More than 300 of the most important senior executives in the global postal and parcel industry gathered in Paris last week for the annual World Mail & Express Europe conference.

Top-calibre keynote speakers including Jean-Paul Bailly, Chairman of host sponsors La Poste, Michael J. Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes, and Klaus Knappik, Chairman of the Divisional Board at Deutsche Post, were among the main attractions at the industry’s premier annual event. Among the delegates were the leaders of more than 30 national postal operators including seven from the Middle East and Africa, and others from as far afield as Brazil, USA, Japan and Australia. Also in attendance was a host of other Chief Executives, VP’s and directors drawn by the lively conference agenda and the various business networking opportunities on offer.

The focus at this year’s conference was on the new realities and new challenges facing the mail and express industry in Europe, and the necessity for innovation, growth and diversification was addressed from a number of viewpoints. Planned Europe-wide postal liberalisation in 2009 was a subject that cropped up regularly, although the majority of the delegates were sceptical that it would happen on time. There was a general acceptance that cross-border barriers need to be lowered, coupled with a fear that national protectionism is actually growing at present (particularly in the form of non-tariff barriers) and that customers will be the losers if this trend continues.

Decision-makers in the European posts were reminded that the downstream access model, so prominent particularly in the UK, would not suit many other European countries, while over a quarter of delegates felt that mail would not even be the core business of posts in ten years’ time. Responding to another of the interactive voting questions, 90% of the audience supported the concept of a pan-European postal operator, and in another session speakers called for cross-border barcoding standards, track and trace and Quality of Service measurement for bulk mail. Another key theme to come out of many of the sessions was that of co-operation, amongst both operators and suppliers, which will be critical to progress if the new realities and challenges are to be faced. Overall, a strong sense of positivity and optimism emerged from the conference hall, and delegates left with much to ponder from a stimulating two days at World Mail & Express Europe 2006.

On the eve of the conference, the 7th annual World Mail Awards were presented at an exciting Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony in Paris. Amongst the highlights of the evening were the two awards for E-commerce and Technology won by Korea Post, and the genuine international flavour of the evening with companies from nine different countries across five continents walking away with due recognition for their work. The prestigious Industry Leadership award, sponsored by Pitney Bowes, was given to Jack Potter, Postmaster General and CEO of the US Postal Service for his outstanding record over many years. A total of ten awards were presented on the night before a large and enthusiastic audience, with a further 21 companies from around the world highly commended for their achievement over the past year. A full list of the winners and photos from the ceremony can be found at www.mailawards.com/Awards/winners.htm.

The 2007 World Mail & Express Europe event will be held in London on 21-23 May next year, starting with the World Mail Awards on the evening before conference. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities remain for the awards, the main conference and the adjoining executive display and networking area – interested parties are invited to contact organiser Triangle Management Services on +44 (0)870 950 7900 or the sales team at nigel.ashton@triangle.eu.com.

Notes for Editors:

• World Mail & Express (WMX) events have been running since 1988, all organised by Triangle Management Services, based in the UK

• Paris 2006 was the 14th European event and 24th worldwide

• 2006 will also see the World Mail & Express Americas event in Rio de Janeiro on 4-5 December, as well as the UK Express Delivery Conference in Birmingham in July, the UK Mail Awards and The Mail Show in London in October / November

• Press delegates are welcome to attend all events

Triangle Management Services Ltd, founded in 1984, is today the pre-eminent independent specialist management services company within the global mail, express and logistics sectors. Triangle offers the following services to clients: Recruitment, Market Research, Consultancy, Conferences and Mergers and Acquisitions - all of which focus primarily on the mail and express industry sectors.