Visitors at the 3-Day Conference in Houston Rise 38 Percent
Breakbulk Americas 2022 has been hailed a major success after nearly 4,800 industry professionals from across the supply chain came together for the 3-day event at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
The conference on 27-29 September saw visitors through the door rise by 38 percent compared with 2019, while the number of companies represented at the region’s largest gathering of breakbulk and project cargo specialists reached a staggering 2,240, up by 37 percent.
The George R. Brown Center’s gargantuan exhibition floor this year hosted 247 exhibitors, including shippers, equipment manufacturers, carriers, forwarders, tech companies, heavy-lift specialists and ports and terminal operators.
“It is a packed conference, that is for sure,” said Anders Hyrup, president of Jumbo-SAL Alliance USA, during the event. “Networking-wise, it is always the highlight for the Americas, and we are very happy to attend again.”
Delegates from 59 countries were present, with those from the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany and Brazil leading the charge. Some 20 percent of attendees worked in the freight forwarding sector, with 17 and 16 percent representing maritime transport and road transport, respectively.
“One of the things about Breakbulk is looking forward to seeing old colleagues, but it is also a chance to find out what’s coming up in the industry – what is new, what is fresh. I need to hear what other people have to say, and this is a venue where people who come here know their business,” said Lana Warren, regional head of special logistics at Maersk.
The main stage once again played host to a series of informative and often inspiring panel sessions featuring more than 50 expert speakers debating the industry’s hottest topics, from US offshore wind and Latin American power generation to air cargo capacity and the widening talent gap.
Delegates were even treated to an engaging talk by a bonafide Hollywood star – John Ratzenberger, actor in the TV show Cheers, mounted a passionate defense of the skilled tradesmen and women who form the backbone of US industry.
The Breakbulk Global Shipper Network lounge, the conference’s go-to place for shippers involved in the engineering, manufacturing and production of industrial projects and cargo, also held a series of more intimate and conversation-based sessions, including presentations from Schlumberger’s Vinit Pednekar and Fluor’s Cyril Varghese.
The BGSN lounge this year welcomed representatives from 135 companies.
“What is discussed at Breakbulk today is what we will be dealing with in the months and years ahead in our industry,” Varghese said.
More than 120 participants at the Women in Breakbulk Breakfast, meanwhile, were treated to rousing speeches from Bechtel’s Audrey Murillo and dship Carrier’s Dea Chincuanco. The breakfast, sponsored by dship Carriers, once again underscored our commitment to supporting female professionals in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Breakbulk Events & Media is also a passionate supporter of students and young professionals around the world mulling a career in one of the most challenging sectors of transportation and logistics. Our long-running Jerry Nagel Education Day, designed to attract the next generation of leaders through executive-led instruction and networking, this year welcomed 180 students from 14 different US institutions.
In his opening remarks to officially welcome delegates, Ryan Foley, CEO of DHL Industrial Projects, summed up the importance of the conference. “We use this event to connect, to talk to people and really use it as an opportunity to grow together. For us, it is all about the people.”
Breakbulk Americas 2023 will be returning to the George R. Convention Center in Houston on 26-28 September. We look forward to seeing you there!
