November 20 - The Project Cargo Network's (PCN) fourth annual summit, which took place from November 16-18, saw 160 delegates from over 75 countries come together at the Crowne Plaza St Peter's Hotel in Rome.
This was the largest number of attendees at a PCN conference to date. The network currently boasts 234 members in 111 countries.
"We were delighted to host such a large attendance as this is only our fourth meeting and we feel honoured that so many members took the time and commitment to attend our Rome gathering," said Rachel Humphrey, president and ceo of PCN.
The conference was preceded by a tour of Rome, which was attended by over 100 of the attendees, before the event kicked off in the evening with some welcome drinks and PCN's gala dinner.
PCN also introduced a new networking game, whereby each guest was given a pack of 6 PCN playing cards and were required to swap cards with each other until they had the full set. "This enabled guests to network and was an ice breaker for those who were meeting for the first time," said Humphrey.
The official meeting began on Monday, November 17 with an update from the PCN head office. Delegates then took part in over 2,000 individual meetings, aided by PCN's Countdown Clock, which allows delegates to manage their time during the sessions.
Awards were also presented: Italy's Base Spa was recognised as 2014 International Member of the Year; Spain's Marmedsa Proyectos was presented with the 2014 President's Award; the 2014 Regional Award: Middle East & Africa went to Syon Logistics in Dubai; C.H. Robinson Project Logistics in Canada received the 2014 Regional Award: The Americas; while Sadleirs Global from Australia was presented the 2014 Regional Award: Asia & Pacific; and France's Philco International won the 2014 Regional Award: Europe.
As well as discussing new and existing business, the network also raised USD3,672 for The Dream Trust in India. Over the past three years, PCN has raised a total of USD13,512 for The Dream Trust, which funds life-saving insulin for poor children with Type 1 Diabetes.
HLPFI's Joe Hickey was in attendance.
The meeting was officially closed with details of PCN's fifth annual summit, which will take place from November 15-18, 2015 at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn in Bangkok.
