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Forwarders flock to Sino International Conference, Shanghai

THE 14th annual Sino International Conference drew 900 forwarders to Shanghai to identify opportunities for business growth in the Far East and network with members of the logistics industry.

This marked the second consecutive year that the conference was held at Shanghai's JW Marriott Changfeng Park.

WCA, the world's largest network of independent freight forwarders, and the China International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFA) co-organise each year the Sino International Conference as a global, open-event for all independent freight forwarders, logistics vendors and industry-related companies.

This three-day conference provides an opportunity for all players to connect and expand business opportunities.

As usual, this year's conference convened with a massive number of one-on-one meetings. Between meetings delegates attended programming that included a gala dinner and cocktail reception. This year's opening cocktail reception was held at the JW Marriott while the gala dinner was hosted at the convention centre.

More than 11,000 meetings were conducted by WCA delegates over the three-day conference.

Said CIFA president Zhao Huxiang: "Since the beginning of this year, China's logistics and freight forwarding industry has continued to grow steadily, with annual revenues of enterprises over state's designated scale grew by eight per cent during the first nine months."

Last year's conference marked the official launch of WCA's eCommerce network. This year, eCommerce director Alex Allen set up an impressive workshop area where he held back-to-back sessions for both existing eCommerce members and those interesting in joining. Mr Allen and the founding members of WCA eCommerce are excited about next year's new developments within the network.

As WCA chief executive Dan March put it, "Everyone (at the conference) should be capable of supplying eCommerce solutions." At Sino International, WCA was poised to provide the training to enable its members to do just that.

"WCA thanks CIFA for its on-going support and for providing its members with further opportunities to engage on a global scale. Both parties look forward to another successful conference in 2018," said a statement from the organisers.