February was defined by one word: momentum.
AirCargo 2026 in Orlando delivered one of the strongest gatherings in our history—nearly 1,100 attendees, 103 exhibitors, 45 sponsors, and 61 speakers. Those numbers matter. But what matters more is what they represent: engagement, relevance, and a freight forwarder community that continues to lean in.
We heard it in the hallways, saw it on the show floor, and felt it in every packed session room.
Our Monday keynote, delivered by Kendra Tanner, President of Allstates World Cargo, set the tone. She brought clarity, confidence, and a forward-looking perspective grounded in operational reality. On Tuesday morning, Brian Clancy delivered the data-driven insight our industry relies on—trends, forecasts, and the hard truths about where capacity, demand, and global trade are heading. Both presentations challenged us to think strategically, not reactively.
Our Annual General Meeting was equally impactful. Members engaged in substantive discussions on truck fraud, airport freight congestion, and the broader regulatory and infrastructure pressures affecting our businesses. Committee chairs reported meaningful progress across their working groups. These are not passive discussions—they are active problem-solving sessions led by professionals who care deeply about strengthening our industry.
We also took time to recognize excellence.
Our awards for International Air Carrier of the Year, Domestic Air Carrier of the Year, Surface Carrier of the Year, and Industry Vendor of the Year spotlight the partners who elevate performance standards across the supply chain. And of course, the Jim Foster Award remains the highlight—honoring the individual whose contribution to our association and industry in 2025 truly moved the needle. Recognizing leadership and service is not ceremonial—it reinforces what we value.
None of this happens by accident. A special thank you goes to the AirCargo 2026 planning team. Their discipline, creativity, and attention to detail continue to raise the bar. When attendance climbs, exhibitor space sells out, and sponsors return year after year, it’s because the experience delivers value.
Now that Orlando is behind us, there’s no pause button. I’ll be heading to Los Angeles on March 18 to join a distinguished panel of industry leaders, then moderating another session at the JFK Air Cargo Association in New York the next day. The conversation continues—on policy, infrastructure, security, trade, and the realities our members face every day.
And yes, planning for 2027 in Dallas has already begun. Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are opening. If you want to position your organization at the center of the conversation, now is the time to act.
We don’t stand still in this industry. We adapt. We lead. We collaborate.
AirCargo 2026 proved once again that when forwarders, carriers, vendors, and policymakers come together with purpose, progress follows.
