ACE Relocation Nation
Designed to keep HHG Van Operators updated on industry topics that impact their ability to run a successful small business. Ace Relocation Systems is a leading U.S. moving, warehousing, and distribution company with coverage around the globe. For nearly 40 years, our family-owned business has provided unrivaled customer service to individuals, employee relocation programs, and commercial business clients. Our strength comes from our small-business heritage and customer-first philosophy combined with the services and technology that come from being the largest hauler for Atlas Van Lines. https://www.acerelocation.com/
ACE Relocation Nation
085 | Back from Italy, Into the Fire: Military Moves, Market Shifts & What’s Next
After his first-ever June vacation in 35 years, Dan Lammers returns from a two-week Italian adventure—only to dive straight into peak season chaos, major industry shakeups, and global uncertainty. In this episode, Dan shares personal reflections from the hills of Tuscany to the roundabouts of Florence, before pivoting to the pressing news rocking the moving world: the Department of Defense has pulled the plug on the Global Household Goods Contract.
Dan doesn’t hold back as he breaks down what this means for service members, service providers, and the future of the relocation industry. With his signature mix of straight talk, humor, and real-world insight, this is a must-listen episode for anyone connected to moving, logistics, or military life.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
- Why Dan took a June vacation (and why it might be his last)
- Driving in Italy: beep-happy rental cars and fearless roundabouts
- What led to the DoD contract collapse—and why it matters
- ACE’s crystal ball: how booking trends from April to June show what’s ahead
- Industry opportunities in the wake of failure—and how to seize them
- Thoughts on American pride, military families, and working through stress
- Plus: TV recs from Dan (yes, he finally watched The Morning Show)
🧭 Chapters
00:00 – Intro: Back from Italy, peak season at ACE
01:15 – Vacation overview: Tuscany, Pisa, Lake Como
03:15 – Driving in Europe: chaos, roundabouts & sensors
05:09 – Guilt over being gone during June
06:21 – Awe of historic architecture & Roman history
07:04 – Why they skipped Rome (heat + chaos)
07:26 – Major events while abroad: LA riots, Iran-Israel tensions
08:39 – Being American in Europe: no hate, lots of English
09:19 – Big industry news: DoD terminates global HHG contract
10:35 – Why HomeSafe Alliance failed
12:13 – Return to legacy military moving program
13:14 – Supporting service members through transition
14:24 – Daughter's June move (again!) with Golden Van Lines
15:29 – Crystal ball time: demand growth from April to June
18:33 – Managing 4M lbs of shipments: the summer squeeze
20:24 – Last-minute orders & consumer behavior shift
21:15 – Forecast: busy into August, hope for Sept/Oct
22:35 – 2025 vs. past years: a longer, more intense summer?
23:15 – Stress across teams, but optimism remains
23:56 – Quote from *Landman* + TV show recs
25:35 – Reflections on COVID-era decision making
25:52 – Closing: pride, purpose & arrivederci!
Subscribe to Ace Relocation Nation — hosted by Dan Lammers — the #1 travel podcast in the moving and storage industry.
📦 Let’s move some weight—and do it right.
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