Published on : Monday, October 8, 2018
The e-commerce boom and its effect on logistics, how Blockchain will deliver smart and secure supply chains, and the future of unmanned freight aircraft will also feature in the seminar and panel program of the three-day event, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
“We have been expanding our global reach and investing in new collaborative efforts in order to broaden the scope, as well as incorporate fresh insight into our 2018 ACF seminar program,” said Vladimir Zubkov, TIACA Secretary General.
“The program this year includes important topics looking at the challenges and opportunities facing airfreight and beyond, and we will also welcome the voice of leaders from across the spectrum of freight to see how we can learn from each other, find new ways of working together, and grow.”
The Forum will also see the welcome return of CargoLinX, the online ‘speed networking’ scheduling tool, which allows visitors to schedule up to thirty 25-minute meetings with leading air cargo companies ahead of the event, which went live last week.
TIACA has been strengthening relationships with other freight organisations around the world in order to advance more effectively on issues of mutual concern and expand the regional and industry base of the ACF.
The Association recently partnered with AMACARGA, the Mexican forwarders Association, which is sending a delegation to the event, and is also co-locating its 2018 ACF with the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA)’s 70th anniversary.
Other partners of this year’s event include the Federation of National Associations of Cargo Agents and International Logistical Operators of Latin America and the Caribbean (ALACAT), Americas Alliance, AGUNSA, Airports Council International, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the Airforwarders Association (AfA), and Neutral Air Partner.
The big themes on the packed seminar program are the digital revolution, Big Data, robotics and Blockchain.
Nicole Verkindt, the Canadian host of Dragon’s Den Canada and founder of OMX, will be among the panellists in the kick-off session looking at the digital transformation of air cargo supply chains.
In keeping with the new collaborative spirit, there will be a panel discussion on North American rail freight, with experts from, among others, CN and the Freight Management Association of Canada discussing how to maintain service quality and avoid overcapacity at a time of strong growth for the rail freight industry.
Another panel, led by transport and logistics advisory firm Global Logistics Development Partners, will explore inland waterway transport to see whether it is the “next big thing” for the supply chain industry.