JCtrans: How is SITL Europe 2012 developing?
Mr. Laurent Noel: Early results are very encouraging. With 45% more reservations compared to SITL Europe 2010 at the same time, the sales in all the main categories of the exhibition are well under way. It is benefitting from an excellent 2011 event that, in the view of the exhibitors, was successful in terms of new business and quality professional contacts as well as our communications activities via social networks that increasingly reached out to shippers and top executives of the sector. We notice that the regional offer from the Region and Infrastructures category has increased in visibility. It breaks down in two parts: on one side the pavilions with infrastructures, regional communities and business services and on the other hand, businesses that join together under a single banner to promote their specialisation and expertise.
JCtrans: How many exhibitors do you see for SITL Europe 2012?
Mr. Laurent Noel: We are expecting 900 exhibitors, in other words 100 more than in 2010. As a result, the exhibition area should increase by between 5 and 10%. The size of stands remains stable, which suits us. In terms of developments, with SITL Europe we benefit from the quality and range of the offering which is both large and consistent as well as providing the best return on investment for our exhibitors.
JCtrans: What is new for this edition?
Mr. Laurent Noel: SITL is an event which seeks to respond to the expectations and challenges of the sector. In 2012 SITL Europe will reshape its conference programme (the International Forum Transport & Logistics) with the support of PricewaterhouseCoopers and of a new thought leadership committee comprising federations, professional associations and the supply chain directors from leading manufacturers, distributors and services industries. It will be organised across cycles of several plenary conferences that reflect the sectors at the exhibition: Transport and Logistics Services, Regions and Infrastructures, Logistics Property, Warehouse Equipment and Materials Handling, Information Technologies and Systems- to which will be added two new themes: one dedicated to the supply chain and the other to the logistics of e-commerce. The reshaping includes a new shorter conference format. Visitors will therefore have access to a range of information while gaining time to go and meet with exhibitors. In addition, we are bringing back the pavilion for the security and safety of goods and the planning and scheduling pavilion. An e-commerce logistics pavilion and an enlarged maritime sector are additions to the main lines of development of SITL 2012.
JCtrans: What are the other strong points of the event?
Mr. Laurent Noel: Four other events will be held at the same time as the exhibition and the International Forum for Transport and Logistics. Firstly, the 3rd edition of the European Rail Freight Days which involves all the main participants: shippers, network managers, rail companies, short rail operators and manufacturers. Through its operational, pragmatic and positive vision of rail freight, this event will spotlight developments, innovations and new implementations of rail transport in France and Europe compared to trends noted on other continents.
Essential in the world of radiofrequency, the RFID University will be open to the new trends, products and applications that are developing around this technology. Thanks to the fact that the industry leaders will be present at the exhibition, the event is very well supported and fills up every year.
Another strong feature of SITL Europe will be the announcement of the Award for most innovative solutions in transport and logistics solutions. Held on the first day of the exhibition, the trophies will be presented during a plenary conference dedicated to innovations in transport and logistics services.
Finally, the second edition of ECO Transport & Logistics brings together all the environmental technologies which are applicable to transport and logistics. In order to simplify and make visiting the show as easy as possible, ECO Transport & Logistics will be held next to SITL Europe in Hall 6 and a single badge will allow access to both exhibitions.
JCtrans: What will be offered in Eco Transport & Logistics?
Mr. Laurent Noel: Eco Transport & Logistics brings together leaders in many disciplines: transport, handling and storage materials and equipment which are economic in energy and low in polluting emissions and noise, vehicle rental, sustainable construction materials, logistics buildings developers, transporters and logisticians, urban delivery specialists, carbon footprint consultants, certification, environmental management, professional organisations etc. It is a major offering in a highly specialised sector and which we aim to be comprehensive.
JCtrans: What are the highlights in Eco Transport & Logistics?
Mr. Laurent Noel: Eco Transport & Logistics will take place at the same level as SITL Europe 2012, both exhibitions will be clearly identified with their own signage. Using the same badge, visitors will go from one to the other. This closeness will facilitate movement and exchanges between visitors and exhibitors. Eco Transport & Logistics stages its own conference programme which is being developed with an established steering committee (ADEME, FNE, professional transport and logistics federations and associations such as Club Demeter Environnement et Logistique, ASLOG, AUTF and ECR France). Some twenty debates are organised around cycles for transport, buildings, infrastructures and sustainable management with the involvement of shippers, solution providers, constructors and public managers. Priority will be given to evidence and actual experiences.
Compared to last year, sustainable logistics will be more developed through the equipping, construction and renovation of platforms and warehouses. A demonstration space with models, displays and films will show developments and concepts of new generation platforms. The objective is to show the sustainable works and projects of the main players in transport and logistics real estate focussing on two themes: HQE, BBE or LEED certification and renewable energy in logistics sites. |
