Introduction
The moving industry is in transition. With insurance costs climbing, labor challenges intensifying, and new technologies transforming operations, companies must adapt quickly. For independent movers—businesses unaffiliated with a van line—the journey is even more demanding. Yet, as recent events show, independents are proving they can not only survive but thrive by leaning on collaboration, advocacy, and innovation.
At the ATA Moving & Storage Conference 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee, independent voices took center stage. Hosted live on the Movified Podcast by Mark Hirschi, owner of Salmon’s Moving & Storage, the panel featured:
- Derrick Potter, Firefightermovers.com
- Brian Yarham, Eyringmovers.com
- Oded Carmi, Dnvanlines.com
- Jason Moyer, Moyerandsons.com
- Steven Reed, Bigleaguemovers.com
Together, these leaders explored how independents are reshaping the industry—from community service to lobbying on Capitol Hill. This article captures the lessons, strategies, and opportunities they shared for moving company owners, franchisees, and industry professionals.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- ATA MSC guarantees independents a permanent leadership role within its officer structure.
- The Independent Mover of the Year Award highlights companies making an impact beyond sales.
- Conferences provide networking opportunities that often lead directly to new contracts and revenue.
- Advocacy is essential—independent movers must unite to push for reforms on insurance and military contracts.
Table of Contents
- Independent Movers Claim Their Seat at the Table
- Community and Innovation: Lessons from Moyer & Sons
- Advocacy in Washington: Why ATA MSC Matters
- Networking ROI: The Hidden Power of Conferences
- Real-World Case Study: Membership ROI for Independents
- Collaboration Over Competition: A New Industry Mindset
- Why Choose Movified for Industry Insights
- Conclusion: The Future Belongs to Independent Movers
Independent Movers Claim Their Seat at the Table
For years, independent movers lacked formal representation in industry leadership. Decisions at national associations were often driven by van lines. That all changed with ATA MSC.
As Oded Carmi shared:
“We wrote the bylaws so that one of the three officer roles—Chair, Vice Chair, or Second Vice Chair—will always be filled by an independent mover.”
This means independents now have a permanent voice in guiding the association. It reflects a recognition that independents—often agile, customer-focused, and innovative—play a vital role in shaping the industry’s future.
Community and Innovation: Lessons from Moyer & Sons
The Independent Mover of the Year Award went tocof Moyer & Sons. This honor isn’t about job count—it’s about the broader impact a company has.
Criteria include:
- Community Service: Moyer & Sons runs food drives, supports women’s housing programs, and helps homeless families move into apartments with donated furniture.
- Employee Support: They guarantee hours during slow seasons and offer prepaid health benefits.
- Innovation: Transitioning away from paper, improving safety, and leveraging new tech.
- Industry Image: Active board involvement and leadership roles.
- Specialization: Their Senior Move Management Division grew from 3 to 77 employees in just five years.
Jason emphasized that success came from finding the right leader for this division and giving her room to excel.
Advocacy in Washington: Why ATA MSC Matters
For independent movers, policy decisions in Washington directly affect their survival. Rising insurance costs, uncertainty around tax deductions, and access to military contracts can make or break small operators.
That’s why ATA MSC’s advocacy is so powerful. With a lobbying budget larger than the NRA’s, ATA ensures movers are heard.
Each September, movers gather for the Call on Washington, meeting directly with legislators to push for:
- Insurance reform.
- Access to DOD and GSA contracts.
- Restoring the moving tax deduction.
“You can complain about insurance costs on Facebook—or you can show up in Washington and make change happen,” one panelist stressed.
Networking ROI: The Hidden Power of Conferences
The panelists agreed: networking delivers measurable ROI.
- Steven Reed (Big League Movers) modeled his business after industry leaders he met through ATA.
- Mark Hirschi (Salmon’s Moving & Storage) noted that friendships formed at conferences often evolve into mentorships and partnerships.
- Derrick Potter (Firefighter Movers) left Nashville estimating $750,000 in new revenue opportunities from conference conversations alone.
Networking isn’t about casual chats—it’s about building long-term alliances that shape growth.
Real-World Case Study: Membership ROI for Independents
Membership costs for independents are about $1,250 annually—a significant investment for small operators. But the benefits stack up quickly:
- National rate agreements with Penske and Ryder.
- Access to Affinity Programs that lower operational costs.
- Representation in federal policy negotiations.
- Networking opportunities that create direct revenue streams.
Still, participation is key. As Oded Carmi pointed out, vendor programs only last if independents use them. The bigger the membership, the stronger the negotiating power.
Collaboration Over Competition: A New Industry Mindset
A recurring theme was the shift from competition to collaboration. Independent movers are realizing that industry progress comes from working together, not against each other.
- Sharing leads across regions.
- Collaborating on community initiatives like Move for Hunger.
- Exchanging best practices on sales, hiring, and tech.
As Mark Hirschi noted:
“These friendships are different. They’re built on mutual respect and shared challenges. You can’t get that sitting behind your desk—you get it by showing up.”
Why Choose Movified for Industry Insights
Movified isn’t just a podcast. It’s a hub for movers, by movers. Hosted by Mark Hirschi, an industry veteran with more than a decade of leadership in North America’s moving sector, Movified brings movers inside the stories that matter.
Movified offers:
- Exclusive interviews with movers scaling multi-million-dollar businesses.
- Actionable strategies in sales, hiring, marketing, and operations.
- Peer-driven insights that help independents grow smarter.
- A community-first approach that prioritizes collaboration.
Conclusion
Independent movers are no longer outsiders—they’re industry leaders. From winning national awards to lobbying on Capitol Hill, their voices are shaping the future of moving.
The ATA MSC 2025 Conference in Nashville proved one thing: when independents come together, they create not only better businesses but a stronger industry.
“You get out what you put in. Show up, give back, and the industry gives back to you.” – Derrick Potter
Meet The Host
Mark Hirschi is the founder and host of Movified. With over a decade in the moving and storage industry, Mark combines real-world leadership experience with a passion for mentorship and elevating industry standards.
