2026 FIATA HQ Meeting
The 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting has launched! The annual meeting, held in Geneva, Switzerland, will take the form of workshops, after the great success of this format in the last two FIATA HQ Meetings. The workshop format gives FIATA and its Member delegates to work on solutions to the imminent challenges of the industry with other supply chain actors, and to develop resources and best practices for its member companies.
The event will be held between 30 March-2 April 2026 at the CICG - The International Conference Centre Geneva (with Internal Meetings taking place until Thursday, 2 April 2026. Information on these invitation-only meetings has been sent by the HQ Team).
Please note that a Welcome Reception will be organised on the evening of Monday, 30 March 2026.
2026 FIATA HQ Meeting Registration
Register now to attend the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting 30 March-2 April 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland
Programme
Monday, 30 March 2026
11:00-12:30 Driving Competitiveness of Multimodal Corridors
This workshop will explore practical measures to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness of trade corridors, drawing on real-world operational challenges and solutions. It will engage with the OECD’s work on corridors to ensure the private-sector voice is reflected and showcase practical pilots and best practices that will feed into FIATA’s work on a Corridor Handbook and future advocacy.
14:00-15:30 Mastering Risk Management in Airfreight
This session will examine how freight forwarders can proactively understand and manage legal, operational, and compliance risks in an increasingly complex airfreight environment. Through two focused workshop discussions, participants will gain practical guidance on strengthening contractual practices while also addressing evolving safety and security requirements that directly impact daily operations and commercial exposure.
(1) Thematic 1: Contractual practice and legal considerations
This session will examine key contractual and liability risks in airfreight, including the application of the Montreal Convention and how it interacts with forwarders’ contracts, standard trading conditions, and carrier and customer agreements. It will provide practical guidance on managing liability exposure, claims handling, and contractual alignment with operational realities to better protect forwarders’ commercial interests.
(2) Thematic 2: Advancing safety and security in airfreight
This session will address critical safety and security risks, from dangerous goods and cargo screening to regulatory compliance and data accuracy. It will highlight practical steps forwarders can take to reduce exposure, meet regulatory expectations, and support safe and secure air cargo supply chains.
16:00-17:30 FIATA Working Group Meetings
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
9:00-10:30 Building Effective Digital Learning
This session looks at what defines quality digital learning and what it means for training providers. It will outline the main steps for moving programmes online and consider how the FIATA Minimum Standards can be applied in a digital environment.
11:00-12:30 Turning Sustainable Compliance into Resilience
This session examines how freight forwarders can respond to evolving sustainability requirements. It covers the European Union perspective, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its financial implications, and highlights the global challenge of decarbonisation, given that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has postponed implementing harmonised binding measures. The discussion will include capacity building and strategies for adapting business processes in this uncertain environment.
13:15 – 13:55 Coffee & Learn - eFBL User clinic: Practical Demo, Member Support and Insurance Insights
This hands-on clinic will provide existing and potential eFBL users, as well as association representatives, with a live demonstration of the eFBL and practical guidance on its use in day-to-day operations. Building on the newly released eFBL User Guide, the session will also support associations in understanding how to explain and promote the eFBL to their members, and will introduce the insured eFBL, including key liability insurance considerations and benefits.
14:00-15:30 Cross Border Action Against Illicit Trade
This session explores how freight forwarders can help prevent illicit trade through cross border cooperation. It will highlight practical measures, partnerships with authorities, and approaches to strengthen supply chain security.
16:00-17:30 FIATA Regional Committee Meetings: Turning Global Strategy into Regional Action
These meetings will bring FIATA Regional Committees (Africa & Middle East, Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe) together in plenary to align on FIATA’s key priorities, before breaking out into regional groups to translate global strategy into local action. Each region will identify practical next steps and report back to plenary, enabling shared learning, coordination, and a unified global approach.
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
9:00-10:30 Unlocking Seamless Multimodal Trade in the Digital Age: the new NCD Convention
This session will explore how the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Negotiable Cargo Documents (NCD) Convention enables more seamless, secure, and efficient multimodal trade by providing a modern opt-in legal framework for “NCDs” such as the Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) and the digital FBL (eFBL). It will focus on the practical opportunities the Convention creates for freight forwarders, supply chains, and trade finance, and how it can support smoother cross-border operations and corridor-based trade in the digital age.
11:00-12:30 De Minimis and E-Commerce in Practice: What Freight Forwarders Need to Know
This workshop will examine how de minimis regimes and e-commerce regulatory approaches are shaping the handling of shipments, and what this means for freight forwarders in their day-to-day operations. It will focus on practical challenges and opportunities, including data requirements, customs processes, risk management, and evolving regulatory expectations, helping forwarders navigate de minimis thresholds while supporting efficient and compliant e-commerce flows.
13:15 – 13:55 Coffee & Learn – Leveraging the value of Data
14:00 – 15:30 Unlocking Value with Emerging Technologies in Freight Forwarding
This session will explore how freight forwarders can use emerging technologies—such as AI, automation, and data-driven tools—to improve efficiency, decision-making, and service quality across day-to-day operations. Through practical examples and real-world use cases, it will show how technology can create tangible value across forwarding activities, including operations, documentation, and compliance, while supporting more resilient and competitive businesses.
And
14:00 - 14:45 Mastering Public Speaking
Followed by
14:45-15:30 GS3 Competition Award Ceremony
This session combines an interactive public speaking workshop led by an industry professional with the award ceremony of the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition (GS3). Participants will gain practical communication skills and celebrate the achievements of the competition winners.
Event contribution fees are between CHF 320 and CHF 440 depending on the Registration Type selected. Payment is completed by credit card only, directly within the registration form.
Early Bird fees will be applicable for all registrations done before 16 January 2025.
Tourism
Optional Swiss Tours: Participants of the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting are invited to explore the beautiful sights of Switzerland by visiting and booking directly on the official Swiss Tours website for information on available tours and experiences.
Activities for Accompanying Persons: Accompanying persons are invited to explore Switzerland’s stunning attractions by consulting and booking directly on the official Swiss Tour website for information on available tours and experiences.
Click on the following links for more information on day trips and excursions:
Accommodation
Discounted accommodation has been made available for participants of the event. To book yours at the special rate, click here. You can also book your accommodation during your registration.
Refund Policy
- Event contributions: Cancellation and full refunds are possible until Friday, 27 February 2026. Following this date, no refund will be possible.
- Visa letter fees: In case of a registration cancellation, the visa letter fee will not be refunded under any circumstances. Participants who have been denied their visa application may cancel their registration until Friday, 27 February 2026. Following this date, no refund will be possible.
- Social Events: Attendances not cancelled before Monday, 2 March 2026 and no-shows will be charged an amount of 50% of the cost of the food and beverage, per person.
Kind reminder: your travel/credit card insurance usually covers cancellations fees due to force majeure.
Information on Visas
Participants requiring a visa are responsible for ensuring that they make the necessary arrangements for it. The information submitted to FIATA for the visa letter should be accurate and complete. Any additional visa letter will be charged an extra CHF 30.00. FIATA shall not bear any liability for visa delay or refusal.
Usual deadlines to obtain a Swiss or Schengen visa can take up to 2 to 3 months. The Swiss authorities recommend booking your visa appointment at least 2 months before the planned departure. Please note that visa letters can only be issued upon receipt of payment and are not subject to refund under any circumstances.
Please note that visa letters will not be provided to anyone registering after Friday, 27 February 2026.
Useful links: