IATA Resolution Worth Keeping

     Everybody in the air cargo business wants to go someplace where they can network with the right people and maybe even learn something.
     A trade show where the size of your booth doesn’t matter and you can measure results not by the amount of finger sandwiches the exhibit floor cruisers consume, but solid knowledge gained by rubbing elbows with the top industry executives and air cargo thinkers, not to mention a couple of long term shipping contracts gained by some meaningful face to face almost anywhere at the trade show venue.
     Think that kind of show does not exist?
     Think again.
     Right now IATA is assembling over 20 cargo events in one single gathering.
     The IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) set to be held in Rome, Italy March 3-6, 2008 promises to be the most important nuts and bolts working air cargo event of 2008.
     “WCS will concentrate on decision makers, key stakeholders, cargo specialists and business owners that will mix and share the latest knowledge, best practices and benchmarks around one theme: “Focus on the Customer,” says Aleks Popovich, IATA head of Cargo.
     Ready at the Rome Marriott Park Hotel Centre, WCS 2008 follows an outstanding first show last year that drew over 800 cargo professionals from around the world to the very first WCS in Mexico City.
     By the numbers last year the one-week global mega-conference assembled 13 workgroup committees, 8 forums, 2 plenary sessions, 140 speakers, 28 exhibitors and 12 sponsors in one single gathering.
     “The speakers in the plenary session were excellent.
     “The networking opportunities were outstanding.” reports Dean Rule, Apoderado General, Conectiflor
     “The opportunity to participate in multiple forums and network with leaders of the world’s top airlines was priceless,” said Brad Eyster, Global Account Manager, UPS.
     This year Giovanni Bisignani, Director General & CEO IATA, Archie A. DaSilva, Managing Director Jet-Speed Air Cargo Forwarder,Carsten Spohr, CEO and Chairman Lufthansa Cargo, Brian Pearce, Chief Economist IATA, Gene Tyndall, President of Supply Chain Executive Advisors, Mick Fountain, Chairman of C2K Board and CNS Advisory Board, Desmond Vertannes, Executive Vice President Etihad Cargo, Christopher S. Gopal, Ph.D., Director, Deloitte Consulting, and former Vice President, WW Operations, Dell Computer will join Aleks Popovich, Global Head Cargo IATA and many others March 3-6 in Rome.
     When you think about it, this initiative by IATA is something that the air cargo industry has needed for a long time.
     But finally yesterday is today.
     IATA Cargo 2008 is stepping up to the plate big time assuming command of moving air cargo center stage into a new era of understanding and cooperation by both fronting a top world gathering while initiating activity in all sorts of other directions to improve the industry.
     IATA Cargo is offering special deals and incentives for companies and individuals who register by January 18 including a chance to tool around Rome for a day in your own Ferrari.
     First New Year’s resolution?
     This one is not to be missed.
     More info: www.iata.org/events/wcs