Budapest Airport, as this year's esteemed host of the WOF & BUD Cargo Forum, pulled off an exceptional gathering that captivated the minds and hearts of everyone in the logistics and cargo community of the CEE region and beyond. The first common project of WOF Events and Bud Cargo encapsulated with vibrant discussions, future-forward insights, shared knowledge, and an unforgettable atmosphere, that was nothing short of spectacular.

A conference that linked the cargo world!

The two-day conference comprised numerous discussion panels, the content of which was spread across all types of modalities and today's hottest topics, such as E-commerce, Sustainability, Intermodality, and Digitalization.

A broad speaker lineup was introduced on stage 46 experts with both local and international backgrounds. The audience was able to look at things through the lens of companies like Lenovo, Nokia, cargo-partner, Maersk, Qatar Airwaves, Transporeon, inter IKEA, Cainiao, Rail Cargo Group, and Huawei. High-quality keynote presentations zoomed into the core of business solutions and achievements of TIMOCOM, Baltic Hub, Freightos, KPMG, Hungarian Logistics Service Centres Association, and Digilog Consulting.

The discussions at the forum painted a comprehensive picture of the Central-Eastern European transportation landscape, highlighting the importance of innovation and adaptation amidst challenges and global shifts. Logistics providers are under immense pressure to evolve due to increasing competition, tech advancements, EU regulations, and geopolitical concerns. The push for sustainability, digitization, AI-supported data analysis, and process speed was evident. As quoted, “Not the big fish eats the small one, but the smart fish the slow one!” With challenges on the horizon for supply chain stakeholders, collaboration is the buzzword, offering new solutions and opportunities. As TIACA's Chairman, Steven Polmans, aptly stated, “Never normal is the new normal“, encapsulating the evolving essence of logistics.

Participation beyond the expectations

Close to 400 people from 34 different countries attended the event. Airlines, airports, freight-forwarders, seaports, business consultants, manufacturers, rail-based freight transporters, e-business and data-processing software developers, shipping lines, fulfillment providers, trucking companies, importers and exporters, and intermodal terminals. These are just some of the numerous areas of activities of the attending 200 companies.

Here are a few names that have participated at the event offering the „shipper's“ perspective and looking for meaningful collaborations: Cainiao (Alibaba Group), Samsung, Nokia, Lenovo, Würth, SEWS-CE, Szentkirályi Magyarország, Béres Pharmaceuticals, Tesco, Bakony Technical Ceramics, Dover, Bosch, JYSK, Huawei, Tauris, Magyar Telekom, and Eglo Leuchten...

Networking changing forms

The logistics community showed a great effort to develop connections at this event. A historically highest number of meetings scheduled through the 1-to-1 networking tool has been achieved here.

The exhibition area of the forum was buzzing with innovation, collaboration, and hands-on displays of solutions. Key market players, such as Vienna Airport, Turkish Cargo, Qamcom, Delta Transportni Sistem, Klever Cargo, Celebi Aviation, Scan Global Logistics, PRIMACOŠPED, and others, attendees had the unique opportunity to engage with a diverse range of companies, each bringing their distinct flavor and expertise to the fore.

Apart from the ongoing meetings at the historical and charming Terminal 1 at the Budapest Airport, all participants were invited to attend the Awards & Charity Gala on the Danube River cruise boat. This alone was the ultimate highlight of the event, as we kept on hearing from many. It was an unforgettable evening celebrated by the best of the best in the industry. Here are the proud recipients of the 2022 WOF & BUD Awards:

Where business meets solidarity

The evening wasn‘t just about accolades in the logistics sector; it served as a testament to the fact that, at its core, the business community thrives on unity, empathy, and the shared purpose of bettering the world we live in. The generous contribution of Budapest Airport and Yusen Logistics of 11,500 EUR to the Hungarian League Against Cancer reminds us all of the importance of collective action and the difference it can make in society.