Robert Schoenberger With Messe München GmbH

Intro: [00:00:01] Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in South Florida. It’s time for South Florida Business Radio. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:14] Lee Kantor here another episode of South Florida Business Radio. And this is going to be a good one. But before we get started, it’s important to recognize our sponsor, Diaz Trade Law, Your customs expert today on South Florida Business Radio, we have Robert Schoenberger with Messe München. Welcome, Robert.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:00:34] Thank you so much for having me. Lee.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:36] Well, I’m excited to learn what you’re up to. Tell us about Munich. How are you serving, folks?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:00:41] Well, Messe München. It’s a publicly held company here in Germany, the free state. The owners are the free state of Bavaria in the city of Munich. And we are one of the largest trade fair organizers in the world. We are we have an own venue here in Munich with 18 exhibition halls. Right now there is the world largest trade show running and, I don’t know, 150,000 square meters of exhibition space. And we expect more than half a million of visitors during that show. This is really huge. Other topics are transport, logistics and air cargo. So these shows are coming to Miami.

Lee Kantor: [00:01:25] Now, what attracted you to Miami?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:01:29] Well, actually, first of all, there is the Miami based association, the air cargo and the International Air Cargo Association. And they did run the show for more than 40 years now. And the show was rotating all around the world. And then they decided, well, we should give that show a permanent home. And they actually decided on Miami. But with this decision, they also said, well, it would be easier to have a professional organizer next to them to support the operational part of the show. And they actually asked us, because we run several air cargo events and transport logistics events, not only really but all around the world and have a road network and some experience with that. And so they asked us if we can support them and we were more than happy to to do so. And now we will have we’ll see the launch of that event in Miami early November.

Lee Kantor: [00:02:26] And then what can someone expect at this event? Is it going to change from previous events or like, are you putting your kind of special secret sauce on this or will it be like previous ones?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:02:39] Well, of course there is some secret sauce. And but the biggest difference probably probably is that we not only do air cargo, so one kind of transport mode, we also invited exhibitors and customers from what are the transport modes. That means rail, sea and road and logistic logistic service providers to exhibit in the Miami Beach Convention Center. So if you’re, let’s say Carmen Carmen Electra from South Carolina or maybe a retail guy from Georgia or doing better housing in Florida, then it’s really like a one stop shopping because you can find an answer to all your transportation needs. All your logistics questions can be answered in that show because there are exhibitors and the food industry will be present.

Lee Kantor: [00:03:30] And then if you’re attending the event, there’s going to be education, there’ll be speakers. What are some of the things exhibitors, What what can an attendee expect like from attending?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:03:43] Yeah, well the event itself is really a trade show, so this is what is very popular in Europe. Of course, that means we have exhibitors on the show floor. We expect more than 220 exhibitors actually. But next to that, of course, we have accompanying conference program. That means on all three show days we have a full set up of hot topics and industrial knowledge and room for our exchange. And the beauty of this event is for visitors, it’s complimentary. So you can enter the event, you can enter the show floor and you can inform yourself at the exhibition, but you also can attend the conference and get know how for your next day business life to implement any news and things you just learned.

Lee Kantor: [00:04:41] And so this like if you’re involved in any aspect of logistics, this is some this is a conference you should be checking out.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:04:51] It’s really a must attend event. Yes.

Lee Kantor: [00:04:54] And then do you see the attendees primarily from Florida, or you’re want to attract people from really all over the world to this?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:05:03] Oh, well, we really track people all over from all over the world. Our exhibitors are very international. So we have airlines, airports, company agents, we have service providers, we have cohorts from all around the world. So the exhibition, whether exhibitors come from these sort of respects, where visitors come from, we expect a big part, big picture of international visitors. So it’s really interesting to meet those companies, but also to extend your international network and meet other participants within the show from all around the world. If you’re from Florida, for example.

