Busy St. Louis Regional Employee Relocation Council elects newest board member, Brad Laspe

Because St. Louis is home to 15 Fortune 500 world headquarters, corporate housing is an important local industry. Brad Laspe, of VIP Corporate Housing, has just been elected to the board of the St. Louis Regional ERC. The Worldwide ERC is the leading industry organization devoted to employee relocation and workforce mobility.

(PRWEB) March 4, 2004 -- According to the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (ERC), the average cost to transfer a home-owning employee is over $65,000. Even with economy woes and still-low employment rosters, employer-assisted relocation is a big industry, with an estimated 450,000 domestic and 394,000 international relocations annually, according to ERC statistics. St. Louis is home to 15 Fortune 500 world headquarters and 11 more from the Fortune 1000, making it seventh in the nation for a desirable headquarters location for Fortune companies. It also makes employee relocation a top concern for leading HR executives in the area.

As more predictors of a rising economy dot the news and the horizon, the antsier area relocation specialists become. One of the most notable relocation organizations in the area is the St. Louis chapter of the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council. The ERC is an organization devoted to employee relocation and workforce mobility for professionals who oversee, manage, or support U.S. domestic and international employee transfer," with over 10,000 service industry members.

Because the ERC estimates that temporary living during an employees relocation account for nearly 7.5% of the total relocation costs to the employer, the experience and input of corporate housing professionals is a must-have presence for the St. Louis ERC Board of Directors. With over 10 years of experience in the St. Louis housing and relocation industries and an active presence in the nationwide relocation community, Brad Laspe, Sales Manager for VIP Corporate Housing, was a natural choice for the St. Louis Regional ERC board for 2004. Laspe is a St. Louis native.

Due to the influence of Laspes sales initiatives over the past several years, VIP was named one of the St. Louis Business Journals fastest growing private companies for 2003. According to James Lich, founder and president of VIP Corporate Housing, [Brad's] foundational customer-service ethic and sales background combined with his experiences in family and corporate housing culminates in a four-fold asset for the St. Louis board. Further, he is motivated, innovative, and, most importantly, productive, which is a rare combination of character traits."

"I look forward to the time I devote to the ERC, both locally and nationally," Laspe said. Sharing experiences and ideas, discussing market trends and local issues, and networking with others in the corporate relocation industry are all very important to me. My board membership will provide an outlet and a tool for progress, development and growth."

I am especially excited about 2004, as everything I see indicates a fantastic year for St. Louis employment. Were a prominent city, a growing city, and I feel that St. Louis is going to lead the rebound for the national economy. Here in the Midwest, weve got a hometown spirit that keeps people motivated and encourages job growth. As a St. Louis ERC board member for this year, I can offer experience and ideas that will impact the growth of St. Louis business and community, influence the development of the corporate housing industry, and increase the service levels that relocating individuals, families, and employers receive. To be in step with the industry, community, and economy at this time, as we leap forward... Its very exciting."

ABOUT VIP CORPORATE HOUSING
Since 1997, VIP Corporate Housing has dominated the corporate housing service market in St. Louis, serving nearly 250 families, businesses and individuals each month. Beyond the greater St. Louis metropolitan region, they regularly provide short-term, furnished housing solutions for clients throughout Missouri, Illinois, and worldwide as a member of the Bridgestreet Global Partner Network. Superior service, local staff and a willingness to go above and beyond are the mainstays of what has made VIP Corporate Housing a trusted provider for homebuilders, relocating families, Fortune 500 companies, and traveling professionals. www.vipstl.com