Maastricht conference to discuss F-gas

BRUSSELS: The European Cold Storage and Logistics Association (ECSLA) is promising a whole new format for its Winter Cold Chain Logistics Conference & Trade Show this month. 

The new management team has swept away the compartmentalised approach of the past and replaced it with a single integrated conference programme, open to all delegates.

The two-day event takes place on 24-26 February 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Maastricht.

The speaker programme runs over one-and-a-half days, with a full-day on Monday February 24 and a morning session on February 25. On Tuesday afternoon a closed session for direct and affiliated members of ECSLA will focus on the Association’s future strategy and planning. A parallel programme is scheduled Tuesday afternoon for other delegates. Site visits are planned on February 26.

“We’ve organised a sharply-focused conference programme around three themes of key interest to the business,” said ECSLA secretary general, Christine Weiker. “The trade show will run in parallel to the conference, offering delegates the chance to learn about the latest industry-relevant technology and product developments.”

One of the major topics for discussion will be the proposed changes to the F-gas regulations. In a session entitled A world without F-gases delegates will learn what the EU rules actually mean in practice for cold store operators, ending with a brief overview and case study of what future alternative cooling technology could look like and its impact once installed.

There will be lots of time for networking with the social highlight being a gala dinner set to take place on Monday February 24 in an exciting “underground” venue just outside Maastricht, in the hills of South Limburg. The organisers promise a festive evening with culinary delights, musical surprises and an awards ceremony honouring several industry leaders that have significantly contributed to ECSLA since its merger with the former GCCA European division several years ago.

Participation in the Maastricht conference is open to all, but discounted rates are available for members of ECSLA, the GCCA, and all national cold storage associations affiliated to ECSLA.

All conference information is available on www.ecsla.eu