Allied Van Lines Announces 2011 Agent Awards
Vancouver-Based Quality Move Management Earns Two Top Awards
Allied Van Lines Inc., one of the world’s largest moving companies and a subsidiary of SIRVA Inc., announced that Quality Move Management Inc. received two top awards at its US Operations Conference held in Lombard, IL. The Canadian-based firm was named the 2011 Cross Border Agent of the Year, and was also recognized as the 2011 Safety Agent of the Year.
For the fifth year in a row, Quality Move Management earned the prestigious Allied Cross Border Agent of the Year award, which recognizes the agency with the highest volume of US-Canada cross-border tonnage, among more than 400 Allied Van Lines agents in North America. Hauling over 6.5 million pounds across the border in 2011, up 20% from 2010 levels, QMM achieved a quality score of 4.63 (out of a possible 5.0), placing them in the “Excellent” category of agents.
“Once again, Quality Move Management continues to set the standard for our cross border agents,” said Bill Lyon, Vice President and General Manager of Allied Van Lines. “Being recognized multiple times for both awards is indicative of a culture that can successfully perform at the highest level.”
“Even though we moved the equivalent of 300 truckloads across the border in 2011, our goal was do it safely and securely,” said Quality Move Management President & CEO Kevin St. George. “Winning these awards multiple years is a testament not only to the quality of our leadership but also to everyone on our team who contributed with their passion for excellence.”
Quality Move Management Inc. has offices and warehouses in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and specializes in corporate moving services as well as local and long-distance consumer moving. For more information about Quality Move Management, visit www.QMM.com.
For additional information, please contact Shelby Slater by e-mail at sslater@qmm.com or by phone at 604-523-3752.
About Allied Van Lines
Established in 1928, Allied Van Lines, with more than 400 agent locations in North America, is an experienced leader in household goods moving and specialized transportation services. Allied is one of the world’s largest moving companies and one of the established global brands of SIRVA, Inc., a leader in providing relocation services to corporations, consumers and governments around the world. For more information about Allied Van Lines, visit www.allied.com. Allied Van Lines, Inc., U.S. DOT No. 076235
About SIRVA, Inc.
SIRVA, Inc. is a leading provider of relocation solutions to a well-established and diverse customer base around the world. The Company handles all aspects of relocation, including home purchase and home sale services, household goods moving, mortgage services, and home closing and settlement services. SIRVA conducts more than 300,000 relocations per year, transferring corporate and government employees in addition to individual consumers. SIRVA’s well-recognized brands include Allied, Allied International, Allied Pickfords, Allied Special Products, DJK Residential, Global, northAmerican, northAmerican International, SIRVA Mortgage, SIRVA Move Management, SIRVA Relocation and SIRVA Settlement. More information about SIRVA can be found on the Company’s Web site at http://www.sirva.com.
Allied Van Lines Announces 2011 Canadian Agent of the Year Award
Allied Van Lines Inc., one of the world’s largest moving companies and a subsidiary of SIRVA Inc., announced that Quality Move Management Inc. (QMM) has been awarded the 2011 Canadian Agent of the Year award. This award will be formally presented in May 2012 at the Awards Dinner at the Allied Van Lines Operations Conference in Edmonton.
Quality Move Management is the first recipient of the award, which recognizes the Agency for meeting criteria for excellence in a number of areas such as booking activity and growth; overall rating and quality improvement; and hauling activity.
“Quality Move Management continues to set the bar for excellence for our Canadian agent system,” said Rob Grohn, Vice President and General Manager of Allied Van Lines Canada. “We are proud to recognize them as the first recipient of this prestigious award, which is an honour in itself.”
“We are extremely honoured by this recognition, which reflects both our industry leadership and commitment to delivering outstanding service and value to all of our customers,” said Kevin St. George, President of Quality Move Management. “This would not have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional employees who work tirelessly to exceed our customers’ expectations.”
Established in Vancouver in 1996, Quality Move Management is Allied Van Lines’ first dedicated corporate moving agent in Canada. From locations in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton Quality Move Management handles more relocations than any Allied agent in Canada and is the largest cross-border moving company in North America. QMM also represents Allied International in these markets.
For additional information, please contact Shelby Slater by e-mail at sslater@qmm.com or by phone at 604-523-3752.
About Allied Van Lines
Established in 1928, Allied Van Lines, with more than 400 agent locations in North America, is an experienced leader in household goods moving and specialized transportation services. Allied is one of the world’s largest moving companies and one of the established global brands of SIRVA, Inc., a leader in providing relocation services through its subsidiaries to corporations, consumers and governments around the world. For more information about Allied Van Lines, visit www.allied.com. Allied Van Lines, Inc., U.S. DOT No. 076235
About SIRVA, Inc.
SIRVA, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading provider of relocation solutions to a well-established and diverse customer base around the world. The company handles all aspects of relocation, including home purchase and home sale services, household goods moving, mortgage services, and home closing and settlement services. SIRVA conducts more than 300,000 relocations per year, transferring corporate and government employees in addition to individual consumers. SIRVA’s well-recognized brands include Allied, Allied International, Allied Pickfords, Allied Special Products, DJK Residential, Global, northAmerican, northAmerican International, SIRVA Mortgage, SIRVA Move Management, SIRVA Relocation and SIRVA Settlement. More information about SIRVA can be found on the company’s Web site at http://www.sirva.com.
