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A R C H I V E S

Record Turnout in Bangkok

     A show to count on, as 377 representatives from 66 countries attended World Cargo Alliance (WCA) conference in Bangkok which ended March 1st. WCA said it has gotten the message and will open Shanghai, China branch office.
     As the WCA adjourned its fifth annual worldwide members meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, closing the three-day event, reportedly the largest, private gathering of independent freight forwarders ever assembled anywhere
     WCA President and founder, David L. Yokeum, told NewsFlash: “WCA is thrilled to be the channel through which its more than 450 member offices can fully participate in a global partnership unparalleled today among independent freight forwarders. The challenges we faced in successfully bringing off an event of this magnitude were substantial,” continued Mr. Yokeum
     “Member feedback was extremely positive and most every attendee felt that their presence was well worth the time and effort.”
     The three-day event, held at the 5-Star Dusit Thani Hotel, had a meeting agenda including presentations and discussions of vital issues facing transportation service providers such as the new 24-hour U.S. Customs manifest regulations, C-TPAT and recently introduced bonding requirements in China for NVOCCs. In addition, greater than 10,000 pre-scheduled individual meetings were held over the thirteen and one-half hours devoted to such member-to-member sessions.
     “These face-to-face meetings are a major benefit of the conference for members because they can each visit with so many companies at the expense of just one trip, rather than having to travel all over the world.”
     A portion of the general meeting agenda focused on programs that WCA members offer their clients, including neutral affiliated NVOCC All World Shipping, the group’s Gold Medallion member financial guarantee program, eTrackcargo.com tracking & tracing, WCA Cargo Insurance program, CostAid/ TradeAid freight rate/cost calculation and quotation software, and the ISO 9004 certification program being made available to all WCA member offices.
     As the final general session concluded, Mr. Yokeum announced plans to open a WCA branch office in Shanghai, China in order to better position the group to participate in the world’s fastest growing market. “World Cargo Alliance is fully prepared to make whatever investment is necessary to protect and expand the potential interests of our members and we believe that a WCA presence in Shanghai will benefit our members not only in China but throughout the entire world. The network already has an Asia Regional office in Bangkok in addition to its Miami, Florida USA headquarters.”
     WCA currently has 450+ member offices in 282 markets located in 103 countries .World Cargo Alliance on the web: www.worldcargoalliance.com

The Best Logistics Group

     “Logistics is that part of the supply chain process that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order.”
     Now ask yourself just one question. In the wide world of air cargo, have you ever read a better, more concise definition of logistics?
     If you are like most people, you already know what logistics is.
     But what can you do to learn more? Get next to this terrific organization is what you can do.
     They meet. They teach. They have a great website. They are not a trade group.
     The Council of Logistics Management (CLM) is a not-for-profit professional business organization consisting of individuals throughout the world who have interests and/or responsibilities in logistics and the related functions that make up the logistics profession.
     The organization holds meetings roundtables and other activities all over the place.
     Let’s face it. If you are going to compete in the world of tomorrow you better set aside some time and effort to get up to speed—both you and your people in logistics.
     And forget about attending some air cargo conference and thinking that you will get away with the two hour panel and learn something.
     CLM is for real, reachable and a reasonable answer to the most vexing question that you have right now, aside from slow business and lousy cash flow:
     How do I fit in the transportation world of tomorrow?
     Plus nobody is going to hit you over the head to buy anything. You pay your money, become a member (cost is a minimal $250.00 annually for a trailer load of benefits including research, sound advice and other news you can use) or stick your venturesome toe into what CLM does and that’s it.
     A great example of what CLM provides members is its unique program for students.
     Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are able to sign up for educational and professional opportunities.
     What’s in it for the students?
     At only $20.00 US annually, a basket of valuable benefits designed especially to meet the needs of those students with a keen interest in logistics!
     Eligibility is for all undergraduate and graduate full-time students
     Membership Year is September 1 through August 31, (Students joining in 2003 will have membership through August 31, 2004).

