On Thursday, October 10th, Sterling Lexicon brought together the global mobility community for a dynamic event in Paris—the Mobility Olympic Day. We joined the event as sponsors with Deloitte, and the day featured insightful presentations, real-world examples, and engaging discussions.
The event kicked off with an eye-opening presentation from Deloitte on immigration laws. What could have been a dense, theoretical topic was made incredibly relevant, thanks to real-life use cases that showcased the complexities and challenges faced by mobility professionals. The session shed light on crucial immigration policies, offering practical insights for companies managing international talent.
Next, Sterling Lexicon took the stage with an unexpectedly lively presentation on the logistics of relocation. Attendees were surprised at how engaging a conversation around shipping container sizes — LCL, 20-feet, 40-feet, and 40-feet high cube — could be! While many of us don’t typically think of freight shipping as fun, the team managed to weave humor and practical tips into the discussion, making it an enjoyable learning experience.
One highlight of the day was a humorous analogy about packing fragile items. Imagine throwing a cardboard box filled with delicate objects down a staircase — just to see what happens. It’s a scenario many of us can relate to, and it drew laughter from the crowd. But more importantly, it highlighted the risks and precision involved in global mobility logistics.
The event also explored parallels between the life of a professional athlete and the world of global mobility. Diane Marie-Hardy illustrated these parallels beautifully — setting goals, managing expectations, staying ahead of the competition, and most importantly, surpassing oneself. The analogy was both inspiring and motivating, reminding us that perseverance and self-improvement are key, whether you're on the field or managing international relocations.
The day wrapped up with our presentation on housing — both short-term and long-term — and the impact of major global events on housing prices. The discussion touched on key factors affecting temporary accommodation, how companies can adapt, and what to anticipate when events disrupt the market. AIRINCer Emily recently published a blog on the Mythic Olympic Effect on Housing.
Overall, the Mobility Olympic Day was a fantastic opportunity for professionals to network, learn, and draw inspiration from the challenges and successes of others in the field. We look forward tom attending more events in the future.