Moving to the U.S.: Life in Chicago
If you are considering cross border moving to the United States, with your final destination being Chicago, you have wonderful things in store for you. Chicago is known as the Windy City, but it is also known for great shopping, food, museums, festivals, and more. Even though moving to the U.S. can be a daunting task, knowing more about your destination of Chicago will make it easier.
Chicago is known for its 200 distinct neighborhoods, which range from artistic to progressive, to family-friendly. There are areas of concentrated ethnicity to check out, such as Chinatown, where you’ll find Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian food and culture. Try Pilsen for a Mexican hub of restaurants, and Rodgers Park, for an ethic mix of East Indian, Pakistani, Hasidic Jewish, and Russian culture, food, and arts.
It has the weather of the Mid-west, cold in the winter and hot in the summers, but the lake tends to moderate this often. Fall and spring are beautiful and temperate.
There is the Magnificent Mile on North Michigan Avenue, which you and all the tourists will check out, with Bloomingdale’s, Nike Town, Eddie Bauer, Nieman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
You’ll find major museums, and many smaller ones, but start at the Museum Campus on the lakefront. There is Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium.
You have to see Navy Pier, also on the lakefront, with its mix of attractions from Crystal Gardens to a 150 foot tall ferris wheel.
Chicago is known for its convenient and reliable public transportation on its trains and buses. You’ll find the traffic is heavy, so if you don’t need a car, especially in the city center, use public transportation.
You’ll be visiting lots of festivals like Taste of Chicago and The Blues Fest. For recreation, there is Lake Michigan, the Dunes of Indiana, and the beauty of Wisconsin. The vibrant theatre community will keep you at shows, and the sports teams such as the Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, White Sox, and Cubs will keep you entertained.
There is a lot to look forward to when moving to the U.S. and especially to Chicago. Try timeout.com/Chicago or chireader.com for more info on the Windy City.
*Photo provided by Flickr user @Libby Marr under the creative common license.
5 Things Not to Forget When Moving to Canada from the U.S.
Cross border moving from the U.S. to Canada can be both an exciting and intimidating time. There are new customs, currency and languages to learn. There is the issue of obtaining legal residency, but once that is finalized you are left to figure out the moving logistics. There is a lot to remember, so take these five tips on what not to forget.
1. Don’t forget to look into Canadian laws that are different from laws in the U.S. For instance, it is illegal to leave a child younger than 12 at home alone.
2. Don’t forget to have some Canadian currency to make things easier on your first days in the country. There is the blue five, purple ten, green 20, and red 50. The brown 100 may be hard to change. Remember that banking hours are shorter, only 10am-3pm.
3. Don’t forget to apply for your health insurance card. You can obtain an application from any hospital, doctor, or pharmacy. In order to complete the application you will need your birth certificate, Confirmation of Permanent Residence, and your passport. In most provinces, you will be covered as soon as you apply.
4. Don’t forget to take lists of the items you are bringing across the border. You need two copies of a detailed list of all your personal and household items, and also two copies of a list of what is arriving later. These lists should indicate the worth of your items.
5. Don’t forget to have with you enough money to cover living expenses such as rent, clothing, food and transportation for six months. Proof of these funds may be required at the border.
With these tips, and the rest of your preparation, you will soon be happily residing in Canada, and won’t consider moving to the U.S. anytime soon.
(Photo by flickr member @lsiegert per the creative commons license)
Living Like a Local: Best Places to Eat Dinner in Vancouver
When cross border moving, you have to research the new culture you are entering. Vancouver, BC has a bustling nightlife, and a wide offering of hip and highly recommended restaurants to experience.
Try the classy Blue Water Cafe if you are in the mood for a five star experience. Located in Yaletown, an old warehouse district, Blue Water Cafe is a favorite of locals and celebrities alike. This is fancy at its finest, with a large selection of oysters, a raw bar, and fresh seafood.
Also in the heart of historic Yaletown is Simply Thai, a cozy, artsy restaurant serving authentic Thai cuisine with ingredients straight from Thailand, matched with fresh local produce. You can watch the cooks as they work to create your mild to intensely spicy meal in ample proportions. Simply Thai is the only Thai chef and owner-operated restaurant in Vancouver.
Le Bistro Chez Michel will take you away to France and its romantic and decadent cuisine. Located in North Vancouver, this restaurant has great views of the Vancouver skyline and the ocean. It is elegant yet inexpensive, with that intimate bistro feel. Try the croque monsieur, a classic and delicious Parisian sandwich.
For a Middle Eastern option, head to Cafe Nuba on Main Street. They say it is inspired by “third world roadside cafe’s of the 1970’s,” which is evidenced by the retro decor. They are known for their signature Lebanese food, Middle Eastern baked goods, and freshly squeezed juices such as beet, lime and ginger. This is a vegetarian friendly option. End your meal with a Turkish style coffee and a rose water infused shortbread cookie.
The Chambar Belgian Grill is the place to get the best Belgian cuisine in Vancouver. Their tapas and big pots of mussels cooked in traditional Belgian broths are one-of-a-kind. This restaurant is warm and cozy and unpretentious. They are big on being “green” and are working toward becoming carbon neutral. It is close to downtown transit on Beatty Street.
(Photo by flickr member @retinafunk per the creative commons license)
