Delegates from the air cargo industry took part in the first Professional Development Workshop from The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) in the Netherlands.
The three-day workshop culminated in students delivering presentations reflecting real-world air cargo business and operational situations.
Topics included market and competitive analysis, brand management, digital marketing, revenue management, understanding and analyzing financial statements, creating financial reports, business ethics and leading teams.
“I really appreciated the respect from the start and sharing of experience and knowledge from the leaders, participants, and guest speakers,” said Patrick Teixeira-Ribeiro, AirBridgeCargo, one of the delegates.
The workshop was the first commissioned and sponsored by TIACA in collaboration with Strategic Aviation Solutions International (SASI), following a joint industry study with IATA, International Civil Aviation Organization, and International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations released earlier this year, which identified the need for air freight-specific training to educate a new generation of industry leaders.
(Air Cargo World’s publisher is on the board of TIACA.)
Airlines, forwarders, handlers and GSAs, as well as the World Bank, took part in the program, held near Schiphol Airport on June 25-27.
“We are delighted that so many different sectors of the industry were represented at this first workshop, and the useful interaction between enthusiastic and engaged participants,” said Jim Edgar, regional marketing director, Boeing Commercial, and chairman of TIACA’s Education and Research Committee. “Now that we have held our inaugural program, we are looking forward to building on this success and hosting more educational events for the industry in the future.”
Lilian Tan, executive director – learning and development for SASI, and Charles H.W Edwards, SASI associate and executive director for the North Carolina Center for Global Logistics, led the workshop.
“The objective was for participants to have a good appreciation of each field and how the topics fit together and play a role in successfully managing and leading a dynamic company in an ever-changing market,” Tan said. “We encouraged discussion so that each participant had the opportunity to appreciate the perspective of the different sectors that combine to create this challenging industry.”
The workshop also had an evening devoted to interaction between participants and industry leaders.
Ram Menen, former director of Emirates SkyCargo; Enno Osinga, TIACA vice chair and senior vice president cargo, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; Ben Radstaak, managing director Air Cargo Netherlands; Stan Wraight, executive director, SASI; and Edgar took part.
A key course element to solidify learning was the assignment of case studies dividing participants into four teams with formal presentations the final day. The same group of leaders evaluated each based on feasibility of their proposal, financial effect, complexity and resources required.
“You think you know everything about the air cargo supply chain? You don’t. Take this course and you will get new views on the same topic from different angles and diverse participants in the air cargo supply chain, ” said Markus von Hesse, Panalpina, who took part.