For the fourth year running, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) will be centre stage in more ways than one at the forthcoming Multimodal Exhibition and Conference at Birmingham NEC.
With 42 bespoke Logistics Services Provider Pods (Logpods), as well as BIFA’s own exhibition stand (2060), BIFA’s Forwarder Village will provide a networking marketplace for BIFA members and associate members to showcase the products and services they offer.
On Wednesday, BIFA launches its annual and highly acclaimed Freight Service Awards competition, for the 36th year running, and staff will be on hand to provide further information about the entry process and the benefits of entering. BIFA’s Forwarder Village will also allow visitors to learn more about the workings of the trade association, and the benefits of being a member, whilst discussing their day-to-day freight forwarding requirements with the businesses that have booked a Logpod.
The trade association’s stand focuses on BIFA’s training, membership, policy and compliance, and member engagement work, with staff on hand each day that are specifically involved in those activities. Those staff will be answering visitors’ questions and delivering guidance on the issues facing the freight and logistics sector.
The trade association’s training team will also be on hand to demonstrate its ever-increasing portfolio of training services, and there will be an exclusive Multimodal2024 discount for anybody who books a training course at the stand. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the benefits of membership, as well as what BIFA is doing to engage with its members via such initiatives as its Young Forwarder Network, regional meetings, and annual hallmark events.
BIFA’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) has become an integral and much-loved part of BIFA’s attempts to improve the promotion of the sector, making it more attractive to younger people and providing forums from which to learn. BIFA will host official Young Forwarder Network meet-ups on Tuesday and Wednesday at 14:00, and Thursday at 11:00.
Steve Parker, BIFA director general says: “BIFA arrives at Multimodal 2024 in good shape with significant momentum, a clear strategy, and a record number of members. Our presence at the heart of the BIFA Forwarder Village gives us a further opportunity to support and engage with our members and others on all sides of supply chains.
“It also enables us to showcase what the trade association is doing to address the current challenges facing our members, and the supply chain and logistics community they serve. Since I became Director General on 1st January 2023, from a policy and compliance perspective, there has been a continued focus on Customs-related issues and an ongoing review of all frontier policies as well as the introduction of new policies applicable to all of the UK’s international trade.
“So, it will not be surprising if conversations about Customs affairs occupy a good deal of BIFA’s time during the three days at Multimodal 2024, which gives us the opportunity to provide some useful insight and advice on the current state of a play. BIFA will also be using the event to showcase some of the work that it is doing in other areas, such as training and recruitment, as well as sustainability, so I welcome all attendees that are looking for advice designed to help deal with the big issues, to visit our stand in the BIFA Forwarder Village. Whilst the international freight industry is devising methods of coping with the changing logistics demands of the global village often at a distance, the BIFA Forwarder Village will give participants the opportunity for close range networking with existing and potential customers in a more personal environment.”
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