Ok – you know it as the transport logistic and Air Cargo Europe, but this being Munich and the hometown of the Oktoberfest, it is almost a slight disappointment that the event doesn’t actually carry the name CargoFest. Particularly since it is the largest gathering of freight afficionados in the world – maybe not quite the roughly 7 million beer and lederhosen lovers that the Oktoberfest welcomes each year, but at a possible 80,000 visitors this year, it could well set a new record for itself. Robert Schönberger, Global Industry Lead transport logistic exhibitions, recently invited the press to a webcon to give an overview of what attendees could expect.
So, the basic facts are that the world’s leading logistics and air cargo event, ‘transport logistic/Air Cargo Europe 2025’, is set to take place from 02-05JUN25, at Messe München in Munich, Germany. The 2025 version of this biennial trade fair is poised to be the largest in its history, and – as always – will offer fantastic networking opportunities, showcase the latest in logistics innovations (on all levels since it is multimodal, featuring air, road, sea, rail, freight forwarders and other logistics stakeholders), and will host many discussions on the future of logistics.
This year’s transport logistic in figures
“The trade show is growing. The industry is growing,” Robert Schönberger says, opening the webcon. This year’s transport logistics is preparing for a number of records to be broken, he points out. With over 150,000 m² of exhibition space – “equivalent to 21 soccer fields”, Caroline Thiemt, Exhibition Director transport logistic at Messe Muenchen GmbH, throws in – the event will host more than 2,500 exhibitors from 70 countries. Around 65% of exhibitors are from outside Germany, with a few new countries joining for the first time. You will need to attend to find out which ones, as I failed to note them down but do seem to remember them as being in the Eastern Hemisphere, which may help to narrow it down just slightly. Anyway, the growth in exhibitors reflects the industry’s rapid growth, says Schönberger, and reveals that Messe München expects to surpass the previous attendance of 75,000 visitors, with hopes of possibly reaching a record 80,000 attendees this year.
Air Cargo Europe expansion
Air Cargo Europe, integrated into Transport Logistic, has also grown significantly from its original 1.25 halls, to now occupying 2 dedicated halls and officially being “largest air cargo gathering worldwide”.
As highlights of the transport logistic and Air Cargo Europe, Schönberger points to a dedicated area called the Campus Plaza. Here nine companies will converge for a single day to spotlight vital topics such as AI, Sustainability, and other forward-looking themes. This initiative, which proved highly successful in its last iteration, underscores the event’s commitment to addressing the most pertinent issues facing the logistics sector today. “People in logistics are problem solvers,” he states. “One major topic in JUN25 will be discussing the challenges being faced, the unpredictable things people in the world are doing, and defining new opportunities. It is more important than ever to come to transport logistics,” he stresses.
Exhibitor Stage and key themes
Another area highlighted in the webcon, was the Exhibitor Stage, which will feature 20 to 40-minute presentations in an arena format, complete with cool LED displays and a dynamic setup. These sessions will offer attendees a deep dive into the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in logistics, providing valuable insights and fostering a spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing. The event will focus on addressing pressing challenges such as cost pressures, bureaucratic hurdles, labor shortages, and sustainability. Despite economic uncertainties in Europe, industry sentiment remains optimistic, he reports, citing a recent survey carried out among 1,800 industry professionals: 9 out of 10 respondents expressed confidence in the future. “The sentiment is generally good to moderate, with more positive outlooks observed the further away one moves from Germany. However, no respondents rated the outlook as ‘Very Good’,” he admits.
Sustainability Efforts
CargoForwarder Global asked about sustainability in organizing the event. Sustainability played a significant role in the organization of the event, Schönberger emphasizes, listing several initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact. These include the elimination of carpets in the halls, the introduction of a ‘Go Green’ ticket option to offset the carbon footprint of attending the trade show, and the integration of public transport into the event tickets. Additionally, sustainable stand construction and consulting services are offered to exhibitors, reflecting a comprehensive approach to sustainability.
Conference Program Highlights
The conference program is packed with exciting sessions and speakers, he promises. Highlights include the opening ceremony on Monday morning, which will be attended by the Federal Ministry of Transport’s new minister (as yet unknown), making their premier appearance before the industry. A broad scope of topics will be on offer, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the issues and opportunities within logistics.
Tradeshow virus?
No – not a negative one or the threat of another pandemic. Instead, Schönberger feels that there is something uniquely infectious about the atmosphere of the transport logistics event. “The moment the halls open and you walk through and meet familiar faces – that international atmosphere is great!” he enthuses. A key takeaway from this event will be gaining a better understanding of the current mood within the industry and selecting the right topics to address, he underlines and sees this as crucial to his role in ensuring that the event remains relevant and valuable to its attendees, helping them navigate the evolving landscape of logistics.
The communal spirit he mentions is what makes the transport logistics event in Munich an unparalleled experience, and one that continues to draw participants from around the world year after year. CargoForwarder Global, too, will see you there!
