Global Freight Group

Atlanta, GA Spring 2007

GFG Spring Conference Returns to its Georgia Roots

ATLANTA, U.S.A. – SPRING 2007

ATL2007 Logo

The Buckhead area welcomes the GFG back for its second Spring Conference in Georgia.

GFG Group Administrator Rachel Marchant reports back from the Spring 2007 Conference in Atlanta, 29 April – 1 May 2007.

A record attendance for the 3rd casual conference

With 26 companies sending a total of 45 participants to the Atlanta 2007 conference last week, it is clear that the interest in the casual conference continues to grow. Of the 26 members, 11 were US members and 15 were International members. Some, such as Rutherfords and Helka turned out in force with 4 participants handling their meetings and taking part in the various events.

For a casual conference, there was certainly plenty happening!

The Board of Directors…

The dedication of the Board of Directors is unquestionable as they give their time and input on a voluntary basis. As usual, they started business a day earlier than other members, running through a full agenda of group matters. They also took the opportunity to meet with new members on an informal basis prior to those members meeting the whole membership. The new members were Kolitha from Tegerhy International Shipping and Hakan and his wife Ozden from Hisar Lojistik Turizm.


Mr Hakan Ozgen with his wife, Ozden, of Hisar Lojistik Turizm in Turkey.	Kolitha Wickremasinghe of Tegerhy International Shipping in Libya	The GFG Board of Directors

Two new members eager to do business…

Eager to start business with the GFG members, were the two new members attending their first GFG conference. They were Tegerhy International Shipping from Libya, represented by Mr Kolitha Wickremasinghe and Hisar Lojistik Turizm from Turkey represented by Mr Hakan Ozgen. You can read interviews with these new members via this link.

Warm weather and an even warmer welcome…

Bill Mordecai of USA Cargo and his charming wife, Barbara, welcomed all the GFG members into their beautiful home. The decking glittered with delicate lights, almost a reflection of the star strewn night sky. Members enjoyed the summer-like evening as they sated themselves on the southern-style barbecue, drinks and good company. Thank you to Bill and Barbara!


Fairy lights set the garden scene	Members enjoy the food and company in the garden

Always room for improvement…

According to the GFG’s aim to continue developing and improving, the conference format was adapted to include a General Assembly on Monday morning. This enabled members to raise any issues they have, instead of waiting for the main Fall conference, adding further benefit, on top of the numerous face-to-face sales meetings. Most feedback regarding this format was positive, although members would like to see a less formal set up, offering a less daunting speaking platform. One member led the others in an open forum disucssion which was popular. Recommendations will, as always, be taken into account for future casual conference formats.

Sales Meetings for ‘serious business’…

Almost 250 scheduled meetings were planned amongst the members during Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday. This number was doubled by those members who chose to set their own timetable for their meetings with other members. Feedback from previous casual conferences highlighted the positive result of such flexibility. A looser schedule and slightly lower attendance than a formal conference, enables members to meet when they wish and spend more time over particular member meetings. It was felt that extended discussions gave good results and members were able to get down to ‘serious business’.

Sponsorship support…

The GFG was pleased to secure sponsorship from G&P Software Services Inc.

Visit the G & P / Logi-soft Inc website

The Atlanta based company introduced their product, Logi-Soft, to the GFG members at the General Assembly and join members for the sales meetings and social events. Follow this link to read a summary of the company’s product and activities…

We have received very positive feedback from G & P Software Services regarding their conference experience and they express an interest in sponsoring future events. Meanwhile, Alan Palmore welcomes your email enquiries via apalmore@gmail.com.

If your company would like to sponsor a future GFG event, please follow this link for more information. Sponsorship opportunities are limited so please make your interest known as early as possible.

There were plenty of new faces at the meeting for the existing GFG members to meet. They included Hakan Ozgen and his wife, Ozden, from Hisar Lojistiks Turizm in Turkey and Kolitha Wickremasinghe of Tegerhy International Shipping in Libya.

Socialising is always on the GFG Agenda…

The Monday meal at Maggiano’s was yet another event which nearly all members and sponsors attended. We are certainly a sociable group! Out of a possible, 49 people, 45 came with us to enjoy the setting of Maggiano’s. Even after the meal, groups met to go elsewhere – such as Dante’s where there were live crocodiles basking under the walkway!

Tuesday saw more sales meetings – overall about half of the members had requested scheduled meetings with the other half arranging their own. This seemed to work fine and by early afternoon, everyone had managed to complete their list of required meetings.

Round Up and Conclusion…

Overall, there was a positive feel about the conference and it was clear that members enjoyed meeting up with each other for both business and pleasure.

Thank you to our Atlanta hosts: USA Cargo and Lee Hardeman CB.

Thank you also to all the members who joined in the conference and various events, supporting the GFG and its members.

Sunday’s Welcome Barbecue at Bill and Barbara’s House