Here we are—February already—and these musings feel a little different. It’s the final newsletter before we all come together February 15-17 for AirCargo 2026, and the momentum heading into Orlando is real. Registration is running well ahead of last year’s pace, which tells me one thing clearly: this industry wants to be in the room, having the right conversations, at the right time.
AirCargo 2026 is shaping up to be one of our strongest conferences yet. The agenda reflects exactly what forwarders are dealing with every day—economic uncertainty, shifting trade policy, compliance pressure, technology decisions, and the need to build stronger partnerships across the supply chain. We’ve designed the program to be practical, candid, and forward-looking, with sessions that go beyond theory and get into what actually works.
I’m especially excited about our keynote speakers. We’ll kick things off Monday morning with Kendra Tanner, CEO of Allstates WorldCargo, who will bring a forwarder’s perspective grounded in leadership, growth, and resilience in a rapidly changing marketplace. Kendra understands where this industry has been—and where it needs to go next. On Tuesday morning, we’ll hear from Brian Clancy, a respected industry economist and expert who will give us a clear-eyed look at where we are and where the air cargo market is headed. Brian has a talent for cutting through the noise and explaining what the numbers really mean for your business.
Our evenings will be just as engaging, thanks to the generous support of our evening event sponsors—Descartes, AMK9, and Allstates WorldCargo. These events are more than social gatherings; they’re where relationships are built, ideas are exchanged, and candid conversations take place outside formal sessions. I’m grateful for their continued support and commitment to this community.
Before we even arrive in Orlando, we have important work to do. On February 4 at 2:00 PM EST, our Technology Committee will host a timely webinar: “Budgeting for What’s Next: Technology Investment Strategies for Airforwarders.” Technology decisions are no longer optional—but spending wisely is critical. Many thanks to our panelists, Amanda Barlow (RockIt Global), Geoff Milsom (Forerunners Consulting), Jarrett Williams (EFW), and Charles Marrale (ExFreight) for sharing their experience and practical insights. This is one you won’t want to miss.
Looking a bit further ahead, I also want to flag an essential regulatory event. TSA will be hosting an in-person Indirect Air Carrier Summit focused on the Known Shipper Program on April 21 and 22 here in Washington, D.C. This is a valuable opportunity for industry and government to engage directly on an issue that impacts all of us. If you’re interested in attending, let me know—I’d be glad to have you join me.
As we head into February, I couldn’t be more encouraged by the engagement I’m seeing from our members. AirCargo 2026 is right around the corner, and I look forward to seeing many of you there—ready to learn, connect, and help shape what comes next for our industry.
