It is a great honour to serve as the 85^th President of the Hamilton Transportation Club.  I look forward to meeting our members throughout the year at our educational meetings and events.  We do appreciate your continued support at all of these functions.  The Hamilton Transportation Club is a successful organization with a great history.  Our Club offers all our members the opportunity to gain knowledge about our industry and to make new acquaintances.  It encompasses all sectors of our industry that is beneficial to your business and the transportation industry in general.

We have had a couple of very challenging years in our industry.  We see some cautious optimism as we reach the halfway point of 2010.  Our Club continues to provide excellent value.  Our low membership fees, educational lunch meetings and special events continue to be the most affordable in the Industry.  Our operating overhead is very low and with thanks to the generous support of our members we are in good financial shape.  Our Club can continue to donate generously and provide much needed assistance to various local charities, hospitals, colleges and universities.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of this year’s Board of Directors and to all the preceding Board Members.  I thank them for their hard work and dedication and for taking time away from their businesses and families.  We’re a non-profit organization that couldn’t survive without these volunteers. We also rely on and appreciate the generosity of our sponsors.  These funds support many local charities in our community.

I am very proud to announce that we have recently set up the “Hamilton Transportation Club Student’s Bursary” at Mohawk College.  Thanks to the hard work of Linda Marshall, our $25,000 donation was supported by a substantial grant from the Ontario Government and is now a $100,000.00 self sustaining bursary.  The interest from this amount will be donated every year, in perpetuity, to a deserving student in the transportation industry.

This year’s events will start with the June Lobster Fest, which is being held on Friday June 25^th, at the Liuna Gardens in Winona, Ontario.  This is a great social event with a full buffet including lobster and steak.  After dinner you can enjoy the great sounds of live music outside by the lake.  Our Golf Tournament will be held at the prestigious Heron Point Country Club on Thursday, September 16^th.  This is a popular event, reserve your spot early, always a sold out event!  Our Annual Gala Dinner will be held at the Hamilton Convention Centre on November 11^th.   Our guest speakers will be entertaining and informative.   We have an educational luncheon on October 21^st, and we are proud to announce the CEO of The Hamilton Airport and Current Chair of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Richard Koroscil, will be our guest speaker.  Santa Claus has confirmed and will be attending our Christmas luncheon on December 15^th.

I’m proud to be a member of the Hamilton Transportation Club and to serve as this year’s president.  I look forward to seeing our members and guests at our various functions.  Together we will make 2010 successful and progressive.