IATA will hold its 2026 Cargo Experts Conference in Budapest on 23-24 September, bringing together air cargo specialists under the theme “From Expertise to Execution.” The event is designed to focus on practical improvements to daily cargo operations through global standards, technology and data, with sessions organised around Digital Cargo, Safety & Security, and Pharma & Cargo Operations.
The Digital Cargo track will examine ONE Record adoption, APIs, AI, automation, cargo security, visibility, data quality and interoperability. Safety & Security sessions will cover emerging security risks, dangerous goods handling, undeclared lithium batteries, risk assessment and oversight. The Pharma & Cargo Operations track will look at ground handling, resilience, cold-chain performance, smarter compliance and real-time data for pharmaceutical shipments.
Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s global head of cargo, framed the conference as a working forum aimed at giving delegates ideas they can apply in their own organisations. The programme is open to accredited members of the press, offering a preview of the issues likely to shape cargo operations heading into the final quarter of the year.