Marketplace for intermodal solutions

November 14, 2022

• Over 5,900 trade show attendees in three days
• Americas of international interest
• Logistics chains in international focus

Broad and with depth: 220 companies and organizations from 31 countries attracted more than 5,900 decision-makers, specialists and young professionals from business and logistics. For three days, Miami Beach was an international marketplace for intermodal logistics solutions. On November 10, air cargo forum & transport logistic Americas closed with a well-attended career day for young professionals.

"The future of logistics lies in cross-modal supply chain thinking. In close cooperation with Messe München, we have developed an international platform for knowledge exchange and business contacts around our established air cargo forum with transport logistic Americas. We are more than satisfied with the result and truly pleased with the feedback of our members and exhibitors," comments TIACA Chairman Steven Polmans. The event duo air cargo forum & transport logistic Americas, which takes place in even years, has conquered its place in the international trade fair scene. It is the only intermodal trade show in the United States.

Focus on geopolitics and the environment

Worldwide, logistics is suffering from bottlenecks and challenges. Geopolitical conditions and climate change are exacerbating the situation. What counts is customer focused solutions, digitalization, operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact. With 220 exhibitors in eleven categories, the show featured international partners for intermodal supply chains. Among exhibitors and visitors, the U.S. was most strongly represented. Among the international exhibitors, Germany with 47, Canada with 15 exhibitors, and Italy and the UK with eleven exhibitors each occupied the top three spots.

"The trade show is ideally placed in Miami. European and German companies find particularly quick access to business partners in the USA and throughout the Americas. We have experienced the fair as a melting pot for personal contacts. Intercontinental business relationships for tear-proof logistics chains have been established," says Oliver Luksic, who as Parliamentary State Secretary from the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transportation accompanied a delegation with a joint booth under the umbrella of the “Your German Logistics” initiative.

Ambitious goals achieved

With a total of 5,900 visitors from 78 countries, air cargo forum & transport logistic Americas achieved their ambitious goal. 70 percent of the visitors came from the Americas, of which 60 percent from the USA and Canada. Among international visitors, Germany, the UK, Mexico and Brazil led the way. More than three quarters of the visitors were C-level decision-makers or executives. A very well attended conference, run in conjunction with the trade show, featured 90 industry leaders in engaging debate across 22 sessions.

Turhan Özen, Chief Cargo Officer at Turkish Airlines: “We feel delighted to have participated in the air cargo forum which brings aviation professionals from all over the world and world-class speakers together. Thanks to the meetings and speeches which probed one by one into each aspect of aviation, we obtained a good deal of new information and explored substantially effective solutions, during the three days. We not only expanded our business network further but also explored new business opportunities.”

Tobias König, Co-CEO, Rhenus Air & Ocean: “Our participation as exhibitor at the air cargo forum & transport logistic Americas opened many doors for us in the Americas market. Relevant decision-makers from various industries and carriers were on hand for targeted business meetings. This exhibition was a perfect platform for us to showcase our global brand and engage with potential clients and network with carrier partners throughout the region to highlight our global capabilities.”

Trade show as meeting place draws

Driven by the experience of Messe München, the joint stands in particular were also well received. Four small and medium-sized companies presented themselves at start.hub logistics. Logistics regions such as Miami, Puglia or countries like Germany bundled access to new contacts. At the career day as well as in special sessions, the industry showed how diverse the career opportunities in logistics are for young professionals and career changers or especially women.

“With a doubling of the exhibition space and almost a tripling of the number of visitors compared to the previous event in Toronto in 2018, not only the importance of trade fairs after the pandemic was impressively demonstrated, but also a sustainable impetus was given for future development,” Steven Polmans adds. “The trade show duo is becoming a working space for international meetings and a place where solutions for intermodal logistics chains are developed together," notes Dr. Robert Schönberger, Director transport logistic exhibitions at Messe München.

For more information on the show, visit tl-americas.org.