Lee Kantor: [00:05:47] Now, from a speakers standpoint, were you able to attract a high caliber level of speaker?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:05:54] Yes. We will start with an opening ceremony where, for example, you expect the kind of vice minister from Germany. Will bring a big chin from from from Germany. But next to that, we will have other speakers also from the Florida region will do the ribbon cutting that we will have a CEO session where different CEOs from airlines, logistics service providers will discuss the latest topics within the industry. But during the three days, there will be really a top class program organized by different partners organizations. Of course, the already mentioned association will do all the three days they will do the morning sessions. But later we have other partners also from Florida, Miami, but also from all around the world hosting those sessions and giving insights into the latest topics.

Lee Kantor: [00:06:56] Now, is there an opportunity for sponsorship or is it too late for this one?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:07:01] Well, the shop floor actually is pretty well booked and we are more than happy about the response. But if there is someone out there interested in booking a small booth for doing some on site static sponsorship, then of course we would find a solution for that.

Lee Kantor: [00:07:21] And so what do you need more of? How can we help you? Just trying to get more attendees.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:07:27] Well, this is a long term thing. We want to return to Miami in 2024, of course, So everybody is invited to visit the show to get an impression how that concept works and yeah, to spread the word and hopefully to make it a success for everyone involved. And so to make it kind of the Art Basel for logistics in Miami in the future.

Lee Kantor: [00:07:54] And the dates again, are our November 8th, ninth and 10th at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:08:01] That’s correct, Yes.

Lee Kantor: [00:08:02] So if somebody wants to learn more about the event and maybe is there a web website for this?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:08:11] It’s of course it’s there for dot org.

Lee Kantor: [00:08:14] Air Cargo forum, dot org is the website.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:08:19] Yes. Correct.

Lee Kantor: [00:08:20] Good stuff. Well, congratulations on all the success. It must be exciting to get back out there in person, you know, after this pandemic, right?

Robert Shoenberger: [00:08:29] Oh, absolutely. And we are more than happy about the response not only in Miami, but worldwide and also here in Munich. As I mentioned in the beginning, it shows people want to meet, people want to interact and meet on those events. And yeah, we got all locked down in our house for a long time. And in the very beginning, a lot of people said, well, life events, life communication actually is dead and it will be transformed into Zoom and meetings and it’s not necessary to meet any anymore, but it really proved. Events are very well appreciated by the customers, and it’s more important than ever to shake hands and maybe also have a beer somewhere in Miami and enjoy the opportunity to meet.

Lee Kantor: [00:09:27] I agree 100%. We’ve had the opportunity to broadcast it. Several events now since the pandemic has broken here in the US, and people are hungry for that face to face. I mean, they can’t wait to hug each other, shake their hands. It’s really we’re human beings, we’re social creatures. And, you know, Zoom is great. And sure, it maybe saves you some money on travel, but people are hungry for face to face interaction and people do business with people and they want to look you in the eye and shake your hand. And and there’s no substitute for that.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:10:03] Absolutely. And especially the logistics industry, it’s supply chain management, all the parties involved. It’s it’s something it’s not just the product which you can Google online and find, okay, I take this and that it’s service. So it’s very customized. It’s about personal relationship you have with your supplier or the vendor. And so it really needs those moments to both meet by coincidence maybe, but also have a personal meeting and discuss these tradeshows are perfect platform to. Give this opportunity to to all parties involved.

Lee Kantor: [00:10:46] Yeah, it’s a very efficient way to meet everybody in your industry, all in one place, and get to know them better so you can do business down the road.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:10:56] Absolutely. That’s what we plan to do.

Lee Kantor: [00:10:59] Well, it’s exciting stuff and congratulations on all the success. The website, again, if you’re interested in attending, is Air Cargo Forum dot org. Robert, thank you so much for sharing your story. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Robert Shoenberger: [00:11:14] Know, thank you very much for the time and having me as a guest here and looking forward to meet you in person as well, of course, in two weeks in November.

Lee Kantor: [00:11:22] All right. All right. This is Lee Kantor Lucille. Next time on South Florida Business Radio.