IELA
New team shapes up to drive IELA and the events logistics sector to new levels
he recent 2024
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International Exhibition Logistics Association ( IELA ) 39th Congress and 11th Partnering Event , held at the end of June at the Grand Hi-Lai Taipei hotel , was a celebration of global collaboration and innovation . There were 318 delegates from 44 countries attending the events hosted by three IELA member companies from Taiwan : Eurotran Expo Service Co ., Ltd ., Panda Logistics Co ., Ltd ., and Trans-Link Exhibition Services Co ., Ltd .
During the 2024 IELA General Assembly on 25 June , new members of the IELA Board of Management were elected for a two-year term .
• Alexandra Erdmann – Swiss-Expo Logistics , Switzerland
• Lena Ericson – On-Site Exhibitions , Sweden
• Ziad Harb – BCC Logistics KSA , Saudi Arabia
• Lucien Lawson – Clamageran Foirexpo , France
• Orphee Moschopoulos-Beinoglou- Orphee – Beinoglou International Forwarders S . A . Greece
• Garcia Newell – DSV Solutions , UK
• Christoph Rauch – BTG Messe- Spedition , Germany They join the remaining Board members , Sudhir Dhavan from R . E . Rogers India ; Dirk Urra from Kuehne + Nagel KG - KN Expo & Event Logistics Germany and Bas Wiendels from Valverde in The Netherlands to form the 2024-2025 IELA Board .
The new Board will be led by the newly elected chairperson , Sudhir
Dhavan who spoke to EW about where IELA is now and where he hopes to lead the association .
EW : Congratulations on your election as chair of IELA . How did the Congress and Partnering Event in Taipei go ? They were a resounding success for both IELA members and nonmembers in attendance . It was a showcase of excellence , innovation , and collaboration that truly exemplified the spirit of our industry . The announcement of the new Board was a significant moment , with six members being re-elected and four new talented individuals joining our ranks
Tell us a little about your career in the exhibition industry to date and what attracted you to IELA ? My career in the exhibition industry has been a fulfilling journey that began in July 1996 . I have had the privilege of serving and contributing to various organisations within the industry , gaining valuable experience and insights along the way .
What attracted me to IELA was its reputation as a leading global association dedicated to the exhibition logistics sector . I was drawn to the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts , share knowledge , and contribute to the advancement of our field on an international scale .
My journey with IELA began in 2010 in Paris . In 2013 , thanks to my mentor Jim Kelty , I joined the
Education and Training Working Group , where I had the opportunity to serve as a lecturer at the Winter Seminar in 2015 and 2017 .
Since joining IELA , I have been actively involved in Sales and Operational activities .
Following the 2019 Congress in Venice , I participated in our first online Winter Seminar in 2020 , where I had the honour of mentoring the winning group . In 2021 I was appointed as the chair of the Education and Training Working Group and also became a member of the Board of Management .
In 2022 and 2023 , in collaboration with the Board , I played a key role in establishing the IELA Academy , an initiative designed to further enhance educational opportunities and professional development within our organisation .
In 2023 , I was re-elected as a member of the Board and continued my involvement with the Net Zero Carbon Events via IELA Stream , and contributed to the Sustainability Working Group .
What do you see as the priorities for IELA and what of plans going forward ? While we are moving past the challenges brought by Covid-19 , it ’ s important to acknowledge that the global landscape continues to present various hurdles , particularly on a geopolitical level . As we navigate these complexities , it is essential for IELA to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the evolving needs of our industry .
The priorities for IELA are crystal clear . We must focus on strengthening our association through a robust ecosystem centred around membership engagement , education and training initiatives , fostering strong industry relations , promoting sustainability practices ,
34 Issue 4 2024 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk