FIDI 39 Club Historical Timeline
The FIDI 39 Club started from an ambition to bring together the next generation of leaders within the international moving industry.
1991
1991 – Paul Wielens of Starline International, Canada was elected first ever President of the FIDI 39 Club at Interlaken, Switzerland – the birthplace of FIDI. Paul was joined on the Board by Connie Baer of Fermont International, Germany and Karin Wouters of Arthur Pierre, Belgium.
The first planting of a tree at conference took place, to demonstrate the Club’s commitment to environmental issues. Pictured is the godfather of the FIDI 35 Club and FIDI Focus Editor, Colin Quarrington and his wife Pam planting the tree, overseen by future FIDI Secretary General and FIDI 35 Club Board member, Karin Wouters.
1993
1993 – Connie Baer of Fermont International in Germany was elected President of the FIDI 35 Club.
During the gala dinner an auction was held, selling 35 Club branded ‘’protect the environment’’ T-Shirts, with funds going to Robert Swan’s environmental program.
The annual tree planting also featured as the cover of the FIDI Focus in the summer of 1993.
1996
FIDI Focus re-usable box project launched
1997
1998
FIDI Conference - Rio de Janeiro
Boris Germann of Froesch, Germany was elected as President. The FIDI 35 Club party took place on Sugar Mountain in Rio on a rainy and foggy night.
1999
Saw the Club go to London. The Club party was held in a nightclub in St James.
2000
FIDI Conference took place in Sun City, South Africa.
Sun City – its own room in the resort – Nicki French, former FIDI 35 Club President commented ‘’I recall the after party was more memorable. We all went swimming in Cascades pool in our cocktail gowns. I had a safari booked for 6am the next morning (what was I thinking!) and so I never went to bed. The gentle rock of the safari truck through the bush was enough to send me to sleep and I was never so glad for the coffee stop halfway around.
- The logo colours were updated ( image to the right)
- The Bye Laws were updated and confirmed the Club’s aims:
To provide a forum for young people to project their views and concepts for the on-going improvement of the International Moving Industry.
A formal working lunch for all members of the 35 Club will be convened during each FIDI Congress.
Attendance at this event will be restricted to 35 Club Members only and Congress Newcomers that are non-members who otherwise qualify for Club membership. Non-member Newcomers shall not have a right to vote on any Club issues debated at the lunch.
2001
Fred Bear becomes the mascot of the FIDI 35 Club and travels the world between club members, documenting his travels along the way.
The FIDI 39 Club event involved a murder mystery in a local Chateau near Brussels.
2002
Berlin – this was the party of all parties – it was a Mafia Wedding party, when you arrived you got given dark glasses, the type of glasses you got signified which family you were part of. Each family had their own tune (ours was O Sole Mio) and you had to sing it loudly when prompted. There was a live Jazz band and the whole thing was a riot.
2003
Rob Gilbert elected as President
Stockholm – Eurovision song contest party – basically a karaoke with costumes provided. I recall Cliff Williamson (who was already way too old to be at 35 club parties but everyone wanted to go after the reports from Berlin) pretending to be a rock guitarist and stripping off his shirt!
The First FIDI 35 Club conference took place, in a move forward from only a lunch between members.
2004 - New Orleans
2005 - Nicky French elected President
2006
Beijing, Bertrams Junior School project started. The FIDI 35 Club were instrumental in launching and overseeing this important charity project which led to the creation of 5 new classrooms and sanitary facilities at the impoverished school, which allowed hundreds of pupils to be educated and to extend their education.
2007
Budapest - Angie Mirams elected as President
The party was hosted in an ancient swimming pool and the evening started with a very proficient synchronised swimming display.
Three future FIDI Association Presidents take part in the planting of the tree, Sara Lyrum of Aspire Mobility, Denmark, Fanny Sterckx of Transworld, Belgium and Andreas Eibel of Sobolak, Austria.
2009
Angie Mirams was re-elected as President as James Dasey of DB Bonner, the President-elect, did not have the time away from his business to commit fully to the role.
Welti-Furrer sponsored a FIDI 35 football match. This was the first pre-conference Club sporting activity which takes place annually to this day.
The Club logo was updated (image to the right)
2012
The FIDI 35 Club Bowler hat was introduced, with pins distributed to members.
2013
Aulina Mithal Sood elected as President at the FIDI Conference in Athens, Greece.
The FIDI 35 Club sporting activity at FIDI Conference Athens featured pool games, inspired by the Olympics.
The FIDI 35 Club produced a song, written by Board member and future President, Armand Guillemoteau, which was performed exclusively at the FIDI 35 Club Beach Party by the FIDI 35 Club Board.
After several years of exclusive support from the Club, Bertrams Junior School becomes the first official FIDI charity project FIDI Focus - No.254 April/May 2013 (cpl.co.uk)
The FIDI 35 Club Conference was reviewed in FIDI Focus online:
FIDI Focus - No.255 June/July 2013 (cpl.co.uk)
2013 - SWOT analysis performed and finalised in 2014 positioning both the Club and FIDI against other industry organisations.
2014
Caroline Mason elected as President
Sporting activity at the FIDI Conference in Singapore – Dragon Boat racing
2015
FIDI 35 Club Board visits Bertrams Junior School.
Sporting activity at the FIDI Conference in Cape Town – Sea Kayak with Penguins on Boulders Beach
Letter from President, Caroline Mason: FIDI Focus - No.260 April/May 2014 (cpl.co.uk)
35 C Conference focussed on customer service – ‘’Up your service’’.
The upper age limit changed from 35 to 40 years. The new FIDI 39 Club Logo is unveiled.
FIDI 35 Club party – included an auction for FIDI Charity, organised by Board member, Morgana Somers, with $4,000 raised for BJS.
2016
Armand Guillemoteau elected as President. FIDI Focus - No.273 June/July 2016 (cpl.co.uk)
5 classrooms and sanitation units built at BJS School, completing the project. FIDI Focus - No.266 April/May 2015 (cpl.co.uk)
Educational focus to the conference, with attendees earning 500 Academy career points and 500 career points for their company, by attending.
Sporting activity at the FIDI Conference in Geneva – Ice putting.
2017
Patrick Makurat elected as President.
Interview: No.278 April 2017/May 2017 (cpl.co.uk)
Introduction of the first 39 Club Past Presidents Breakfast. A valuable brainstorming session for the future of the Club.
Focus on communication with members. The Club worked with an external communications agency to enhance its offering and its appeal to young movers, to help grow the club membership.
Sporting activity at the FIDI Conference in Dubai – Camel Polo
Launch of FIDI social media pages – Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Operation Smile Honduras was chosen as FIDI’s next charity project. The FIDI 39 Club Board was actively involved with two charity committee members in selecting and implementing the charity project.
2018
Morgana Somers elected as President. Under Morgana’s Presidency, the first exclusively female FIDI 39 Club Board was elected.
2019
FIDI Conference, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Sporting activity at the FIDI Conference in Amsterdam – Plastic Fishing
Closing of Operation Smile Honduras - The FIDI Charity Committee closes the OSH charity project, having raised over 165,000 USD for OSH, funding surgery for 300 children from impoverished communities in Honduras, born with left clip and palate disorders.
Fred Bear is returned to the FIDI Office after being MIA for 8 long years and attends the conference in Amsterdam.
The conference focussed on building public speaking skills and eco-friendly practices for the moving industry.
The FIDI 39 Club launches its scholarship programme, to award an applicant making a positive impact in their local community or workplace with free attendance to the FIDI 39 Club conference for the winning applicant. Gabriela Humdiek (Liftvan, Argentina) wins the first Scholarship prize.
Launch of Global Green Initiative (GGI) in collaboration with IAM-YP and Lacma Next
During Morgana’s Presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the Club Board quickly adapted to the new virtual meeting world. Early on in the pandemic the Club hosted online sessions for members, helping the community to stay connected and to support members isolated during lockdown. This included yoga and cooking classes.
2020
During Morgana’s Presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the Club Board quickly adapted to the new virtual meeting world. Early on in the pandemic the Club hosted online sessions for members, helping the community to stay connected and to support members isolated during lockdown. This included yoga and cooking classes.
The FIDI 39 Club Conference was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The FIDI 39 Club gender report was released in collaboration with Gottingen University.
2021
Jessica Deutschmann elected as President, as no conference took place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jessica was elected as President virtually and immediately set to work to create online get-togethers and educational micro-events to bring members together during the pandemic.
FIDI 39 Club instigated and launched the guidelines on how to be environmentally sustainable.
Virtual Board Member elections are introduced so that more members have the chance to vote and not only the ones attending a conference.
2022
The FIDI Board focussed on building its strategy for the coming years, with FIDI 39 Club President, Jessica Deutschmann and FIDI 39 Club VP, Jackie Stouffer attending a brainstorming day session with EY Consultant, Isabelle Dumortier to identify the club’s strategic goals through to 2025.
The FIDI 39 Club Board established a regular meeting with the FIDI Board to aid collaboration, discuss ideas and to advance the club, according to FIDI’s vision and mission.
Sporting activity at FIDI Conference in Cannes – A sustainability focused beach clean and games in Cannes, in support of the Animal Fund, a charity dedicated to preserving marine life.
First time FIDI 39 Club President is allowed time to speak during the Roll Call to update all FIDI members on the progress and strategy of the Club.
Cristian Petersen of Argenvans wins the annual Scholarship award.
FIDI 39 Club launches its new FIDI Future Mentorship Programme.
2023
Jackie Stouffer elected as FIDI 39 Club President.
The FIDI Conference takes place in Bangkok, Thailand.
FIDI 39 Club launches its new FIDI Future Mentorship Programme.