NCBFAA, JIG CANCEL MEETINGS; CLM, WESCCON ON SCHEDULE

NCBFAA, JIG CANCEL MEETINGS; CLM, WESCCON ON SCHEDULE    The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America has canceled its government affairs conference and all other association meetings in Washington, Sept. 20-25.
   The association said registration fees will be refunded during the next few weeks and all of the hotel reservations under the NCBFAA room block will be canceled. Other hotel reservations must be canceled by calling the hotels directly.
   “The safety and well being of our members is paramount during these difficult times,” the NCBFAA said.
   Also, the Joint Industry Group has postponed its annual meeting, scheduled for Sept. 20 in Washington, until a later date. The group said it will keep its members advised.
   So far, the Council of Logistics Management plans to hold its annual conference in Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 30-Oct. 3, and the Western Cargo Conference is on schedule for Oct. 4-7 in Vancouver, B.C.
   '”The leadership of our country have asked everyone of us not to allow the cowards who perpetrated these acts to disrupt our business, our personal lives and our schedules,” said Robert E. Coleman, president of the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Associations, which sponsors the Western Cargo Conference (WESCCON). “We need to step forward, show leadership and continue to show we are business as usual regardless of our personal stress or pain.”
   “In light of the events of the past few days, there will be additional speakers, from the Coast Guard and others, to inject first-hand information about what adjustments we will all need to make to deal with the current crisis and increased security which will be necessary in our business of moving cargo around the world. WESCCON participants will be among the first in our Country to learn how our dealings with our vendors and government agencies may change, and what steps we need to take to ensure we conduct our business correctly,” Coleman said.