The Power of Presence: Strengthening Rail Freight Connections at Multimodal 2025

In the end, people do business with people. It’s not about companies and statistics but about personal relationships and the best way to build those relationships is by being in the same room.

After the restrictions imposed during the Covid pandemic, many predicted the death of trade shows, exhibitions and face-to-face meetings. But, as employers are also finding, there are many advantages to working in the same physical space as colleagues and customers.

RFG has long recognised the importance of bringing together people with common interests and challenges through our Members’ Meetings and specialist forums, for instance. We understand that we can all learn from each other – as well as do business better – by meeting up and talking.

Since the launch of the Rail Freight Pavilion at the Multimodal exhibition, held at the NEC is Birmingham each year, many of our members have benefited from the close proximity of others in the rail freight industry.

“Being on the Rail Freight Pavilion helps in that it attracts people we can do business with. You definitely get more footfall than if you are separate. People come to talk to RFG people or to one of the others on the pavilion and then realise we can help them as well,” says Steve Freeman from RailX.

He says that face-to-face meetings are especially beneficial when trying to explain a new concept, like the RailX service. “People can tell us what they want and we can work together to see how our service can work for them. They don’t even know they want it until we show how they will benefit. That is so much more difficult to do on an online meeting.”

The Port of Sunderland was also on last year’s pavilion. “The benefits of being on the Rail Freight Pavilion was increased visibility and the ability to network easily,” says Matthew Hunt. “Being part of a larger stand also encouraged collaboration, knowledge sharing, and engagement with industry peers.”

Another RFG member on the pavilion was XPO Logistics – not a traditional rail freight company, but one seeking to work with customers to help them reduce their carbon footprint – using rail and many other methods.

Dr Nicholas Head, Logistics’ UK&I Head of Sustainability, said: “Being on the RFG Pavilion and meeting clients alongside potential leads in person was a real benefit of attending Multimodal this year.

“In addition, the proximity to the speaker theatres was an added benefit and allowed a wider opportunity for networking and arranging meetings with those directly involved with moving freight from road to rail or with those innovating in this space to facilitate the decarbonisation of freight transport.

Finally, the level of interest from rail freight operators and large shipping companies in what XPO Logistics is doing on decarbonisation and how this can complement their own initiatives was a significant takeaway from many in-person discussions,” he added.

So why not consider taking a small space on the Rail Freight Pavilion. Or, at least make sure that you come and visit us at the NEC in Birmingham,  17- 19 June 2025

Join us as an Exhibitor on the Rail Freight Pavilion at Multimodal 2025

Email the RFG team at contact@rfg.org.uk