ICHCA International, the global cargo handling association and leading event organiser serving the port and terminals sector, TOC Events have finalised an agreement aimed at greater communication and interaction within the industry in the post-pandemic era.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been welcomed by both parties as a framework to pursue cooperative projects of mutual interest specific to the dissemination of knowledge, best practice, analysis and commentary on the challenges and issues facing the global cargo handling community. It is intended that through the media of news distribution, publications and events, particularly of a digital nature, members and participants of both organisations will benefit from such inter-action.
In announcing the MOU, Richard Steele, ICHCA International’s CEO commented, “One of our association’s primary roles is to maximise the accessibility to relevant information on innovation and forward thinking for operators in the port and cargo handling facility sector. I believe this agreement with a deeply experienced and digitally savvy communicator such as TOC will aid us in our pursuit. I am particularly excited about the prospect of extending even further the reach of our guidance and industry best practice. Knowledge is the one thing that grows in value the more that it is shared. By working together, we can help industry to safeguard workers, ensuring that lessons are learned fast, once and stay learnt.”
The first manifestation of the mutual understanding between the two bodies will come later this year when TOC Connect, an inaugural hybrid TOC event, takes place both digitally between 18th October and 5th November, and in its traditional ‘live’ format in Rotterdam (26th-27th October). ICHCA members will participate by advising on the content and format of the innovative event and present during the programme of seminars and webinars.
TOC’s Business Development Manager Sean Deane commented on the new relationship with ICHCA, “We have in the past been privileged to have ICHCA representatives contribute to TOC events and are now delighted to have a more formal agreement with the association whose members are core to the industry we serve. As a provider of meeting places, networking opportunities and communication hubs we have worked hard to overcome the challenges presented by the pandemic restrictions and believe our hybrid events model will be successful in bringing the industry together, not just in Europe but also through our Asia, Americas and Africas physical events planned for the future. The cooperation of ICHCA will surely enhance the degree of our success.”