     When was the last time you found out about an organization making that kind of commitment to the transportation industry of tomorrow?
     The rest is up to you.
     Presumably while attending one or more of these CLM conferences or roundtable events, after the hard contact learning buzz, everybody kicks back and hoists a few.
     Picture yourself, drink in hand, circling the pool networking with the logisticians.
     Can’t get more 21st century than that.
     In May 2003 CLM roundtables from North America, Central America and South America will be expanding collaborative efforts beyond local limits as they merge their expert resources to host a “trans border” seminar addressing common international issues.
     The Seminar of the Americas is scheduled to take place on May 19-20, 2003 at the Doral Hotel in Miami, Florida. Spearheading the event’s organization are three roundtable advisors, Caesar Lavalle, Terry Goodwin and Walter Zinn. Representatives from other interested roundtables have been invited to join the planning committee and will be actively involved in the seminar’s development.
     These roundtables include Argentina, Brazil, Mexico City, Zona Noreste Mexico, South Florida, Columbus, Toronto and several others from regions in the Americas with a divested interest in Pan American trade.
     The focus of the educational sessions will be on global logistics in the Americas, including the concerns and issues of international trade that impact the participating countries.
     According to Caesar Lavalle, “the primary objective is to foster regional integration by bringing together logisticians from different countries to discuss practical issues that heighten or promote trade initiatives.”
     By offering a program uniquely focusing on operations and trade crossing Pan American borders, the Seminar of the Americas is considered by its initiators to be a giant step in making a stronger link in the global logistics chain and a “decisive step” taken by CLM toward globalization.
     CLM’s 2003 Annual Conference will be held September 21-24 in Chicago, Illinois at the McCormick Place-Lakeside Center.
     CLM has a membership of 10,000 women and men from a diverse, worldwide population.
     But if attending conferences is off your radar screen or even if you have just run out of stuff to read (heaven forbid) CLM has some deep-dish books and reports that can be viewed as essentials. "Securing the Supply Chain: Management Report (2002).”
     Securing the Supply Chain encompasses the general issues of preparedness and response to a classification of major events that are likely to disrupt supply chain performance.
     The complete white paper includes case studies, templates, and resource lists.
     Orders are accepted online.
     Member Price: $100.00 Non-Member Price: $150.00
     “The Shadow Organization in Logistics: The Real World of Culture Change and Supply Chain Efficiency (2001).”
     This research examines the phenomenon of culture in the workplace, and how this powerful force affects every level of the supply chain.
     Member Price $50.00 Non member price $100.00.
     The organization is located at 2805 Butterfield Road, Suite 200, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. Contact by phone at 630.574.0985, by fax at 630.574.0989, or by e-mail at clmadmin@clm1.org.

Previously Featured Club

     The Federation of Asia Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA) will hold its 29th Executive Council Meeting (ECM) in Sri Lanka on June 3 and 4, 2003 at the World Trade Centre, Colombo.
     The Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association, representing the freight forwarding industry in Sri Lanka, will host the FAPAA - ECM for the second time after a lapse of a year. SLFA says that it will attract more than 100 international and 50 local delegates for the event.
     Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and several senior Government Ministers have been invited and are expected to participate in the inauguration of the ECM.

It really doesn’t matter where you take an air cargo club picture, the look on faces as we get to kick back and watch the world go by is always much more relaxed than when we are attempting to keep it moving. As Sri Lanka Air Cargo Association hosted its annual party in paradise, spirits were lifted.

     FAPPA, a regional grouping of National Freight Forwarders Associations in the Asia-Pacific Region was formed in 1985, comprising the National Aircargo/Freight Forwarders Associations of Australia, Japan, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia Brunei, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
     Asia Pacific, now being recognized as the world’s largest airfreight market, FAPPA has a pivotal role to play in promoting and safeguarding the interests of main players in the realm of aircargo.
     SLFA is hosting the FAPPA-ECM 2003 in Colombo at a very opportune time, when the Government is vigorously pursuing a negotiated settlement to the 20-year long conflict, which has affected the country’s progress for a long time.
     The national airline Sri Lankan has undergone a significant fleet and route upgrading under its new agreement partnership with Emirates Group. Sri Lankan Airways is emerging at long last as a top line carrier in air cargo developing the long-held promise of Sri Lanka as a premier world gateway strategically located for impressive growth.
     Last year Sri Lankan hosted a very successful golf outing for more than 100 top agents and service partners, an event which will take place later this year.
     The Association considers this a unique opportunity to boost the image of Sri Lanka as a regional cargo hub and will make it a great success with the cooperation of the Government and the relevant government agencies. The two-day program includes presentations by several international agencies such as IATA, FIATA, Cargo 2000 and Country Reports from all member countries. The Association has also planned a number of pre and post meetings for all delegates and attendees to make their visit to Colombo a memorable experience.
     Contact: wwwslifa.com or e-mail to dhanusha@srilankachamber.lk or tel. +94-1-421754-47 Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Box 274, So Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka.

