The biennial air cargo Europe, part of transport logistic, is making its return and the Covid enforced break reminded people why they valued the exhibition so much. Taking over Hall B1 and part of Hall B2, air cargo Europe is in a convenient location next to the West entrance, which has useful train links via Messestadt West station.
Robert Schönberger, Head of transport logistic and air cargo exhibitions is looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Munich, saying, “I think the pandemic has shown very clearly that videoconferencing and the like have many advantages and will continue to be part of our everyday lives, but that people still prefer direct contact - not only in private, but also in business, where people want to look each other in the eye and shake hands in a business deal.”
When the pandemic struck, there were predictions that business travel was over and no one would be hosting exhibitions again. When conferences and exhibitions restarted in the second half of 2021, it became clear that that prediction was wrong, people wanted to network and do business in person and virtual events are just not the same.
In its research, the transport logistic Trend Index surveyed more than 2,500 service providers, shippers and equipment suppliers and two-thirds said the importance of industry events remained the same and one in two indicated that they will become even more important.
Schönberger comments, “We are really very happy that the platform we offer here is so popular and receives so much positive feedback. We are surprised that the exhibitors don’t seem to have a real need for hybrid or digital offers. But it confirms to us: people want to meet in Munich.”
The 2019 transport logistic show welcomed over 2,300 exhibitors from 63 countries and regions and 64,000 visitors from 125 countries and regions. When planning this year’s event, the team set themselves the team of occupying ten halls again with the option of reducing the number if required. The opposite turned out to be true with the space being completely booked up, exceeding 2019’s results.
The air cargo industry faced incredible challenges during the pandemic, working out how it would operate when the world was in lockdown. Quickly, it pivoted its business and showed how agile and resilient it is by keeping supply chains and the world moving. After the initial shock, cargo volumes were soon above pre-pandemic levels until early last year when the cycle ended and demand returned to normal.
Schönberger says the falling demand has not affected interest the show, saying, “I think our customers are used to the very volatile market. This platform in particular, which enables exchange with customers, is also an important building block for securing business for the future. Cargo is a very customised product and here, too, we need human relationships.”
He laughs off the pandemic prediction that it was going to be the end of exhibitions, pointing out that people have long been declaring that they will soon be obsolete so the prophecies of doom were nothing new.
Not being able to attend events made people appreciate them more, with Schönberger commenting, “It is more than just a confirmation for us that transport logistic and air cargo Europe are firmly anchored in the calendars of logistics companies as important events. We strive to provide a high level of service and treat all of our more than 2,000 exhibitors equally. I believe that the customers appreciate that.”
The 2023 event will be welcoming VIPs including Federal Minister of Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, and the Bavarian State Minister for Housing, Construction and Transport, Christian Bernreiter opening the event and there will be an interesting conference programme discussing issues in all parts of the logistics sector.
The conference programme and the air cargo Europe halls are great draws but not the only reason to go. Schönberger has his personal recommendations, “The event is certainly also characterised by the social aspects: Hospitality and events or parties with music and catering. My personal tip to the air cargo community is: go through the rest of the fair and into the other halls. You will be impressed by all the exhibitors and their products.”
This article was published in the April issue of Air Logistics International, click here to read the digital edition and click here to subscribe.