The LogisticsConnect event gets underway at the Bremen Congress Centre on 6 March. The concept for the new conference and exhibition event was developed jointly by Congress Bremen, bremenports and the BHV – Bremische Hafen- und Logistikvertretung. Hans-Peter Schneider (M3B Managing Director), Robert Howe (bremenports Managing Director) and Dr Patric Drewes (BHV Executive Committee Member) told LOGISTICS PILOT what they feel makes the event so special.
The Bremen Congress Centre has a wide range of halls that are ideal for events like LogisticsConnect.
Credits: Bremenports, m3b/Jan Rathke, wfb/carina tank 4505, BHV, Drewes Logistics, m3b
Robert Howe: I don’t mean to sound presumptuous, but as citizens of Bremen and Bremerhaven, we don’t really need courage. What’s needed more than anything is expertise, and we have plenty of that here, not only concerning break bulk, but also when it comes to hosting engaging events. Just recently, with the ENVOCONNECT sustainability congress, we at bremenports proved that fresh, innovative formats and ideas can make such an event a success. I’m convinced that we’ll also be successful this time with LogisticsConnect, especially with BHV and Messe Bremen by our side.
Patric Drewes: Establishing a new trade fair format like LogisticsConnect definitely requires the courage to innovate and to be different from existing logistics events. There are so many of them. We’re deliberately focusing on the areas of break bulk and project logistics. This requires a deep understanding of the industry and strategic thinking to position such a new congress exhibition and make it relevant. Having the right partners is equally important … and we do!
Hans-Peter Schneider: “Courage” is perhaps not the best term here – “justified self-confidence” and the “strength to put an idea into action” are more fitting. With our two partners, BHV and bremenports, we’ve formed a community that gives me the confidence that we’ll position our new format on the market successfully. Both have excellent knowledge of the industry and strong national and international networks. At Messe Bremen, we know how to place products on the market. It’s no coincidence that events such as “Fish international”, “Jazzahead!” and our medical congresses became internationally renowned platforms and have remained so for years. We’re also using this knowledge and a strong network to launch LogisticsConnect.
Howe: With the Project Logistics Expert Forum, which has always been one of Bremen’s must-attend events among industry professionals, the BHV has laid the foundation for this new concept – and LogisticsConnect will go above and beyond. Besides expert talks, there’ll be discussion panels, information on innovations and developments in the industry, chances for exhibitors to showcase themselves, and an overall more extensive and varied programme. It takes the old expert forum to the next level.
Drewes: We’re banking on a mix of convention and trade fair – and on the excellent reputation that we at the BHV have earned with our Project Logistic Expert Forum over the past few years. Calls to expand the expert forum to include a trade fair component were getting louder and louder and we’re now meeting this demand with a new location and a new concept. What will remain the same is the personal exchange, on equal terms, about best practices, market developments and innovations in project logistics, which participants appreciate so much.
Schneider: The combination of tradition and innovation is a recipe for success that we implement at many of our events. The Project Logistics Expert Forum, which BHV brought into the “marriage”, so to speak, is already a success. Its integration into LogisticsConnect has given rise to a new, expanded format – a convention with a trade fair element and plenty of room for meeting colleagues and exchanging ideas. Apart from the popular expert talks, we’re working with our two partners to expand the event into a modern conference that offers interactive discussions, practical insights into innovations and trends, a wide range of exhibitors and a supporting programme that enables networking at a high and personal new level.
“LogisticsConnect takes what used to be the trade fair to the next level.”
Robert Howe, Managing Director, bremenports
Howe: As I was born in Bremerhaven, it was obvious that I could have envisioned the event taking place there, too … but, in all seriousness, of course the Congress Centrum in Bremen is the perfect place for LogisticsConnect! It offers everything you could want from a modern conference. And the fact that break bulk fits Bremen like the proverbial glove can be seen everywhere in Bremen’s ports. Thanks to them, we’re one of Europe’s largest transshipment hubs for general cargo, heavy cargo and project cargo. Our little state can boast so many people with a great deal of expertise in this segment. Bringing together all this know-how at LogisticsConnect is guaranteed to be a win-win situation for all participants.
Drewes: With our ports in Bremen and Bremerhaven, we’re among the most significant port and logistics hubs in Europe. We’re even the leader in project logistics here – as confirmed by our latest survey as part of the BHV-Projektlogistik-Monitor. We’re delighted to share the wealth of expertise we have. The key routes in Bremen are short – not just for goods but for visitors too. And where better to party afterwards than in our beautiful old town?
Schneider: Bremen is not only well connected geographically, it’s also a hotspot for the logistics industry in Europe. The area is home to a wealth of expertise in break bulk and project logistics – this is what sets BHV apart. Our exhibition halls and the Bremen Congress Centre offer a state-of-the-art infrastructure and versatile space that are ideally suited for events like LogisticsConnect. We’ve proven that Bremen is capable of hosting internationally successful events – whether it was Breakbulk Europe, the world’s largest trade fair for general and heavy cargo logistics, or Space Tech Expo Europe, Europe’s largest trade fair and conference for the aerospace industry. Bremen combines centuries-old tradition with modern expertise – an unbeatable mix that our guests also value very highly.
LOGISTICS PILOT: What are your expectations for LogisticsConnect?
Howe: I hope that LogisticsConnect will develop a strong appeal far beyond Germany’s borders. What major national and international significance do our ports and their performance have for our cities? Sometimes you feel that, even in traditional port cities like Bremen, not everyone knows this anymore. For this very reason, it’s important to emphasise the ports and their importance for the economy in our two cities as often as possible – in Bremen and Bremerhaven and beyond our own state. LogisticsConnect has what it takes to showcase what we can do here in the north, on the one hand, and, on the other, to become a marketplace for an exchange of experience and expertise that transcends national borders. I, for one, am already looking forward to being there and welcoming customers to our ports.
Drewes: Setting up a new event of this magnitude is always a major challenge. We want to establish LogisticsConnect as an annual trade event with a clear focus on break bulk and project logistics and develop it into a leading platform for knowledge transfer and networking. At the same time, our goal is to use the congress exhibition to raise the national and international profile of Northern Germany’s seaports.
Schneider: LogisticsConnect is set to become a flagship event for the industry – a meeting place that attracts nationwide attention and sustainably contributes to strengthening our logistics location. We don’t just want to offer participants a space to exchange knowledge, we also want to create a platform for initiating innovations and forging partnerships. Bremen and Bremerhaven are two cities that live with and from their ports – it’s our goal to make this more visible and to showcase the expertise we have in the region proudly. As organisers, we’re looking forward to an event that promotes the strength of our network and that’s memorable for everyone. (bre)
“We’re deliberately focusing on the areas of break bulk and project logistics.”
Dr Patric Drewes, BHV Executive Member
“We’ve proven that Bremen is capable of hosting internationally successful events.”
Hans-Peter Schneider, Managing Director M3B
