What many had already expected has now become a certainty. The first joint event of TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum (ACF) and Messe München scheduled to be held in Miami this November has been canceled. It will instead take place in two years’ time: from 8-10 November 2022, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Prior to this, in the fall of 2021, both partners plan a substitute event in California, providing the air freight and supply chain community with a platform to meet, connect, learn, and embrace new business opportunities, both announce in a joint release on 05AUG20.
There seems to be no end to the cancellation of trade fairs. Air Cargo China was skipped earlier this year due to the Covid-19 infection risk, so was ITB Berlin, WIN Eurasia in Turkey,
Intertraffic Amsterdam, Intermodal South America, B-Travel in Barcelona, Italy-held Logistica, and, and, and.
The list of cancellations has now found another prominent victim: TIACA ACF and Messe München’s joint Miami event.
The risk for participants, exhibitors, or visitors of being infected while attending the show proved to be too high for the organizers, as Florida continues to be a hotspot for Covid-19, and this
is likely to last for months to come. The international travel restrictions, which make it very difficult for people from overseas to participate, are another reason for the organizers to calling
the show off, that was scheduled to be held from 10-12 November this year.
The preparations for the trade show had been well on track
Given the drastic impact the global Covid-19 pandemic currently has in Florida, ”we regret that holding the event this year is unfortunately not possible. With this, we also take into account
the latest feedback and interest of the industry, that is heavily affected by the current crisis, and decided to re-schedule for November 2022,” Gerhard Gerritzen, Deputy Managing Director
of Messe München explained.
The decision, to which there is no alternative, is all the more regrettable as this would have been the first joint event organized and held by Messe München and TIACA/AFC. Both inked a pact in
May 2019, agreeing that the joint biennial event will always take place in Miami. Focusing on a single location puts an end to the long-lasting practice of holding the ACF show alternately in the
Far East, Europe, the Middle East, or North America.
Alternative events
Despite the Miami cancellation, TIACA is still planning to host its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2020. Simultaneously, the organization continues its call for nominations for the Hall of Fame
and the Air Cargo Sustainability Awards. The AGM, which is the annual assembly of TIACA’s voting members, will be held as a digital event. The Hall of Fame, TIACA’s prestigious award for
outstanding air cargo heroes, is maintained this year, but the ceremony itself will be held at a later stage when the situation allows, reads a release.
”Air cargo has been absolutely essential supporting the global supply chains, including the delivery of vital shipments of medicine and supplies fast and safely. I am confident that the
opportunities the air cargo community is facing can help this industry come out of this crisis stronger, modern, and more resilient to future shocks,” affirmed TIACA Chairman, Steven
Polmans.
The Air Cargo Forum (ACF) is one of the largest and most important air cargo events in the world connecting industry leaders, offering a platform for exchanging views, and enabling future
business opportunities.
Heiner Siegmund
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