ACE – Part 1

Munich-held Air Cargo Europe (ACE) was a mega event, from the very beginning until the venue closed its doors last Friday afternoon, ending four days full of impressions and information. “The 2017 ACE has been the best trade show we have ever experienced,” reasoned Rudolf Schmid, Deputy Exhibition Director of organizer Messe Muenchen GmbH, referring to the programs of high-profile conferences but also to the many positive reactions Mr Schmid and his colleagues got from participants. Read more >

The by far hottest topics announced and much discussed at ACE were the MoU for a strategic operational partnership signed between Cargolux and Emirates, followed by Antonov Airlines’ plans to build a global network of representations. Both topics were published by CargoForwarder Global right after they were aired last Tuesday (for more see reports on our site).
But apart from these two highlights, attending Air Cargo Europe, visiting the exhibitors, speaking with leading managers and joining the panels proved to be highly rewarding. ACE 2017 was a record event, contested by many participants.

Record number of ACE exhibitors
Over 220 ACE exhibitors had flocked to Munich for displaying their products from 9 to 12 May, informing about their services and offering visitors and clients their stands for chatting, networking and establishing new or deepening existing contacts.
The floors at Hall B1, where ACE took place, were entirely booked out, emphasized MUC’s Airport Director Michael Kerkloh in his keynote on the occasion of the official opening of the trade show. He went on to say: “Forget about video conferences and e-communication: the best business is generally made when people meet and talk with each other face to face.”
This is confirmed by participants as selected reactions compiled by CargoForwarder Global show:

Benjamin Riege, Director Marketing Riege Software, Meerbusch, Germany
“As company we have attended each Munich-held logistics trade show since 2005. So this year we are here for the seventh time which enables us to provide our opinion, which is extremely positive. Our stand was highly frequented by both existing clients but also attendees interested in what we are doing. In addition to these encounters we welcomed some media people here, resulting hopefully in reports about our business. Below the line I must say that our coming to MUC was worth the investment.”

Lim Ching Kia, Managing Director, Air Hub Development, Changi Airport Group, Singapore
Together with our partners Alliance 21, AVS GSA Group, SATS Ltd and Singapore Airlines Cargo, who exhibited at our stand. As a matter of fact we experienced a successful and well-invested time at Air Cargo Europe. The trade fair offers a great platform for networking, deepening existing contacts and closing new contracts. It is also a good opportunity to learn about the most important developments in the global logistics industry at conferences and meetings.

Jacqueline Casini, Director Communications, Lufthansa Cargo, Frankfurt, Germany
At the Transport Logistic trade show, Lufthansa Cargo presented product innovations and solutions for air freight. But, above all, the intensive and constructive dialogue with customers, partners and people from the media are much appreciated and highly rewarding cornerstones.

Klaus Jaeger, VP Air Freight Product Development, Trinity Logistics USA Inc.
“Munich is a major event for the entire Logistic and Transportation Industry –one of the best exhibitions in the world. An excellent place and occasion for networking with customers, carriers and partners during the entire show. Not to forget some very nice booths – with most of them being very busy from beginning to end. Even the weather was on the side of the organizers and participants because everybody enjoyed the sunshine during the breaks. I already look forward to the next logistics fair in Munich in 2019.”

Lars Wedel, Managing Director Sales and Marketing, Kuehne + Nagel, Frankfurt, Germany
“For Kuehne + Nagel, the Transport Logistic fair is the key platform to present ourselves on an international level. Here, we have the opportunity to conduct intensive and valuable customer discussions within a precisely timed period - whether with existing clients or new contacts. Taking this as main criterion, we have succeeded again this year.”

Heiner Siegmund