JCtrans: Hello, Mr. Nils Walle. The Freight Summit is the first and only open networking event for all independent freight forwarders worldwide. Which do you think have been the keys to this success?
Mr. Nils Walle: The key to the success of The Freight Summit is for the Management and its staff to build long and lasting personal relationships with its partners as well as direct participants. Depth knowledge & experience in the independent freight forwarding industry are keys and this is recognized by the participants. We, the management, value strong partnerhsips with alliances and associations alike, just as we value the relationships we have with the individual freight forwarders.
JCtrans: How does The Freight Summit benefit the industry?
Mr. Nils Walle: The Freight Summit provides open and neutral networking platform for all freight forwarders and alliances as well as service providers. The fact that its open and neutral give the possibility for every forwarder to participate in a networking event usually reserved for 'members only' networks. The Freight Summit does not charge yearly membership fees. And this is how the industry sees benefit in participating at our events.
JCtrans: The Freight Summit made a great success in 2010. Then are there any differences in this edition? Or what innovations will The Freight Summit 2011 present?
Mr. Nils Walle: There are several innovations that The Freight Summit is providing: exclusive VIP Tables for selective forwarders, intimate and open networking sessions for business development, new screening processes in place to make sure reliable forwarders only are participating, as well as a basic payment protection for all attendees.
JCtrans: We know The Freight Summit will be held in Macao. Then how do you see the logistics sector development in Asia compared with that of some other areas?
Mr. Nils Walle: The Logistics sector will see most of its growth coming from the Asian region in particular China. This is why we have chosen Macao as a venue, due to close access to China, easy visa processing and excellent entertainment facilities for overseas guests. This is very important to overseas visitors.
JCtrans: What are The Freight Summit aims for the future?
Mr. Nils Walle: We aim to continue to grow The Freight Summit through mutually beneficial partnerships where networks/associations and groups like CLC, JCtrans and other networks can participate at our event with their members. We reward our partnerships directly by sharing part of the registration fees with alliances/networks. It¡¯s a win-win for all particpants where all partners also benefit financially from the partnerships we offer. One of our main development initiatives is to host several annual events within China, in strategically important Port Cities, as we have done in Ningbo with the TFS China event in May 2010, in conjunction with CLC and the Ningbo Port Association. The first TFS China event attracted over 250 forwarders and was labelled an instant success by local government officials and the Vice Mayor. |
