The WCA Family of Logistics Networks hosted their two big annual events in Bangkok, Thailand (March 4-7; 8-11) drawing record numbers of freight forwarders to the Centara venue. By George Lauriat, AJOT The WCA Family of Logistics Networks held their 14th Annual WCA Annual Worldwide Conference (March 4-7) and the 4th WCA Family Annual Conference (March 8-11) in Bangkok, Thailand. The two events attracted a record 2,000 plus delegates to Centara Hotel conference facility, located in downtown Bangkok (see photos on page X). It marked a highly successful return to the Thai capital city after a year’s absence (last year the conference was in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). The WCA Family of Logistics Networks is the largest freight forwarding networking group in the world (over 4,000 member offices) and as such, the annual gathering for the event is by far the biggest gathering of independent freight forwarders representing upwards to 100 countries. David Yokeum, President and CEO, in his opening remarks noted that when he founded the WCA (World Cargo Alliance) fourteen years ago, “envisioned maybe three, four or five hundred,” members. But the alliance “very, very quickly” filled its roster, and the need for forwarder “networks” became readily apparent and led to the expansion of the WCA into developing neutral, forwarder networks. Yokeum moved the WCA Family to Asia a decade ago. In 2003 he launched the APLN (Advanced Professionals Network) and the next year the CGLN (China Global Logistics Network). The networks expanded rapidly, as the Asian location (Bangkok) turned out to be the right place at the right time. Yokuem said of his review of 2011 that these are “challenging times,” but noted that the independent forwarders have fared well in the downturn, relating a story where a member said, “I was only up 60% last year.” It’s Yokeum’s view that the global economic downturn in many ways played to the strength of the independent forwarders that have an ability to talk directly to their customer base with an agility that is difficult for multi-nationals to match. Strategically, besides continuing to broaden their relationship with the Chinese forwarding community, the WCA has been working to expand networks in India, South America, Middle East and, most importantly, Africa. In the case of Africa, the group established offices in Nairobi, Kenya (the WCAPN held its 5th conference in Nairobi on June 28-30 2011). In order to build these new relationships in these regions and maintain existing networks, the WCA staff is “mandated” to travel 50% of the time. In 2011, the WCA registered a number of notable breakthroughs. Among the most interesting was the establishment of an airway bill with the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways. Etihad Airways was established in 2004 and according to David Kerr, Vice President Cargo, the cargo division is the fastest growing within the company. The cargo division, which is named “Crystal Cargo,” is being changed to “Etihad Cargo” to better reflect the company’s brand as the air cargo sector expands. According to Kerr, the main regions served by the air carrier are Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia (more flights are being added to Bangkok) and China and Japan, from the Abu Dhabi International Airport hub. The company operates seven dedicated cargo aircraft and is expanding (besides scheduled services the company also has a charter arm). The air cargo sector accounts for about 20% of the carrier’s revenues. Kerr said, “we made a profit in 2011, and are in good shape, but we want to go from ‘good’ to great,” explaining the name change to go along with the expansion. Kerr said that the WCA’s access to the carrier’s system is part of the “strength through partnership” approach to building up their air cargo division. Perhaps the most ambitious program under the WCA banner is WIN (Worldwide Information Network). The basic concept behind WIN was to create a single IT platform that could seamlessly communicate electronically throughout the entir