'Inspiring, informing and advising. That's what it's all about'

In 2024, VIL and LogiVille organized numerous exciting customized trade events for transportation and logistics professionals. This year too, the calendar of both organizations is well filled, focusing on trending topics that have a significant impact on the logistics sector. Annemie Vander Kuylen and Michèle Aerts, respectively Communication Manager and Head Events & Marketing at VIL, look back on a successful 2024 and look ahead to the year ahead.

Which LogiVille events were the most successful in 2024? Aerts explains, "Last February, we welcomed press and LogiVille partners to the preview of the Thematour 'Innovative Packaging Solutions: Reduce - Reuse - Rethink'. They had the first opportunity to discover innovative reusable packaging, sustainable alternatives to disposable materials and smart technologies for load optimization. In May, together with Randstad, we organized the hr event 'Keys to captivating and binding talent in logistics'. The central theme here was talent management. Attendees were given practical insights into how to attract and retain talent and how to position themselves as attractive employers. And in December there was the closing debate of the Theme Tour 'Supply Chain Security', where experts shared best practices and gave concrete advice on how to minimize vulnerabilities in supply chains and implement robust security strategies."

Events for networking

Vander Kuylen looks back on three successful VIL events: "In September 2024, our new VIL Rentrée event proved to be a hit. With over two hundred professionals in attendance, this was the ideal opportunity after the quiet summer months to reconnect with sector colleagues. This allowed everyone to enter the second half of the year with renewed energy. There was also a very large turnout for our annual multimodal event 'Job Breakers'. During this edition, the title of Multimodal Ambassador went to Jo Van Moer of Van Moer Logistics. The award was handed over by Flemish minister Annick De Ridder. In addition, Agristo and ECS were rewarded for their pioneering projects in the "Shipper" and "Logistics Service Provider" categories, respectively. The event underlined the importance of multimodal transport and encouraged companies to make their transport strategies more sustainable. And in January of this year, more than five hundred professionals traveled to the Antwerp Horta, where we created the perfect setting to usher in the new year and make contacts in a relaxed atmosphere with our annual VIL New Year's reception."

Attention to circularity

"Also in 2025, we continue to build a future-oriented sector," Aerts affirms. "In the spring, we are organizing the Theme Tour 'The Future of Work.' During this tour we will dive into the impact of technological innovations, such as automation and AI on the workplace. Which skills will become essential? How can companies prepare themselves for a labor market that is changing ever faster? Participants get concrete insights and strategies to future-proof their organizations. In the fall, CILO (Circular Logistics) will be launched at LogiVille, an ambitious project entirely dedicated to circular logistics and the transition to a circular economy. In an innovative immersive room, we will immerse visitors in the future of circular supply chains, in which reuse, recycling and dismantling of products are central. CILO shows how companies can not only reduce their ecological footprint through circular logistics, but also exploit new economic opportunities. Also worth mentioning is the closing event of the Gamification for Logistics project - in May 2025 - where VIL is launching a toolbox that helps logistics companies use gamification and digital media in training and onboarding, focused on disadvantaged groups. This lowers training costs, increases effectiveness and supports better integration and retention."

Inform and inspire

Why do logistics professionals enjoy participating in VIL and LogiVille events so much? Vander Kuylen sees several reasons: "Our events are more than meetings. They are meeting places where ideas and solutions come together. Companies and consultants participate to gain insights and to network. Inspiration is also an important factor, with success stories and best practices driving innovation. Last but not least is access to expertise: through presentations and interactions, companies gain access to the knowledge of experts inside and outside VIL, which can help them address specific challenges. From our organizations, we bring consultants and companies up to date on relevant policy developments that can impact the logistics sector and their own operations."