“Air Cargo Europe brings together the entire airfreight value chain, including freight forwarders, logistics providers, airports, technology suppliers and other airlines,” says Jansen Stafford, Regional Head of Cargo Europe. “It’s an invaluable opportunity to meet existing partners, forge new relationships and explore potential collaborations.”

With that in mind, Cathay Cargo made sure its first appearance would be remembered, with a double-decker stand with videos conveying the We Know How brand message and outlining its special shipment solutions. There was also the added appeal of uniformed Cathay Pacific cabin crew, who were on hand to welcome visitors and guide them to on-stand meeting rooms, as well as providing the essential show fuel – coffee – to all who needed it.

“Our inaugural booth made a great impression and effectively showcased our brand with compelling imagery, videos, solutions, and branding content,” says Frank Wu, Cargo Global Partnerships Manager. “Our partners were telling us that our presence at the show was essential for a leading global cargo airline such as Cathay Cargo.” 

Beyond the brand building, the other key benefit of the show was the opportunity for networking. Cargo Airline Partnerships Manager Timothy Chow met around 20 interline airline partners or their general sales agents. “The outcome of a 30-minute meeting can be far more effective than 10 or more email conversations,” he says. 

Stafford agrees that the face-to-face interactions with customers were invaluable. “We were able to speak directly with key decision-makers, forwarders and shippers, and got to understand their evolving needs and the impact of the current market on them,” he says. “It was awesome to have the Cathay Cargo brand here showcasing our cargo capabilities and reinforcing our mission to become the world's best air cargo carrier.”