JFK Cargo Day March 27

     Once more, the Annual Air Cargo Association Air Cargo Expo at JFK International Airport comes to New York City on Thursday March 27, and surprise! Brandon Fried is not the guest speaker.
     But that is probably because the Airforwarders Association (AFA) where the always-interesting Brandon serves as president will be conducting its annual event a few days later in Orlando, Florida.
     Willie Mercado, the top Aer Lingus Cargo executive in the U.S.A., reports that the “guest speaker will be Des Vertannes, (left) IATA Head of Cargo. The event involves a grand luncheon at Russo’s On The Bay in nearby Howard Beach.
     Mr. Vertannes, hot off of hosting the IATA annual love fest, the World Cargo Symposium in Los Angeles, March 10-13, will no doubt have some stirring news from his own illustrious event to share with the JFK faithful.
     We like JFK Air Cargo Day as it brings out the best of what has always made the airport great—the people who lead the air cargo business serving the greatest city in the world.
     No silly awards and self-congratulating clutter to get in the way, either.
     There are discussions, meetings, networking, some display booths, a nice luncheon, and the Des floor show—that’s it.
     From 0900 until 1500 March 27, JFK is the place to be.
     “I am more involved than ever,” said John Ryan (right), Hawaiian Air Cargo, who was recently elected to the JFK ACA Board of Directors.
     “Change is afoot in air cargo from the much-discussed modal shift, to the need to accelerate development of e-freight, and also upcoming security deadlines, including ACC3.
     “The organized gateway groups from Singapore to Colombo to JFK and Frankfurt take on increasing importance as communication and harmonizing air cargo have never been more important,” Mr. Ryan emphasized.
     A quick look at the makeup of the JFK Cargo Association underscores what John says.
     People like John and the aforementioned Willie Mercado as well as Joseph Badamo (current JFK ACA President) Rudy Auslander, Mike Bednarz, Dolores Hoffman, and others are people that for years have put themselves out for the common good, at times irrespective of their own priorities, to support airport cargo business.
          For more about the 2014 edition of the JFK Cargo Expo, including opportunities to display and sponsor, click here.
     Not to be missed.
Geoffrey