new beast. Here is a link to all of the SIC codes that will be taxed December 1st.

I'm very excited to meet everyone - see you at the next event or the Christmas Party on December 13th!

The DIA-OFA Welcome's Melissa Roy as a New Officer

The DIA-OFA is proud to welcome Melissa Roy as our newest officer. She is sure to bring a new perspective and energy to our group. Thank you, Jeanne Heilman for recruiting Melissa as our new Secretary.

In her day job - Senior Director, Government Relations Detroit Regional Chamber - Melissa manages transportation policy and government relations. Her responsibilities at the Chamber include managing the transportation policy committee, advocacy and monitoring emerging issues that may impact trade and infrastructure within Southeast Michigan.

Within government relations, she is responsible for federal, state and local government relationship management. Transportation issues within the chamber include media positioning of important projects and forging partnerships along Detroit’s regional trade routes. Melissa is an eight year Detroit Regional Chamber veteran. Before government relations, she worked in economic development.

She welcomes the opportunity to learn more about the intermodal industry and join the party as a new DIA-OFA officer.

Melissa graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and German.

DIA-OFA Annual Detroit Tigers Outing

Over 100 DIA-OFA members and guests were at Comerica Park last Friday evening to witness pitchers Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers hitters dominate the Seattle Mariners 6-1.

Golf Outing Photos

The annual DIA-OFA Golf Outing on June 28th sold out and filled Fox Hills in Plymouth, MI. A great time was had by all!

Beer Tasting & More

Our first ever beer tasting event sponsored by Rave and Associates was a great success! Rudy Zunich had both international and Michigan beers available to sample by the large group as we learned about the brewing process and laws of distribution. In the "spirit" of the evening several of our membership companies agreed to be sponsors for our upcoming golf outing!!! Maybe next year we will have wine tasting???

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! - If any other companies would like to sponsor, please either send in the form or contact Jeanne Heilman - jheilman@portofvirginia.com. There are opportunities for Silver and Gold Sponsors as well as hole sponsors. Get your foursomes together as this event typically fills up!!!

FYI - The Transportation club of Detroit is having a symposium on Tuesday, May 15th. Follow this link for more information if you are interested in attending.

Jeanne

New Meeting Announcements - Tiger Game and Party Time

DIA-OFA Members & Guests!!!

1) Meeting next week - Thursday, March 22, 2007

We look forward to seeing you all at our meeting next week!!! Timothy Cotter from the USDOT will provide us an update from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with emphasis on the Recent Notice of Proposed Rule Making: “Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and Motor Carriers Operating Intermodal Equipment.” The flyer is attached for your information. Please bring your business associates, customers, friends and family members. If you could RSVP by Friday of this week it really helps with the planning of the event!!!

2) Annual Tiger Game - September 7, 2007

We are able to get our block of tickets on the Mountain Dew/Pepsi Deck again. This year we are booked for the Seattle Mariner's game on September 7th. This is the Friday after Labor Day, and as usual, they will have fireworks after the game. The tickets will be about under $60/person and again will include dinner, a seat and an area to network on the deck. Last year we sold out at 100 tickets. We can probably buy up to 119 tickets this year for the event. If any of you are interested in a large block, please advise at the soonest possible - jheilman@portofvirginia.com. Details to follow later…….

3) Christmas Party - December 13, 2007

We have booked the date for 2007's Christmas Party. We have decided to bring the event back to Downtown Detroit. Last year we maxed out the room at the Dearborn Inn with a great response from all of you. Our banquet room at the International Banquet Center in the heart of Greektown, can probably hold up to 250 people - http://www.internationalbanquets.co m/. A block of hotel rooms will be held for early bookings at a discounted rate at the Atheneum Suites Hotel and the Hilton Garden Inn. We are also looking into a DJ for after the dinner. Early paid reservations will also receive discount coupons for Greektown Casino. Don't forget to put it on your calendar!!! - Details to follow later.
Check our website for flyers on additional events, membership information and updates on the calendar. There are also events in April, May and June to attend! - www.dia-ofa.org (Beer tasting, Scholarship meeting Golf, etc.)

Thanks for your support!!

Jeanne G. Heilman