The 14th Multimodal show took place at the NEC Birmingham from 19-21 October 2021, so what did the industry learn from the event?
The show brought together over 7200 visitors with 162 exhibitors. Delegates heard from 80 thought leaders on topics from Brexit survival strategies, to digitisation, UK Freeports, and the impact of 5G on efficiencies at ports. 50% of this year’s exhibitors have already booked for next year
Multimodal represents every logistics sector under one roof, and is characterised by key vertical sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemical, automotive, electronics, FMCG, food & drink, fashion, pharmaceuticals, construction, aerospace, energy, real estate, recycling, paper/print and perishables, amongst others, whilst horizontally, the show covers all modes of transportation, including sea, road, rail, air and inland waterways.
“We must ensure our industry benefits from the lessons of the last 18 months and rebuilds with a more sustainable outlook,” said Robert Jervis, Director, Multimodal.
“After so many months apart, it is time to come together, reconnect, and find new ways of working together.
“Multimodal is proud to be one of the first supply chain exhibitions to open its doors post COVID and provide a much-needed opportunity to meet face to face and drive new business opportunities.”
How did Multimodal target younger people during the event?
The show featured a seminar session focused on apprenticeships hosted by the British International Freight Association (BIFA)’s Carl Hobbis as well as a panel of young freight forwarders who shared their experiences of joining the industry with an audience of employers and students.
“It was truly inspirational to hear from our young freight professionals, and what came across loud and clear was the fantastic and interesting opportunities they feel logistics has to offer, as well as career progression and stability,” said Jervis.
“But the message was also that they had fallen into the industry rather than knowing about it beforehand, and that has to change.”
Multimodal is teaming up with education charity Career Colleges Trust (CCT) to help build a talent pipeline of future logistics leaders and close the skills gap in the supply chain industry.
Young talent will be put centre stage at next year’s event between the 14th and the 16th June 2022, giving CCT seminar platforms to speak to employers and students, and supporting its plans to develop a cluster of Further Education (FE) colleges offering a dedicated logistics programme.
“Multimodal is in a unique position to champion the logistics sector, bringing together all sections of the supply chain, and, by working with organisations like CCT, we can make a tangible difference for a better future,” Jervis added.
“The Career Colleges Trust is delighted to join up with Multimodal to push forward with our plans to develop a cluster of FE colleges across the UK to deliver a Logistics and International Supply Chain Management Programme to secure skills and career opportunities for young people,” said Rachel May, Director of Employer Involvement, CCT .
To read the full article see our December-January issue available in the new year.
Media contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, International Trade Magazine
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]
