The Pallet – Year-End 2025 Edition
Your Monthly Brief from the International Air Cargo Association of Chicago ✈️
✉️ From the President’s Desk
Dear Members,
As we close out 2025, I want to thank each of you for your continued engagement and support of IACAC. This year marked a special milestone as we celebrated our 70th Anniversary, and it has been incredibly rewarding to reflect on the strength, longevity, and collaboration within Chicago’s air-cargo community.
Throughout the year, we came together for educational programming, facility tours, networking events, and meaningful industry discussions. From Compliance Day to our Annual Meeting and Board Elections, and from the Golf Outing to our Holiday Luncheon, your participation is what continues to make this association thrive.
As we head into 2026, we look forward to building on this momentum with new programming, continued collaboration, and the same spirit that defines IACAC.
Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy, and successful New Year.
Warm regards,
Christina Aguirre
President, IACAC
📬 Newsletter compiled and edited by Victoria Rahmanovic, IACAC Communications Committee
🌟 Member Spotlight – Year-End Appreciation
As we wrap up the year, we’d like to recognize our entire IACAC membership. From airlines and forwarders to handlers, truckers, brokers, and service providers, our members are the foundation of this association.
Your participation, sponsorship, mentorship, and willingness to share knowledge continue to strengthen Chicago’s air-cargo community. Thank you for being part of what makes IACAC special.
🛫 IACAC News & Announcements
📌 Welcome New Members – December 2025
We’re excited to welcome our newest members to the IACAC family!
- Robert Pridgen — Tag-N-Trac
🔗 https://tagntrac.ai/ - Michael Bessonov — GBLC
- CargoSpace International
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cargospace-international
Please join us in welcoming these new members and connecting with them at upcoming events.
🎓 2025 IACAC Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 IACAC Scholarship, awarded to students demonstrating academic excellence and interest in aviation, logistics, and supply chain careers:
- Ava Strickland
- Aidan Hennesey
- Mackenna Case
- Jack Grigus
- Connor Crotty
- Julie Fisher
- Jocelyn Santiago
- Nicholas Cantrell
- Dominic Rizzo
- Gabriella La Quaglia
- Joseph Tader
- Jessica Hurtado
- Justin Hurtado
📢 Industry News & Updates – Year-End 2025
📈 Air Cargo Demand Reaches Record Levels
Global air cargo demand increased 4.1% year-over-year in October, marking the eighth consecutive month of growth, according to IATA.
🔗 https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/air-cargo-market-analysis-october-2025/
🔗 https://www.stattimes.com/air-cargo/global-air-cargo-demand-hits-record-high-in-october-2025-1357301
📦 Section 301 Tariff Exclusions Extended
The U.S. Trade Representative extended 178 product exclusions under Section 301 tariffs on China-origin goods through November 10, 2026, providing continued clarity for importers.
🔗 https://kpmg.com/us/en/taxnewsflash/news/2025/11/ustr-extends-product-exclusions-china-section-301-tariffs.html
🔐 Cargo Theft Highlights Ongoing Security Risks
Recent high-value cargo theft incidents underscore the importance of secure routing, monitoring, and strong partner networks.
🔗 https://www.businessinsider.com/lobsters-bound-for-costco-locations-stolen-logistics-ceo-says-2025-12
🚀 Hot Topics – Quick Scan
✈️ Air Cargo Resilience Continues — Demand growth persists despite uneven regional performance.
📦 Trade Policy Stability into 2026 — Section 301 extensions provide planning visibility.
🔐 Security & Compliance in Focus — Theft and risk mitigation remain top of mind.
📅 Upcoming Events
📆 2026 IACAC Programming Calendar — Coming soon
✈️ Air Forwarders Association (AFA) Conference
📍 Orlando, FL
🗓 February 26, 2026
📆 2025 IACAC Events Calendar
✅ JAN – Tour of UPS Facility (7th)
✅ FEB – Puttshack (13th)
✅ MAR – March Madness at Pop’s Pizza (20th)
✅ APR – Global K9 Screening Demo (10th)
✅ MAY – Cinco de Mayo Celebration (1st)
✅ JUNE – Chicago Dogs Game (12th)
✅ JULY – O’Hare Airport Tour (26th)
✅ AUG – Golf Outing (14th)
✅ SEPT – Oktoberfest (18th)
✅ OCT – Compliance Day (16th)
✅ NOV – Annual Meeting & Elections (20th)
✅ DEC – Holiday Luncheon (16th)
🎉 Culture & Community
📸 Photo of the Month
Our Holiday Luncheon 2025 brought members together to celebrate the close of a milestone year. Festive networking, year-end reflections, and prize giveaways made it a perfect conclusion to IACAC’s 70th Anniversary.
💡 Did You Know?
Air-cargo capacity out of East Asia increased by approximately 14% in October, marking the strongest post-Golden Week rebound on record, according to Xeneta Insights.
🏆 IACAC Event Winners – Free Membership Giveaway
Each month, we raffle off a free individual membership (or $50 toward a corporate membership). Congratulations to our 2025 winners:
🏅 FEB – Laura Candella, ArcBest
🏅 MAR – Lisa Hennessey, Avalon Risk Management
🏅 APR – Scott Bergbreiter, PGL
🏅 MAY – Jesse Maugle, AWA
🏅 JUNE – Dakota Palacios, Dakota Express
❌ JULY – No giveaway this month
❌ AUG – No giveaway this month
🏅 SEPT – Denise Cano, Yusen Logistics
🏅 OCT – Rebecca Masaitis, LSI Logistic Solutions
🎟️ Winner of a complimentary ticket to the AFA Conference (Orlando, FL — February 26, 2026)
🏅 NOV – Carlos Delfin, VP Logistics
📣 Stay Connected
📧 info@iacac.com
🌐 iacac.com
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🚀 Thank you for being part of Chicago’s vibrant air-cargo community — together, we move the world.
