Buying Parcel Transport in a $100 Barrel World: Matthieu Erly's Keynote & Event Summation

I had the pleasure of being invited to deliver a keynote at the Delivery & Logistics Leaders Summit in Berlin. It was an intense and rewarding two-day experience.

Among the various sessions, the keynote by Richard Lim from Retail Economics particularly resonated with me. Not only was it closely aligned with my core expertise—parcel transport—but I also found the methodology behind their 100-order e-commerce benchmark incredibly relevant. The insights they shared regarding consumer behavior and retailer performance are a goldmine of information for anyone in the industry.

Beyond the formal sessions, what I truly enjoyed was the human interaction. The breaks and evening cocktails provided the perfect setting to meet a diverse range of professionals, from service providers and retailers to industrial leaders. It’s often these informal moments, connecting with peers from different countries, that bring the most unexpected value.

As for my own keynote on "Transport Procurement in the Face of the Oil Crisis," I was touched by the several participants who came up to me afterward to share their feedback and thank me.

On my way back, I was chatting with a fellow attendee. She told me: "I’ve been feeling a bit underwater these past few weeks, but these two days have given me a fresh perspective and a new wave of energy to tackle the projects waiting for me." I think she perfectly captured the essence of why we attend these events.

In an era of constant digitalization and video calls, these 100% in-person events are a vital reminder of the power of real-world connection.