Exhibition Logistics Training & Networking at the 2023 IELA Winter Seminar

This IELA biennial training event launched in 2002 gives the opportunity to youngsters and newcomers to the industry to benefit from an exclusive programme dedicated to the complex issues and procedures of the exhibition logistics industry.

At the last in- person edition in 2019, it welcomed 39 students representing 38 companies from 24 countries in Zurich. In 2021, due to COVID19, the programme was adapted to an online version, inviting 36 students representing 34 companies from 26 countries to a multi-day online gathering which provided a complete training programme together with the advantage of digital networking opportunities.

With the restart of in-person events, the IELA ETWG is pleased now to organise the 11th edition of this programme in person in South Africa.

Every IELA member has the opportunity to register one delegate free of charge. The event is 100% funded as part of IELA’s Membership Benefits 2023 and a maximum of 60 students (first-come-first-serve basis) can attend.

Under the motto “Building the future”, a maximum of 60 young and promising students joining this event will participate in strengthening the foundations of our industry for an even brighter future. More than 10 hours of instruction, plenty of networking interaction and a final exam are planned over a 2-day programme, followed by the organisation of a Day-Out.

Education and Training is the key to success. The IELA Winter Seminar focuses on strategy, best practices and trends in the industry. As usual, the outstanding expertise of our volunteer lecturers and their presentations will offer high quality educational sessions focused on the daily responsibilities of exhibition freight forwarders and On-site operations business.

Event's Pillars

Our delegates will benefit from the three event pillars:

CONNECT
Networking and connecting with peers is critical. Networking provides the most productive, most proficient and most enduring tactic in building relationships.
During the Group break-out sessions, the participants will be able to collaborate with their peers, work together, sharing their know-how and listening to their counterparts from a variety of countries. In addition, the presence of valuable connections on a worldwide basis allow for the growth of their professional network of expert freight forwarders. The event will conclude with a day out – a prime example of combining fun experiences with the establishment of new meaningful business relationships!

LEARN
The delegates will take advice from renowned speakers of the exhibition industry, sharing their knowledge on key markets & topics. Thanks go to the contributions of members of the IELA Board of Management and the volunteer members of the ETWG.

SUCCEED
Training, education & networking are key factors leading to professional success.
The Winter Seminar will make participants more aware of the processes of our industry and all the new systems put into place, particularly in terms of Health and Safety and Sustainability. They will leave Cape Town with an increased level of professionalism and skills, benefitting greatly from the specialized knowledge and newly-established networking connections won.

Programme Content

The future of all companies depends on well-trained team members. International collaboration, mutual understanding and specialized partners all over the world are crucial components of our network.

Topics covered include, between others, Tariffs & Calculations, Sustainability, Packaging, Health & Safety, Dangerous Goods as well as a Role Play to put the students into real situations.

--- See the event schedule

SESSIONS & SPEAKERS:

History of IELA, by Sandi Trotter, IELA Chairperson and Director Business Development TWI Group, Inc., Canada
The Forwarder is your Friend, by Sudhir Dhavan, IELA Board Member and CEO R.E. Rogers India Pte. Ltd., India
Domestic & Onsite Agent, by Jasmine Yang, IELA Board Member and IELA Board Member and Manager of Fairs & Events Department Eurotran Expo Service Co., Ltd., Taiwan
Export Agent, by Alexandra Erdmann, IELA Board Member and CEO Swiss Expo Logistics Ltd., Switzerland
How to do Exhibition Business in South Africa, by IELA Members from South Africa
Packaging, by Orphee M. Beinoglou Jr. , IELA Board Member and Member of the Board of Orphee Beinoglou International Forwarder S.A., Greece
Dangerous Goods, by tbc.
How to Attract New People, by Bas Wiendels, IELA Vice Chairperson and Director Valverde B.V., The Netherlands
Health & Safety, by Daniel Mithran, IELA Board Member and Director JIM Project & Expo Logistics (M) Sdn.Bhd, Malaysia
Sustainability, by Orphee Jr., Lucien Lawson, IELA Board Member and Director Clamageran Foirexpo, France & Elizabeth Niehaus, IELA Executive Officer.
The 10 Minutes that Change Everything, by Alexandra Erdmann, David Palomo, IELA Board Member and Operations Manager Suomen Messulogistikka Oy, Finland, Bas Wiendels, Lucien Lawson, and Sandi Trotter
Customs Procedures, Formalities & Documents, by Alessandra Dellavedova, Member of the ETWG and Import Project Manager Expotrans S.p.A. Italy
Tariffs & Calculations, by Ujjwal Gupta, Member of the ETWG and International Sales and BD BIG Logistics India Pvt Ltd & Rajath Naik, Member of the ETWG and Dy. General Manager - Operations & Sales R.E. Rogers India Pte. Ltd.
Insurance, by Nathan Christians, NC Surveyors (Pty) Ltd., South Africa

About the IELA Winter Seminar:
IELA’s biennial members only education and networking event gives to a maximum of 60 young professionals and industry newcomers the opportunity to join an exclusive programme dedicated to the complex issues and procedures of our industry. In 2023 it will be the 11th edition of this event which was launched in 2002.

About the IELA Education and Training Programme Working Group:
The ETWG is chaired by Sudhir Dhavan, CEO R.E. Rogers India Pvt. Ltd., with the support of two vice-chairs, Ute Wiezorrek, General Manager Cretschmar MesseCargo GmbH, Germany, and Alessandra Dellavedova, Import Project Manager Expotrans S.p.A., Italy.
The mission of the ETWG is to research and develop educational avenues for the association and its members. It organises two biennial training events, the WINTER SEMINAR, targeting new staff and newcomers to the exhibition logistics industry to boost quality and know-how within the industry, and the OPERATIONS SUMMIT, the only dedicated forum for exhibition and event freight forwarding operation professionals, offering valuable perspectives on improving operational efficiencies, enhancing service standards, optimising worldwide relationships and increasing bottom lines. Both events provide a platform for students to interact with their peers from around the world and share their exhibition & event experiences and knowledge.