Join us for all the events below during the two-day conference.

Wednesday, February 18
 

REGISTRATION

At the Registration Table, you'll check in, use the QR code to get to the event website, and pick up your registration items.

Be sure to get your:

• Event keepsake

• Registration bag

• Registration folder

We're happy you made it to the 2026 Van Line Summit & Awards Gala!

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​WELCOME REMARKS

Wheaton | Bekins CEO Jim Gaw (as of Jan. 1, 2026) and his leadership team will kick off the general session events with a message for the full audience.

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Vision for the Van Line – Jim Gaw, CEO

Financial Health of the Van Line – Kyle Patz, CFO

Tech for the Future – Christian Fordham, CIO

New Approach to Marketing – April Milner, VP of Sales, Marketing & Move Management

Business Growth – Fred McBroom, VP of Agency Development & Claims

Excellence in Operations – Kevin Miller, VP of Operations

Making Magical Memories at GKTW – Caroline Schumacher, CEO & President of Give Kids the World

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​​​​DAY 1 KEYNOTE

Breaking Through Barriers: Unleash Resilience, Determination and Growth for Unbounded Success – Johnny Quinn, former Winter Olympian and NFL player

Everyone faces barriers. Some are obvious. Others are hidden beneath the surface. In BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS, Johnny Quinn helps your audience recognize the roadblocks holding them back and equips them with the mindset and tools to move forward. Drawing from his remarkable journey from professional football to the Olympic Games, Johnny shares how setbacks, injuries, and detours became the very things that propelled him toward success. This keynote delivers more than motivation. It provides a proven framework built on three essential qualities: resilience, determination, and a growth mindset. These are not buzzwords. They are the tools leaders need to thrive in pressure-filled environments, navigate personal and professional challenges, and build meaningful momentum in life and at work. When leaders break through barriers, they do more than reach goals. They create stronger teams, healthier cultures, and better results across every area of life. 

Valve + Meter on Van Line Marketing – Marcia Barnes, CEO & Founder and Joshua Cook, COO of Valve + Meter

The van line undertook a rigorous national RFP process to find a new digital marketing partner to ensure more profitable initiatives for 2026. Leaders from the chosen agency will speak in this session about the opportunities they see, what they've already accomplished as a new partner of Wheaton | Bekins, and what agents can plan to see in the future.

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​Thursday, February 19

DAY 2 KEYNOTE

AI, The Profit Multiplier – Tracy Bech, Co-Founder of 60 Minute CFO

AI isn’t just for tech giants - today’s moving companies can leverage practical, easy-to-implement AI tools to drive profitability and streamline operations. This session demystifies what AI actually means for the moving industry, showcasing real-world examples of movers using AI to increase sales, improve customer experiences, and make better business decisions. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to get started with AI right away - no big budgets or IT teams required. 

Opportunities through Van Line Sales Programs – Paul Salmon, Eastern Sales Director, and Roger Wise, Western Sales Director

The van line's goal is creating more opportunities for our agents. Our leadership team constantly explores partnerships to make this happen. Through connections with eXp, Enhancify and NASMM, leadership has created programs such as Partners in Packing and Relocation Ready, with input from the regional sales directors. Paul and Roger will introduce the newer programs and offer an update on how the network has benefited so far from less recent initiatives.

Specialty Services Panel – moderated by April Milner, VP of Sales, Marketing & Move Management

Through the van line's partnership with NASMM over the past 15+ years, we've not shared best practices on moving older adults but also traded tips from the best of the best on handling white glove, specialty moves. Our panelists will offer their thoughts and experience on the topic: Chantale Bordonaro, President of Simplicity Source, Inc., Cameron Eversole, CEO of AMS Relocation, Inc., and Janine Sarna-Jones, Founder and CEO of Organize Me Inc.

An Agent's Secret Weapon – Fred McBroom, VP of Agency Development & Claims and Ryan Hegarty, Olympia Moving & Storage

Running a sales team isn't easy. Combine that with completing surveys, researching claims, and prepping your crews, and you might wish for a magic wand to get it all done. While we're still on the lookout for magic, Fred and Ryan will tell you why the tool used at Olympia makes all these tasks easier than ever before.

AI in Household Goods Panel – moderated by Christian Fordham, CIO

No matter what your day looks like, it's hard to go a full 24 hours without some sort of AI. Moving and storage might not be on the forefront of every technology, but in this case, we can all implement some piece of the new tool to make our teams more productive. Our panelists will offer their thoughts and experience on the topic, including Diana Corona, President & CEO of Enterprise Database Corporation (EDC); and Wonjun Jeong, CEO of Supermove.

Third Party Services Panel – moderated by Laura Pung, Director of Claims

When you need a third party services partner to delight your customers, you need a company you can trust. Laura and her Claims department team have worked with a number of third party partners over the years, and they've selected a short list of vendors who are responsible and easy to work with. Representatives of those third party services vendors will take part in the panel to share their experience.​​