(1888PressRelease)
February 15, 2008 - SITL, the leading European event in the transport and logistics industry, will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in Paris from 11 to 14 March 2008. In the following interview, Alain Bagnaud, Chief Executive for the Logistics and Marketing Department at Reed Expositions France, presents the event.
A few weeks before the opening of SITL Europe 2008, can you give us an initial assessment?
We will achieve, or even exceed, the objective of 800 exhibitors, representing all sectors in transport and logistics. The event will present an exhaustive view of the market, not only in France, but also in Europe, with 35% of exhibitors coming from outside France. Attendance should exceed 37,500 participants (OJS certified) and the proportion of international visitors, which grows continuously, will reach 15%. All these things make SITL a key reference point. Twenty five years after its creation, it is Europe's major event in the transport and logistics sector.
If you had to pick out the main features of this 25th trade event, what would you choose?
Two things spring to mind. The first concerns the international perspective, strengthened this year by a net increase in the number of delegations – from the Netherlands, of course, and most of the major European countries in logistics (Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain), as well as from North Africa, Russia, China, Korea and Chile. The visitors also reflect this international feel, with more than 80 countries represented from across Europe, North Africa, South-East Asia and the Americas. The conference programme is also becoming increasingly international, with the participation of high-level speakers such as Michael Proffitt, CEO of Dubai Logistics City, and Scott Price, CEO of DHL Express Europe.
The second thing I would choose relates to the increased participation of transport SMEs, both from France and the rest of the world, which will be 50% higher in 2008 than in 2006. These companies will be found in the SME Club, on the Federations' stands, and integrated into the regional delegations. This trend reflects a demand from participants who want to expand the pool of their service providers.
The Netherlands is this year's special guest country. What does this mean in practice?
First of all, there will be a strong political presence. Camiel Eurlings, the Dutch Minister for Transport, will open the trade show with Dominique Bussereau, the French Secretary of State for Transport, and will also chair the inaugural debate on The new worlds of logistics: what challenges face companies? Furthermore, it is our pleasure to welcome the extensive participation of Dutch companies, with over 15 of them represented, including Emons Cargo, Mammoet Road Cargo, Vos Logistic, De Vries Jonker and, for the first time, the Port of Rotterdam. In order to make this presence more concrete, visitors will be offered a suggested circuit for their visit listing all the Dutch exhibitors.
What special events will take place during the show?
The first major event will be the Russian Day. This will be an opportunity for meetings between managers of Russian and European companies on the theme of Russia and Europe, a common logistics space. Several conferences will shed light on this subject, with topics including Attractiveness of logistics investments in Russia, and Integration of Russian infrastructures into Europe’s transport system. This day, the objective of which is to promote Russian services and expertise in logistics, has already been held once before at SITL Asia 2007, on which occasion it brought together 300 participants.
The second key feature will be the demonstration area of 500m˛ called Tomorrow's warehouse, created in collaboration with ABCD, a construction logistics company, which will be used to present the latest innovations in logistics platforms, particularly from a sustainable development angle.
This space will be organised around four themes: site design, including policies to protect the environment; operational factors, including ways to optimise energy management and improve the safety of people and goods; the use of equipment respecting ergonomics and safety at work; and the outsourcing of the management of manpower, energy and waste.
There will be successive 40-minute presentations throughout the four days of the event giving visitors a concrete idea of the changes to logistics buildings, in terms of both their design and their daily operation.
Of course, the logistics innovation prizes will also be awarded for the ninth time at the ceremony on Tuesday 11 March at 4:45 pm on the TV set.
About SITL Europe
SITL Europe 2008 will be held from 11 to 14 March 2008 at the Parc des Expositions in Paris Nord Villepinte (Hall 5), north of the French capital. There will be 45,000m˛ of exhibition space, and 800 exhibitors are expected to take part, of which 35% will be non-French. Organisers expect 37,500 participants, all of whom are professional visitors, and will be organising over 40 conferences, as well as offering six Logistics Innovation Awards.
For further information, please go to: www.salon-sitl.com
