Ground Support Worldwide traveled half-way around the world to attend the IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC), in Bangkok, Thailand. It was probably the longest trip that I have ever made to go to an event and was worth every sleepless night.
We have been going to the IGHC for many years, but this year was different. There was a different energy at the conference this year. There were more conference tracks and more networking and meetings going on than had been in the past.
What does it all mean?
Hopefully it means that we, as an industry, are coming up with ways to not only be more efficient and cost effective but we are finding ways to increase safety.
What was my biggest take-away?
This industry has passion. I have never met more enthusiastic, passionate people not just at the IGHC, but in all my travels for the magazine. The ground support and aviation industries have some of the hardest working people I have ever met. Working in this industry isn’t just a job, a career, or a hobby … it is everything.
This has been evident not only when we went to Thailand, but also when we crisscrossed the country to visit with Leaders of the Year over the last three months -- a series of features that concludes this month with Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jean Raines.
Can’t wait to see you all at the next event!
