The inside track

THE INAUGURAL IWLEX (Inside Warehouse Logistic Expo) will be at the Telford International Centre on May 23-24, 2023, and Nairn and his business partner, Justin Craig, have been busy working with key stakeholders to shape an event that meets the needs of the industry.

Nairn Foster (pictured), managing director of IWLEX, explains: “IWLEX 2023 will be the best person to person marketplace for the industry to do business. We are not re-inventing the wheel, but we are introducing innovative ideas and feedback from the industry, hence our strapline – Shaped by the industry, for the industry. We want IWLEX to support the industry it serves and we’re putting a heavy emphasis on mental well-being and mindfulness. These are non-commercial features within the event, but it is important to adopt a holistic approach to business.”

Nairn has worked in exhibitions for 13 years and was commercial lead on another event in the warehouse and logistics market from 2016. He also played a key role in the launch of a robotics and automation event in recent years.

Nairn’s business partner Justin Craig is a successful entrepreneur and more recently ran and disposed an event registration business, working on all types and sizes of exhibitions around the world.

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“We complement each other very well,” explains Nairn. “I have the commercial relationships and the experience in the intralogistics sector and Justin has scaled up businesses before and understands how conferences and exhibitions work.”

Nairn and Justin have appointed Paul Brooks FCILT, FIOD, a former president of CILT International, as a strategic advisor.

Paul is a recognised industry leader with board level experience spanning over 25 years and is a recognised expert in global supply chain and logistics.

Nairn comments: “Paul will join us as a strategic advisor and initially use his extensive network of industry professionals to shape an advisory board that reflects and will support the core pillars of IWLEX. IWLEX is a purpose driven event and with Paul’s expertise we can really generate value for our community. We are thrilled to have him as part of our team.”

Nairn adds: “This goes back to the key point about involving the industry to adapt and steer what Inside Warehouse Logistics is about. Paul Brooks has broad experience and contacts, and we have challenged him to create an advisory panel to help steer the content, and in doing so, open doors to having great speakers at the event, focusing on thought leadership, and adding value for our audience.”

Core pillars

Inside Warehouse Logistics has created six core pillars to guide the event: Inclusivity; Commerce; Innovation; Community; Sustainability; and Wellbeing.

“Covid has affected a lot of people, it’s something that’s very close to our hearts,” explains Nairn. “Wellbeing needs to be championed.

“Our core pillars are themes that we feel genuinely passionate about, hence IWLEX being described as ‘purpose driven’. We are building partnerships beneath each of our core pillars to ensure we really drive through meaningful actions to support them. We acknowledge this is not something we can do on our own, we need support and partnerships.

“That is why we will involve Big Logistics Diversity Challenge, Women in Logistics, and the LGBTQ community. We want to support inclusion and equality. Equally we want to ensure all of our community is supported from a mental wellbeing perspective. “Organisations and their employees are under unprecedented pressures post-covid. It is critical we recognise this and ensure that no one feels alone. Statistics for male suicide are shocking, for example.”

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The exhibition takes place at the International Centre in Telford, a venue that was chosen to give the event a further point of difference to other shows in the market.

“Exhibitions are quite often held in grey, out of town centres that lack amenities, outside of hotels. People go there on autopilot, I feel. We are extremely excited about Telford because the town centre is a few minutes walk from the venue, which offers exhibitors and attendees alike a lot more to do.

“Telford is also well connected, with great industrial estates and warehouse presence itself. The International Centre is purpose-built and big enough to scale the event.”

Nairn concludes: “We are looking to take the best elements of events I have worked on before but create a more inclusive and less rigid platform for people to come together and find what they need. IWLEX will create a new modern-thinking community that does business together and supports the people within it. With a fresh perspective, leading speakers, and the industry’s support, we know IWLEX is must-attend, destination event.”

For more information, visit www.iwlex.co.uk

07359 250670