AFTER several false starts, thanks to COVID restrictions, the logistics industry in Brisbane finally came together last Friday to hold the Inaugural ICHCA Logistics Long Lunch.
More than 140 guests including some from interstate and representing 58 companies enjoyed a sumptuous lunch seated in the Howard Smith Wharves River Shed West overlooking the Brisbane river.
ICHCA Australia Chairman John Warda gave a short overview of the importance of ICHCA Australia, which is affiliated with ICHCA International, where its members, which are drawn from a wide business sector, strive to improve the safety, and effectiveness of the handling and movement of goods in the national and international transport supply chains.
Guest speaker Lloyd Hain, Executive Director of the AME Group, gave an insight into the current global demand for metallurgical coal with particular emphasis on the effect it has on the coal industry in Queensland.
According to Mr Hain, the future for metallurgical coal over the next few decades looks bright with plenty of demand coming from China and increasingly India to assist in their steel production.
The idea of the Long Lunch, which ran from 1pm till 4 pm, is to provide attendees with the opportunity for lots of networking and by the time it finishes there is an excuse not to return to work.
This is particularly attractive on a balmy Friday afternoon along the Brisbane River where one can continue to enjoy a few drinks with industry colleagues and friends afterwards. It seems this concept goes down well with the industry especially after not seeing your colleagues in person for many months due to the COVID pandemic.
Organiser Darren Fursman from NQBP and an ICHCA Australia director said due to the success of the lunch he hopes it will become an annual event.
The next Logistics Long Lunch will be held in Adelaide on 18 March, and another is planned for Sydney in May.
