Multimodal 2023 is organised by Clarion Events. Headquartered in London, Clarion is a truly international business, with a portfolio of events and media brands across a range of vertical markets.
Event Director
We have employees based in offices worldwide who specialise in delivering first class marketing, networking and information solutions in high value sectors, both in mature and emerging geographies.
We organise both live and digital events every year, attracting buyers with spending and decision-making power who are looking for solutions and innovations to help move their businesses forward. Putting them in contact with the providers of these solutions, and with each other, is our overriding objective, always.
Robert Jervis, Event Director at Multimodal 2023 spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
No day is the same – as the role transitions over the year given that we are an annual show. I suppose at 365 days out, much of my time is spent re-booking clients, going to visit clients and so on before the summer break. In autumn, it’s more sales – with some initial conference and operations planning – most of which goes live in the New Year. In spring it’s conference, visitor promotion and Awards – and making sure all our exhibitors are ready for the show in June.
How would you explain the Multimodal Culture?
It’s a can-do attitude. We want our customers to have great experiences at our events – and that’s getting the right formula of value for money, ease of doing business with us and trust. We continually measure customer satisfaction to ensure that we measure up to their expectations – but in short – we make sure we deliver for them. Every time!
How does this culture assist your clients’ requirements?
There’s an old saying in the exhibition game in that “you’re only as good as your last show”. On that basis – we have to always be on our toes to make sure that the event is the best it can possibly be. Quite rightly, our clients have high expectations for events when they book their attendance – whether they are an exhibitor or a visitor – and we always need to make sure our last show was a cracker.
Do you have direct contact with customers, and get involved developing solutions?
Every day! Our customers pay our bills of course – but they do so much more. They keep me apprised of the latest industry trends, deals and gossip! But they also offer valuable advice as to how we make the show better and stronger. We have deep and very valuable relationships with our customers – and always appreciate their support.
Tell us how Multimodal are growing in the UK?
Like many organisers, the pandemic severely limited our ability to trade. Multimodal was fortunate in that we were able to run an edition in 2021 – and it was amazing – there was so much pent-up demand to meet. In 2022 this trend continued – and we also see this going in to 2023. People want to meet face-to-face. It’s important to us as humans. And at Clarion – we see this need across all our portfolios and industries served. And, as the show has grown, we’ve been able to invest more in making sure that more shippers and 3PLs attend the event.
What makes Multimodal unique in your industry?
It’s the only event that covers all the modes. I know that sounds axiomatic – but it’s important. When we launched the show in 2008 – sustainability wasn’t even a thing – but we knew that shippers would have to change the way they consigned their freight to get the best mix across modes. Fortunately, our customers saw this imperative too.
What solutions do Multimodal offer customers?
Put simply – Multimodal is an enabler of trade. We facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, partnership and so on for our customers. This can be through the exhibition, our conferences, newsletters, awards and social media groups. So we offer our clients commercial opportunities, branding awareness and thought-leadership routes to market. We help exhibitors to market their products and services and our visitors a fantastic “shop window” to choose their suppliers.
What sectors do these clients work in?
Shipping, haulage, railways, canals, air cargo, ports, airports, real estate, warehousing, technology, sustainability, customs clearances, storage, manufacturing, construction – and these are just the exhibitors. Our visitors cover the whole range of industries where people need to ship products to market.
How can your solutions help?
They’re not really “our” solutions, but those of our customers. I suppose one could be glib and say that our clients can offer you three choices – moving your cargo faster, cheaper or greener – or sometimes two of those three…
What new services/solutions are you offering for 2023?
We have strengthened and expanded our trade association partnerships. We have fostered a new partnership with the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&T) to strengthen the value of Multimodal, and we continue to work with the leading industry associations including Logistics UK, UKWA, BIFA, RFG and CILT. Together we are curating a compelling supply chain conference programme to appeal to all genres, plus the IOE&T sessions can earn hours towards attendees’ CPD.
What do you see as the biggest opportunities in the coming year for Multimodal?
We have several new initiatives that we are planning for our 2024 edition – all of which will be unveiled this June! Suffice to say, sustainability, resilience and technology will be to the fore. I think it’s also fair to say that in difficult markets, strong exhibitions become ever stronger. It’s a double-edged sword – but this may offer us some new opportunities to grow.
What are the biggest challenges facing Multimodal and your industry?
The issues are manifold. The industry needs to make a return on capital invested, whilst at the same time combatting the rising costs, of staff, fuel, land and equipment costs. They need to do this whilst becoming more sustainable, technology empowered and efficient – all in the face of increased customer expectations and governmental compliance. It’s a difficult job to manage – but our customers do!
Do you cover the whole of the UK?
Yes – and Ireland and mainland Europe
Multimodal
07785 288879
robert.jervis@clarionevents.com
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