OMNI (Overseas Moving Network International) held its annual conference in Savannah from 29 October to 1 November.

The event was held at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside District Hotel, on the banks of the Savannah River with great views of the Savanah port. This was the first time OMNI had held a face-to-face conference since 2019.

The conference opened with a welcome reception at the Myrtle & Rose rooftop terrace - a spectacular venue offering wonderful views of both the river and the city of Savannah.

On Sunday delegates were taken on a boat trip to Page Island, a small chain of islands in the Savannah River delta where they sampled local Savannah delights, an Oyster roast and a low country boil (which is a south-eastern version of a New England clambake). 

The Gala Dinner was held at The Olde Pink House, which is supposed to be haunted, in the heart of Savannah. Entertainment came from the Equinox Jazz Orchestra which describes itself as ‘a fiery hot and soulful Southern big band providing great American music at its finest’.  

The conference included a full programme of business sessions, with Chuck White from IAM (International Association of Movers) providing the key opening presentation on Sunday, giving delegates his views on the current state of the global relocation industry.

Chuck was followed by Philippa Robinson from Robinsons in the UK, presenting a panel discussion on Reconnecting - The Human Factor, with Ben Ivory (Graebel), Laura Busettini (Vinelli & Scotto) and Andy Marshall (Asian Tigers Bangkok) giving their views on how the pandemic had affected the working patterns in their businesses.

On Monday, Susan Gardner of Georgia Ports gave a presentation on the scope of Georgia Ports activities with a particular focus on recent logistical problems in global container shipping. Julie Blanford from the US Government GSA spoke about the procurement process for US Government relocation business. Finally, Richard Kessler, the developer of the JW Marriot Plant Riverside District, described how he turned a derelict early 1900s power plant into a luxury hotel resort.

The next OMNI conference will be held in Da Nang, Vietnam in April 2023.

Photos: Delegates at the 2022 OMNI conference.