In the game of cards, the Ace of Spades has two paradoxical meanings: it’s the card with the highest value, but it’s also the death card.
     Topic A at Air Cargo Europe (ACE), taking place in Munich, Germany, as part of Transport Logistik from May 5th to May 8th, raises the question of whether ACE will be the trump card of 2015’s cargo events, or another joker wrapped up as a super- sized industry event.
     It’s big, all right, this air cargo industry event that seems surrounded by all modes of transport and is taking place in the enormous venue, Messe Munchen.
     But let’s get down to what ACE is about, and wonder politely: will it deliver?
     ACE’s self-appraisal on its website is not really encouraging:
     “Air Cargo is the most important centrally located business platform for the air cargo sector,” the website proclaims.
     But what does that say? Air cargo is a business platform?
     “This is where international air cargo professionals come to network, make new contacts, develop upcoming markets and explore joint business potential.
     “This four-day event is an essential platform for key players in all areas of logistics – serving their information needs and paving the way for strategic decisions.”

ACE Is About Europe

     ACE is and has always been an event centered on German and European aviation. While it is an important event, and even though you may find the true “key players,” ACE may be more fertile ground for those self-proclaimed executives who develop “upcoming markets.”
     The exhibitors (aside from multinational equipment manufacturers and IT companies) are largely from Europe, plus airlines and other companies from Asia and the Americas with sizable European business.
     We think what actually makes ACE noteworthy is its integration with the Transport Logistic Fair, that is again—according to the ACE website—“the world(s) leading trade fair for logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain management.”
     While ACE and Transport Logistics together may expect in excess of “50,000 visitors from 110 countries,” that makes it rather a mass event and not a domain of key industry players.
     Indeed, the keynote speakers at the ACE conference support the conclusion that this event is centered on Europe—which is certainly nothing bad.

Before The Crowds Set Up Day At Air Cargo Europe Monday May 4, 2015

Spotlighting The Conference

     The ACE Conference taking place on Wednesday May 6th will see Alexis von Hoensbroech, newly named board member Products & Sales of Lufthansa Cargo AG speak on the topic of “Future of Air Cargo.”
     There will also be a panel discussion—“eCommerce in Airfreight: Possibilities and Priorities”—that will present viewpoints from Guillaume Drucy, head of Cargo e-Business Management, IATA; Tim Scharwath, executive VP Air Logistics, Kühne & Nagel; David Yokeum, president, WCA Ltd, and others.
     Another panel discussion, “Advance Data – Is the Industry Ready?” moderated by the omnipresent Enno Osinga, SVP Cargo Schiphol Airport, will see panelists from the UPU, European Commission, and Air France / KLM discuss the state of the industry’s readiness to provide shipment data.

Awards, Awards, Awards

     Of course, ACE is another event that would not be complete without handing out various awards, such as the Airfreight Forwarder of the Year, Air Cargo Handling Agent of the Year, Air Cargo Charter Broker of the Year, Airport of the Year, Air Cargo General Sales Agent of the Year, Air Cargo Industry Customer Care Award, Air Cargo Industry Achievement Award, Information Technology for the Air Cargo Industry Award, and Cargo Airline of the Year.
     We will keep our readers posted in the unlikely event that someone other than the usual suspects should be awarded with something.

Gala La La Dinner

     Also to be expected is the usual Gala Dinner alongside the aforementioned awards ceremony.
     However, this dinner is taking place in the hotel “Bayrischer Hof,” known for its upscale wining and dining.
     So amongst the overtaxed, eager, and maybe overly excited at the prospect of winning or losing, there’s hope that at least the food will triumph and perhaps even exceed the substandard offerings of this year’s IATA WCS in Shanghai.

Top Rated Exhibits

     One of the true reasons to visit ACE is the abundance of exhibitors. This year, 2,040 exhibitors from 62 countries have registered and will occupy nine exhibition halls and a total of 110,000 sq. m. of outdoor exhibition area, showcasing “all the latest trends and developments all along the value chain in the sector.”
     An important focus of the exhibitions will be on digital products and solutions—199 different IT companies filling the entire expo hall B2 will provide a complete portfolio of cargo-, transport-, and logistics-based IT solutions and the newest hardware, making these tasks faster, more effective, and more transparent.

Variety & Then Some

     What also makes ACE Munich worth your attention is the complete array of cargo- and transport-related services and products, and its clear focus on Europe.
     That actually is beneficial—you meet your target clients and competing peers as well as providers or virtually any service an airline, GHA, GSA, GSSA, forwarder, or logistics provider might need, and it gives a good overview about what is new in terms of products and handling.

The Takeaway

     ACE is not, however, about policymaking and driving the industry further.
     ACE is all about the meet and greet, an exchange of wishes and business cards, and looking at what one’s preferred supplier has showcased (and looking at the price tags of the not-so-preferred suppliers for the next round of purchase negotiations).

Catch A Moment

     A number of briefings scheduled by exhibitors will certainly prove some interesting insights about the air cargo business:
     Dirk Reich, Cargolux CEO and Yuan Shengbo, deputy director of HNCA will explain CV’s “Dual Hub Strategy & Advantages of the Boeing 747 as a partner for the Global Supply Chain,” Air Charter Service will provide insight into “Enhanced On Board Courier Service: Air Charter Service invests in global product,” and the Rhenus Group is holding a press conference about "Russia traffic in crisis? Changes bring new flow of freights,” while Jettainer, the ULD leasing company, presents their new global repair concept for ULDs.
     Although rather specific topics, it is also safe to say that among 50,000 or more attendees, each briefing will attract a sizable number of interested parties.
     With plenty of beer, weisswurst, and pretzels in supply, the only thing that could prevent the cargo-centered businessman from having a good time in Munich is the weather, which for this time of the year is cool and rainy.
     But the hope is even the weather this week in Munich may have an ACE up its sleeve and behave itself.
Jens