Dear THLG members,
we would like to inform you about an upcoming event of the Breakbulk industry.
We have recently completed our ExCom meeting in Lisbon where we had the chance to finalize more than 30 pending topics that needed our attention and action. Despite the long meeting hours, we accepted an invitation to meet with the Sales team of AntwerpXL. The purpose of the meeting was for them to promote the event and explain the goals of the exhibition’s management.
Although THLG has decided not to participate as exhibitors for 2019, we would like to share with all our members the letter we received from Mr. Mark Rimmer where he explains why AntwerpXL is the rising star in Breabulk events.
In case any member is interested in receiving more information on the event please contact Mr. Rimmer directly.
BRGDS
Elisabeth Cosmatos
Marketing Manager
THLG
Letter received from Mr. Mark Rimmer, Divisional Director, Easyfairs UK & Global
During my time as Event Director of Breakbulk Events (EMEA), I worked with a great international team (many of whom are no longer with ITE) and put a lot of effort in to developing the events. Both myself & the then MD, felt that the Europe event was getting to a scale where it was losing its focus on conventional breakbulk & the logistics thereof. At the same time, the new onwers in ITE had introduced an onsite exhibitor management process; whereby agency rebooking staff/personnel (who knew nothing about our sector), were directly responsible for the management of the exhibitors onsite at the event. It was my view that this was a terrible step away from focusing on customer needs & the sole priority became about rebooking revenue/square meters at the events, rather than customer needs & our service to the market.
I directly fed my concerns back to the ITE CEO & board following the move to Bremen but a Director saying we should limit growth & move back to a smaller venue (in Antwerp) for the good of the event, did not fit with the wider ITE PLC’s ‘TAG’ (Transformation And Growth) Strategy and ultimately is the reason I no longer work for ITE.
I strongly believe that Antwerp is the right place for an event focused on the actual logistics of breakbulk, roro & heavy lift. As you know; it is where a large proportion of European cargo moves through & is a great place to meet, relax & develop business relations. For that reason, I gladly accepted the role as Divisional Director at Easyfairs, managing this launch event & why I’m so passionate about bringing an event that caters to the needs of the market, back to Antwerp – I’m therefore happy to say; this also seems to be the sentiment of a number of key industry players who are supporting the inaugural 2019 event, with more influential stakeholders considering Antwerp exclusively for 2020 & beyond.
I will leave you with some key points that myself and the team have created & are dedicated to….We hope they sing to you & THLG will consider AntwerpXL for the future…
- Dedicated to customer centricity and customer care: This sector is customer orientated & deserves to be treated as such…We believe in building partnerships – Our customers are everything to us and deserve respect, care, & support
- Dedicated to building a more targeted event attendance: Unlike other events, AntwerpXL’s will vet its audience to focus the event on only those involved in the actual logistics. Free entry will be given to anyone an exhibitor invites
- Dedicated to holding an event in a location that is closer to the cargo: Antwerp has been the heart of the European market for years & continues to be where cargo owners/forwarders alike do their business – It makes sense to hold an event in Antwerp.
- Dedicated to keeping costs down: The rates for AntwerpXL are competitive and set to help with an improved exhibitor ROI – We’d prefer you spend money on hosting your customers, not on the space
If you have any questions, please let us know & we hope to see you all soon!
Best,
Mark.
MARK RIMMER
Divisional Director
Easyfairs UK & Global
