Is the freight industry suffering from conference overload? KEVIN MAYHEW THERE IS a tendency in South Africa to indulge important subjects to a stage of conference overkill. It is not for FTW to judge the conferencing and exhibition industry in other parts of the world, but there have been definite examples locally where a desire to make a fast buck on a topical subject leads to a general dilution of the value of what is on offer. Recently FTW was involved as an exhibitor at the Logistics Africa 2005 Exhibition and Conference, primarily promoted by a market place opposition to this publication. The line-up of speakers was excellent and the subjects were in the main very well thought out. Yet, on the last afternoon of the conference, a man of CEO status in a listed company had to cancel his address on the road versus rail debate. He did not speak as there was no audience – apart from FTW - and his embarrassing situation came after the dismal attendances (about 18 people) to hear a speaker flown from Durban to talk on the current state of South African ports and the way forward. As presentations ran concurrently on various subjects, it is not known what attendance there was at the other venues covering topics such as supply chain management, warehousing, fleet management and maintenance, and technology in logistics and supply chain. If, however, these two examples are indicative of the attendance or lack of it on critical logistics issues, then it calls into question the use of multiple annual exhibitions and conferences to address issues affecting the regional and international logistics preparedness of South and southern Africa as the pre-eminent hub of the region. Possibly transport bodies should band together and provide a credible platform that will be addressed and attended by relevant people with an international perspective as well. One major conference of longer duration would probably suffice. Let us know what you think. Email your views to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
