The Amazon FASTforward 2024 event, held at the end of June in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain, was a resounding success which attracted over 700 attendees from over 14 European countries, over 20 speakers, and 35 external exhibitors. The two-day summit for transportation and freight brought together Carriers active on the Relay load board, Amazon Freight Partners, industry leaders and innovators, and other exhibitors to celebrate progress in sustainability, collaboration, and the future of logistics.
The event kicked off with an inspiring welcome from Amazon’s European Director of Surface Transportation, Benoit Robinot-Bertrand, setting the tone for an exciting two days ahead, filled with valuable insights and networking opportunities. The city provided the perfect backdrop for the gathering, emphasising the global reach of the event.
The summit had the theme "Navigating Together, Tomorrow", encapsulating the event's spirit of collaboration and innovation in the future of logistics. “The objective for this year’s edition is to share valuable updates on Amazon’s commitment to sustainability, together with industry insights and the latest technology and innovation within the transportation sector,” said Sonia Polak, Senior Manager Sustainability & Expansion of EU Amazon Transportation Services.
The agenda featured a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, focussing on the latest advancements and future trends in transportation. Participants had the opportunity to connect on a one-to-one basis with Amazonians and leaders, hear about new product launches, forge new partnerships, and explore potential collaborations aimed at driving the logistics industry forward in the fields of safety, compliance, routing, and more.
The event underscored Amazon’s commitment to building a faster, more reliable transportation network and how collaboration with Amazon Freight Partners and Relay Carriers is crucial in achieving this goal. “Our strength comes from our Partners and Carriers. Their feedback guides the continuous enhancements we make to our products and programmes, and our success would not be possible without them,” said Vignesh Solairaj, European Supply Chain Director of Amazon Transportation Services.
This message of partnership and collaboration was a recurring theme throughout the event, illustrating Amazon's appreciation for the vital role played by its Partners and Carriers, and reflected in what they said about the event. “We are proud to be part of Amazon’s journey”, said Borna Novosel, Megative DE GmbH – Relay Carrier; while Linards Becs, Kreiss – Relay Carrier, said, “It always feels good to be part of something that’s growing.”
The focus on personalised engagement allowed attendees to forge stronger connections and gain tailored insights: “It’s fantastic to be able to connect one to one with the people we partner with”, said Roy Mistry, Size Logistics Ltd - Amazon Freight Partner. “It’s great to feel the energy and the one-team approach.”
One of the biggest highlights of the event was the Expo Hall, a hub of activity and excitement with over 35 exhibitors in attendance, including Shell, BP, CNG Fuels, and some of Amazon's OEM partners like Volvo, Scania, Bosch, MAN, and Daimler. The Hall was a one-stop location where Partners, Carriers, and Amazon leaders could interact with external stakeholders, and even experience a safety driver simulator. It provided a unique platform for networking and hands-on learning, enhancing the overall event experience.
The event also featured a gala night with an awards ceremony, to celebrate the outstanding performance and excellence of Amazon's Partners and Carriers. Amazon awarded 18 Carriers and Partners in the following categories: Performance Excellence, Carrier Excellence, Safety Excellence, Sustainability Mover, Pilot Champion, and Community Champion.
As the event drew to a close, attendees were left with a sense of inspiration and motivation. Benoit Robinot-Bertrand captured the spirit of the event in his closing remarks: "Together, we have the power to achieve incredible things. Let's take what we've learnt and make the coming year our most successful yet."
