Five days of business, collaboration, new opportunities, shared experiences and genuine friendship brought the international 4NEXT Global community together once again for the 4NEXT Global Annual General Meeting 2026 in beautiful Cesme, Turkiye.
Taking place from 13th–17th September 2026, this year’s AGM brought together freight forwarders, logistics professionals, importers, exporters and business leaders from around the world for what proved to be our biggest and most ambitious event to date.
From structured one-to-one meetings and Industry Day discussions to team-building activities, networking evenings and a final cultural experience in Ephesus, AGM 2026 reflected what 4NEXT Global is all about: creating trusted relationships that lead to genuine opportunities.
Here is a look back at five unforgettable days in Cesme.
Day 1 – Arrivals and the Welcome Cocktail
AGM 2026 began as members arrived in Cesme from across the world, bringing together familiar faces alongside newer members of the growing 4NEXT Global community.
The first evening gave everyone the opportunity to reconnect, meet new contacts and settle into what would become a busy few days of meetings, activities and events.
Our Welcome Cocktail, kindly sponsored by ECL Global Logistics, provided the perfect start.
Over drinks and conversation, members were able to renew relationships built through previous 4NEXT events while beginning new conversations with people they were meeting in person for the first time.
It set the tone for the week ahead: relaxed, welcoming and focused on building relationships beyond the exchange of business cards.
Day 2 – Business, Technology and Collaboration
Day 2 marked the start of the main business programme.
The day began with the 4NEXT Global HQ Report, followed by an address from 4NEXT Global President Sarper Ilter, who shared his vision for the continued development of the network and the opportunities ahead for its members.
We were also pleased to hear from our longstanding Platinum Sponsor, Italmondo Group, whose continued support reflects the strong partnerships that have developed within the 4NEXT community.
Business sessions were balanced with team formation and team-building activities, encouraging members to interact outside their usual business circles and helping new relationships develop naturally.
Several rounds of structured one-to-one meetings then gave members dedicated time to learn more about one another’s businesses, discuss trade opportunities and identify areas where they could work together.
Technology and innovation were also firmly on the agenda, with Massimo G. Pozzi Chiesa of Italmondo Group introducing Lauri AI and exploring how emerging technology is beginning to influence the logistics industry.
After a productive day, members headed into Cesme for dinner at a local restaurant, continuing conversations in a more informal setting.
It was a day that combined meaningful commercial opportunities with knowledge sharing, collaboration and the personal relationships that make a global network stronger.
Day 3 – Team Building and an Evening at Momo Beach
Following a busy day of meetings, Day 3 offered the opportunity to experience more of Cesme while continuing to strengthen the relationships developed during the AGM.
After lunch, members took part in a fun two-part team-building activity at Cesme Pazar, exploring the marina and pazar area while working together as teams.
The activity encouraged plenty of interaction, friendly competition and laughter, giving members a chance to spend time together away from the meeting room.
After a short break, everyone came together again for a memorable evening at Momo Beach Bar Cesme.
Sponsored by our founding member BR PARTNERS, the evening brought together great food, drinks, dancing, a DJ and entertainment in a spectacular seaside setting.
It was another reminder of the importance of the human side of international business. Some of the strongest professional relationships begin through informal conversations and shared experiences, and evenings like this are an important part of what makes the 4NEXT community different.
Day 4 – 4NEXT Global Industry Day
Day 4 saw the AGM move into one of its most important events: 4NEXT Global Industry Day.
Industry Day brought together the 4NEXT community with importers, exporters, logistics professionals and wider supply-chain stakeholders for a full day centred around knowledge sharing, new technologies, networking, collaboration and new business opportunities.
The programme began with opening speeches before a keynote presentation from Tamer Taşkın, Chairman of PETROFER and Honorary Consul-General of South Africa.
This was followed by the New Technologies in Logistics Panel, sponsored by Odyssey New Media.
Moderated by Gulcan Ergun of DCUBE, the panel brought together Massimo Gerardo Pozzi Chiesa of Italmondo Group and Robert Stoubos of Odyssey New Media to discuss the increasing role of technology within logistics and the opportunities emerging as the industry continues to evolve.
Following the morning sessions, attendees came together for the Industry Day Lunch, generously sponsored by Ponte Logistics.
A 4NEXT Global network presentation then provided further insight into the community and its continued development before attendees moved into two dedicated rounds of one-to-one meetings.
These sessions were an important part of Industry Day, giving freight forwarders, importers, exporters and other attendees the chance to move from introductions into focused business discussions.
As the formal programme came to an end, the Industry Day Happy Hour, sponsored by Phoenix Global Freight Group, provided another opportunity to continue conversations in a relaxed environment.
The day concluded in style with the Gala Awards Night, bringing members, partners and guests together to celebrate the 4NEXT community and an exceptional AGM.
Industry Day demonstrated exactly what can happen when people from across the supply chain come together in the same room: ideas are exchanged, trusted relationships develop and new connections can begin turning into real business opportunities.
Day 5 – Ephesus and a Final Shared Experience
After four packed days, Day 5 provided a fitting closing chapter to AGM 2026.
Following breakfast, members travelled together to the ancient city of Ephesus, giving everyone the opportunity to experience one of Turkiye’s most remarkable historic destinations.
After days filled with business discussions, meetings and networking, the trip provided time to relax, explore and enjoy one final shared experience together before journeys home began.
It was an appropriate way to conclude an event that had always been about much more than business alone.
More Than a Business Network
AGM 2026 once again demonstrated that successful international logistics partnerships are built on more than rates, routes and transactions.
They are built on trust.
Across five days in Cesme, members had the opportunity to meet face-to-face, better understand each other’s businesses, discuss opportunities, exchange ideas and, importantly, spend meaningful time together.
The structured one-to-one meetings and Industry Day created a strong platform for commercial discussions, but the team activities, dinners, drinks, celebrations and cultural experiences played an equally important role.
Together, these moments help transform professional contacts into trusted partners and trusted partners into genuine friendships.
That relationship-led philosophy remains at the heart of 4NEXT Global.
Thank You to the 4NEXT Global Community
An event of this scale would not be possible without the people and organisations who support it.
We would like to thank every member, attendee, guest, speaker and partner who travelled to Cesme and contributed to AGM 2026.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to our sponsors, including Italmondo Group, ECL Global Logistics, BR PARTNERS, Odyssey New Media, Ponte Logistics and Phoenix Global Freight Group, whose support helped make the event possible.
Most importantly, thank you to the entire 4NEXT Global community for the energy, openness and collaborative spirit shown throughout the week.
AGM 2026 may have finished, but the conversations, connections and opportunities created in Cesme will continue long after everyone has returned home.
Five days. One global community. Countless new possibilities.
We look forward to seeing where the relationships built at 4NEXT Global AGM 2026 lead next!
Do you want to learn more about the 4NEXT Global Logistics Network?
We connect freight forwarders and logistics professionals worldwide, providing access to trusted partners, exclusive industry insights and in-person networking events.
You can contact us today to join or learn more about member benefits by emailing us at info@4nextglobal.com or calling on +905323691686.