WE LIKE IATA

     Looking at the picture, The International Air Transport Association, IATA has lots of good ideas and is a calming influence, a voice of reason in an otherwise at times harried world.
     We like the fact that IATA is located in Montreal. We love Montreal.
     It’s a great compact city with fabulous restaurants and other places like the Chateau Frontenac, the greatest railroad-built hotel in the world.
     Montreal’s French restaurants are reason enough to cover IATA—an old reporter’s trick that goes something like:
     “Boss, gotta get up to Dorval— big doings at IATA today.’
     IATA has one affiliated organization Cargo Network Services (CNS) that we do not get altogether.
     What does CNS do aside from propel itself on the proposition that it connects the forwarder and airline?
     CNS does have an annual meeting at some Richey-Rich hotel with golf and dinners and mediocre-to-useless business sessions. The networking seems to work at CNS, but with everybody going broke, the tariff to have a chat seems stiff.
     But enough about CNS, except to otherwise gently suggest that maybe IATA needs to do more in the air cargo business.
     IATA has somebody working in cargo we think. But at 28 years of service in Air Cargo News and 5,000 hits a day currently on our four-month old site here www.aircargonews.com, we never hear from or her.
     Maybe IATA should come off the ‘I’ letter and change the name of the organization to ‘U’ATA?
     That might broaden horizons by helping IATA people think differently.
     But IATA puts out great manuals and books about the business including the one on shipment of dangerous goods.
     Speaking of Shipping Dangerous Goods By Air, IATA’s Conference in Miami at the Sonesta Beach Hotel April 29-May 1, 2003 is a must to attend. Everything you need to know and a bag of chips is beautifully arranged at www.iata.org/ice/ dg2003/index.htm.

CLUB NEWS

National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Inc. (NCBFAA) will be gathering for their annual conference in San Antonio Texas March 16-20 2003.According to NCBFAA President Fredrico ‘Kiko’ Zuniga, the four-day affair will be:“A terrific mix of business, social, educational and networking opportunities.”The good times begin on Saturday and continue through Thursday. But the meat of the order comes to bat Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, as Kiko said, with a varied program including an air cargo session Tuesday between 13:30 and 14:15.Title /theme for this year’s gathering at the San Antonio Hyatt Hill Country Resort is:“Securing The Future of International Trade.” Rooms are $224. Reservations (800) 233-1234.There is a spouse program, including a Margarita Style Show with The First Lady of NCBFAA Bobbie Zuniga (wonder if guys can attend?).Just prior to the big gala dinner, attendees will be feted under what promises to be a full Texas moon at 19:18 Tuesday with a cocktail party (where else) outside, to celebrate the event.Nothing is done half way in Texas.There will be a golf tournament, silent auction and other interesting and varied social events.NCBFAA will also temper the event with serious deep-dish day sessions covering several important aspects of transportation in the years ahead.“Bobbie and I look forward to greeting everyone,” said Kiko.Don’t be surprised if this lively couple invites everybody over for a traveler. Contact: www.ncbfaa.org.

MUST TO ATTEND

     The conference of the year for our money is FIATA’s Bali World Congress set for Bali, Indonesia September 20 - October 3, 2003. Nice idea that should clear up in a hurry, why you go to Indonesia after terror, just like you go to New York after the worst terror in history.Nothing will stop development of what, if you strung all the islands together, is the biggest country in the world.FIATA has been in business since 1926 and the old line, great, big organization has a first class-venue with several days of business and social contact enveloped by gracious Balinese hospitality set in a place which will take your breath away.Hosted by the Indonesian Forwarders Association (INFA), FIATA World Congress includes sessions covering the entire package including regional breakouts under the theme banner:“Forwarders In Logistics and Supply Chain.”INFA president Chris Kanter said, “We can’t wait to show the world the beauty and possibilities of Indonesia.”
     Somebody asked Richard Branson what he thought of Bali, as Sir Richard opened up some Virgin Blue service recently and Sir Richard replied:“I plan to vacation there in 2003.”
     But you can grab a week in paradise and write it off. Maybe even see Mr. Airline excitement on the beach.He’s right over there, where the action is.More info: www.fiata2003.org. Exhibits: sales@prisma-exhibition.com.