Around the World

The “Around the World” celebration, which featured a night of cocktails, dinner, and prizes, spotlighted our “globalization of AIT” initiative and the countries with which we’ve built global partnerships. “This year’s Customer Appreciation Event was the best to date,” said Vaughn Moore, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “I have heard so many wonderful responses from both customers and employees.”

Claudia Barton, Sales Representative, agrees. “The customers had a great time, the food was excellent, the gifts were generous, and the entire event was well organized and exemplary of AIT.”

In an effort to express a “world of thanks” to our customer base, AIT raffled off approximately 75 cultural artifacts which were donated to us by countries that have joined our Global Reach Alliance partnership program.

“The event made both AIT and our International Division look like a winner in every respect!” said Paco Engels, Managing Director, Global Freight Management Division.

Four of the athletes from our sponsorship with the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) were also in attendance to mingle with guests as they gear up for the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Silver Women’s Skeleton Medalist Lea Ann Parsley, Silver Men’s Bobsled Medalist Todd Hays, Olympic Men’s Skeleton athlete Chris Soule, and Olympic Men’s bobsled athlete Ivan Radcliff posed for pictures with guests in the bobsled that resides in the lobby of Corporate Headquarters.

v“It was an evening that will always linger in my mind with all the neat prizes and Olympic stars,” said U.S. Autotype customer Chris Papierniak.

Memorabilia from the sports of curling, bobsled and skeleton was also on display for the guest’s enjoyment, courtesy of the 1932 &1980 Winter Olympic Museum in Lake Placid, New York. Some of the items exhibited include a 1932 Curtis Stevens helmet, the 1980 Gold Medal, and the Olympic Torches from the 1980 and 2002 Winter Games. Casing for the torches was designed by an AIT customer, Petersen Brothers Plastics in Chicago, IL.

“It was great to meet everyone, and it was a wonderful event,” said customer Paula Daubach, an Inventory Specialist from SEPS, Inc.

“It was quite enjoyable and very exciting for my team… what a wonderful surprise and very generous gifts from AIT!” said Patricia Stocke, Assistant General Manager of TheMIGroup.

A “world of thanks” goes out to the USBSF and the United States Curling Association for sending sports paraphernalia that made this event truly unique. Additional thanks goes out to Nimlok-Chicago for constructing the global display booth. Last but not least, a heartfelt thanks to the customers, whose continued support and loyalty made the event possible!