Major announcements mark “Roads, Rails and Runways” National Cargo Conference
Major announcements mark “Roads, Rails and Runways” National Cargo Conference
September 25, 2013 (Edmonton, AB) – Edmonton International Airport (EIA) and the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) are hosting over 250 cargo, shipping and logistics leaders from across Canada and beyond at the Roads. Rails. Runways. Cargo Conference.
The conference, which is taking place at the Radisson Edmonton South on September 25 and 26, features local, national and international guest speakers from across the industry, as well as discussion forums and networking opportunities. Highlights also include oil sands flyovers for out-of-province guests and tours of the Leduc-Nisku Business Park, North America’s second largest energy park north of Houston.
Roads. Rails. Runways. marks CIFFA’s first-ever national conference in western Canada.
The need for an industry event of this calibre in Edmonton was further demonstrated by major new announcements today, including:
- A new partnership between EIA and Panattoni Development for light industrial development at the Cargo Village, including warehousing and logistics facilities for freight forwarders, custom-built for the users;
- A custom-built freight forwarding building that will be constructed by Runway Developments Inc.. The 30,000 sq ft building will be located on 5 acres of land and will provide both office and warehouse space.
“EIA is serious about cargo. Cargo has distinct needs, which is why EIA and our partners are building the facilities needed for the expansion of air and ground cargo companies in the Capital Region,” said Traci Bednard, EIA Vice President, Market Development.
EIA has made a multi-million dollar investment into the infrastructure of its Cargo Village in the past three years, including a dedicated air cargo apron, airside building facilities, road and land servicing and a new Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) facility. This is all part of EIA’s new Cargo Village complex, a commercial and industrial development on airport lands with a growing contingent of freight industry tenants. It has contributed to a year of rapid growth in EIA’s air cargo division, including upgraded service by cargo carriers FedEx and Cargojet.
The conference also marks the 65th anniversary gala of co-hosts CIFFA, Canada’s leading freight forwarding association.
“This was the perfect place to celebrate 65 years of advocacy, education and finding international opportunities for Canadian freight companies. Edmonton is a vital link to Canada’s emerging markets in the resource sector, and obviously growing rapidly, which presents CIFFA member firms with almost unlimited opportunities,” said Ruth Snowden, CIFFA Executive Director.