The excitement as I look ahead to this month, next month and the rest of the year is thanks to the optimism and hard work of everyone who has done their part to get vaccinated and to get things back to normal.*

*or whatever passes for it as we continue to emerge from pandemic behaviors

Here in Chicago, air cargo continues to remain busy as we see in the figures that the Chicago Department of Aviation shares with public and private sector stakeholders. There were a number of stories this week as well surrounding passenger screening figures at O’Hare and as someone who traveled for the first time post-pandemic last month, it was really an exercise in muscle memory – where to park, what luggage best fits the trip and needs and even ensuring the toiletries bag was stocked with stuff that – by and large – doesn’t come with an expiration date.

For the air cargo business, July 1st was a huge day. It was the day that the new screening requirements for freighter aircraft came into effect, and that’s the reason we picked it as the topic for our July luncheon featuring Lufthansa Cargo, Jeff Koehl of Global K9 Protection Group and IACAC Board Member Bill Gerst from PTS Logistics. Register now – we’ll feed you this time, albeit a Panera box lunch, and it’ll be a chance to talk about what’s happening in a non-SSI context.

Later next week, IAC’s going to the Dogs – the Chicago Dogs, specifically. Our first networking event back will be outdoors and socially distanced with the Chicago Dogs on Thursday evening. Tickets are still available as are sponsorships to help cover the event for your fellow attendees. Support the IAC, see people you’ve not seen for a while and we hope to see you on Thursday evening.

Most excitingly, we’re golfing next month again. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 10th at the Bridges of Poplar Creek. Get your early bird foursomes booked as well because we’re filling up quickly. Due to course limitations, sponsors will not be able to offer food on the course, but we will still have plenty of places for liquid libations sponsored by great companies like Alaska Air Cargo and others. Stay tuned “fore” more on sponsors – and be sure to stick around and please bring a raffle item to benefit the Scholarship Fund – because that’s what this whole thing is about, anyways.