Question time for Europe's postal operators
The first half of 2008 sees two major World Mail & Express events organised by Triangle. In the Americas, leaders of the mail, and courier, express and parcels (CEP) industries, will be meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on 25-26 February, then in May, Europe’s top executives will gather in Budapest, Hungary. The World Mail & Express Europe 2008 event, scheduled for 19-21 May, will be the 29th in the world series. We are delighted that the Hungarian Post Office, Magyar Posta, will be the lead sponsor as we meet in the charming and historic city of Budapest. It will provide a unique occasion for the public and private sectors to meet and discuss the broader industry issues, seek solutions and listen to customers.
More than three hundred senior delegates can expect a powerful line up of speakers addressing the key issues and challenges that are on all our agendas. As you would expect from a Triangle event, those speakers will be industry leaders – CEO’s, main board directors, and experts in their field.
Europe’s open agenda
The timescale for full mail liberalisation in Europe may have now been determined, but there are still a host of unanswered questions that will no doubt generate much debate during the extensive networking that always occurs at a World Mail & Express event. Some of the questions that Europe’s leading operators will be seeking answers to, include: How will the universal service be maintained and funded in each country? How can national posts improve their products and services, and increase their operational efficiencies, to meet the challenge from a raft of new competition? Can some of the smaller posts even survive?
At the same time as mail markets are opening up the very future of mail, as we know it, is under threat. How can Posts capitalise on the shift from a physical to a virtual world? Above all, how can they ensure that mail remains a relevant form of communication for business senders and private recipients alike? For both posts and CEP operators, all the signs are for continued growth in demand for parcels services. But, as the B2B market matures, the biggest growth is in B2C (and C2C) driven by internet buying and selling. How can the effectiveness and efficiency of deliveries to the home be improved? Are secure ‘packet stations’ at 24/7 locations the best way forward for delivery providers and consumers?
And, for everyone, there is the issue of the environment. Trucks, planes, buildings are huge emitters of CO2 and consumers of scarce resources. How can service providers become greener? And how can consumer resistance to ‘junk’ items as being wasteful of natural resources be countered?
It should be a very interesting few days! And if that wasn’t enough to wet your appetite, there are also two other important events incorporated into the three days at the Corinthia Grand Hotel in Budapest.
Multi retail channel strategies
On 19 May, the second World Postal Retail Networks seminar will bring together Post Offices from around the world, under the theme of “Multi Retail Channel Strategies for Post Office networks”. With the rapid advancement of technology and internet access throughout the world, there is a strong demand for Post Office networks to offer customers a fully-integrated, seamless multi-channel experience, where a full range of products and services can be ordered online and either collected in-store or delivered to a specified location.
The one-day conference to be held in Budapest will bring together Post Offices and leading experts on multi channel retailing willing to share their experiences and expertise to help senior executives attending, devise compelling multi channel strategies for their own Post Office networks.
World Mail Awards – the 9th set of global accolades?
On the evening prior to the World Mail & Express Conference in Budapest, the international mail industry’s premier awards will be presented at a black-tie Gala Dinner for around 400 of the most senior people in our industry. It has always been an extremely enjoyable evening, a great way to network with your international postal colleagues and at the same time, witness who’s the best in the world from your industry. Along with our host sponsor, Magyar Posta, we look forward to welcoming you to a fascinating few days in the “Paris of Eastern Europe” – Budapest.
