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The place and time to boost your business and forge
lasting business relationships with 330+ members!
Make sure you attend the Coop’s 6th Annual Meeting,
our first in-person freight forwarding reunion since Covid!
Not a member yet?
Already a member?
Not a member yet?
Already a member?
After two years of Virtual Events, we are thrilled to organize a Meeting in Phuket, finally!
The perfect chance to meet your network members from all across the 5 continents.
Meeting in the flesh with your partners is the best way to grow your business!
Register now"Nothing replaces being in the same room, face to face, breathing the same air and reading and feeling each other's micro-expressions."Peter Guber
Looking forward to seeing you again!
Annual Meeting's Checklist
We have negotiated a very special rate at Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort. Book your room
Plan your air travel to Phuket in time to attend the optional group tour we're offering on the morning of the first day and the Welcome Cocktail Reception at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort which will start in the evening.
The Cooperative will provide you with your unique Access Code prior to the Conference. Click here
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival in Phuket and that you have a valid return ticket.
Check if you require an International Health Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccination before travelling to Phuket. Click here
Nestled in the tropical heaven of Phuket’s West coast on an isolated bay, Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort sprawls over 40 acres of lush flora, yellow sands, and the emerald Andaman Sea. The resort with its 416 rooms and 54 luxury suites combines the creative and the elemental with authentic Thai accents against a fantastic beach setting.
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort is just 5 km from the lively Patong Beach. The hotel is just 15 km away from a golf course and 20 km from the famous Chalong Temple and a shooting and paintball facility. From Le Meridien to the Phuket International Airport is only a 50-minute drive.
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort combines peace and tranquillity with world-class facilities meant for all kinds of tourists. No matter if you want to plunge into land or water adventures, indulge in a world-class spa, or experience an unforgettable gastronomic experience, the dynamic services of this resort will definitely exceed your desires.
Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort
29 Soi Karon Nui, Tambon Karon, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83100 Thailand
+66 76 370 100
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hktmd-le-meridien-phuket-beach-resort/
We have negotiated a very special rate just for our delegates:
| Type of Room |
|---|
| Deluxe Room with WIFI and breakfast |
| Single (1 pax) |
|---|
| 5,800 THB (€157 approximately) per night |
| Double (2 pax) |
|---|
| 6,200 THB (€168 approximately) per night |
Please note these rates are limited, so in order to benefit from these special prices, we recommend that Coop members attending the Annual Meeting book their rooms as soon as possible. The rooms are directly booked by the hotel and should be paid upon check-in
Deluxe Rooms feature modern decor and distinctive, stylish bathrooms. Measuring 37 square metres, these rooms offer a divine contemporary retreat with a smooth, clean palette of colours and timeless textures as well as refreshing hardwood floors throughout. Each room includes a private balcony with views of lush tropical greenery.
Deluxe Room Amenities
398 ft2 / 37 m2- Private balcony/patio with table & chairs
- Separate rain/handheld showerheads
- 37-inch LCD TV and media hub
- Free Internet Access
- Fully-stocked Mini Bar
- 24-Hour In-Room Dining
- Central Air-Conditioning
- International Direct Dialing Telephone
- Data Port + Laptop Connection
- Voicemail
- Alarm Clock
- Bathrobes + Slippers
- Turndown Service
- Wake-up Service
- Iron + Ironing Board
- In-Room Safe
- Bedside Lighting Control Panel
Superior rooms
Should you prefer a Deluxe room with beautiful views of the pool or the sea, then check out the special prices we've negotiated for our members:
Book your room
| Type of room | Single | Double |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Pool View WIFI and breakfast | 6,100 THB (€165 approximately) per night | 6,500 THB (€176 approximately) per night |
| Deluxe Sea View WIFI and breakfast | 6,700 THB (€180 approximately) per night | 7,100 THB (€191 approximately) per night |
Rates conditions
- Room rates provided above are special rates applicable for delegates attending The Coop’s 6th Annual freight forwarding Meeting only.
- The above rates are per room per night and are applicable for 3 nights pre and post stay (for the period of 8th – 16th March 2023). All room rates are inclusive of local taxes.
- Daily American buffet breakfast and internet are included in the rate.
- Room rates are quoted in Thai Baht and are quoted on a per room night basis, inclusive of 10% service charge and 8.7% applicable government taxes.
- Basic internet access, which is provided for guests staying in the hotel, can be accessible in the meeting rooms, restaurants and lobby area.
- We have blocked a number of rooms at these special rates. However, they are limited, so in order to guarantee that you benefit from these special prices, we recommend that you make your reservation as soon as possible. Once they are over, The Cooperative Head Office will be unable to assure neither these rates nor the hotel availability.
- Complimentary:
- Cold towels and welcome drink upon arrival
- Porterage fee
- Use of the Fitness Centre
- Use of non-motorized water sports facilities
- Value Adds: 20% off Spa treatments when booking groups of ten or more in the Spa. Bookings must be made, confirmed and pre-paid 30 days prior to arrival to receive this discount.
- Extra person: THB 1,800 net per night charge is applicable for a third adult or rollaway bed (adult or child), with a maximum of one rollaway bed per room and only certain room categories (Deluxe and Deluxe Pool View Room) in the hotel are allowed with rollaway beds.
Booking and Payments
Hotel Bookings- Hotel reservations must be made directly with the hotel. Click here.
- In the case of any changes to your hotel booking, please contact the hotel directly.
- All room bookings must be guaranteed with a valid credit card.
- Delegates must supply a credit card at the time of booking (payment for your stay is processed by the hotel upon check-out).
- All room and room-related costs will be charged on your own account and must be settled at check-out.
Check in/ Check out
The official check-in time is 03:00 pm and the check-out time is 12:00 noon. For guaranteed room availability prior to 3:00 pm, the room must be pre-registered from the previous day at a full night room rate. For guaranteed dayroom use until 3:00 pm, 50% of the contracted group rate is applicable. For dayroom use after 3:00 pm, a full night’s room rate will be applicable.
| Early Check-in | Late Check-out |
| Before 12:00 pm. 100% of room rate. 12:00 pm - 03:00pm. 50% of room rate. |
12.00 pm Normal check out. After 03.00 pm. 100% of room rate. |
Attendees shall be responsible to ensure each individual room is officially vacated by 12:00 PM on the day of departure.
Attendees acknowledge that the Hotel may charge them – as liquidated damages and not a penalty – a one night contracted room rate fee as compensation for the harm caused to the Hotel by unscheduled early departures. An Early Departure Fee may only be charged if an attendee checks out of the Hotel prior to the attendee’s scheduled departure date, without having notified the Hotel by 12:00 midnight the day after check-in of the change in scheduled departure.
Cancellation policy for the hotel room
- Cancellation for the individual reservation must be received at least 7 days prior to the expected arrival. Any cancellation made less than seven days prior to arrival date will be charged at one night’s accommodation.
- In case of No Show, room charge of the entire stay will be charged as the cancellation fee the individual account.
Cancellation policy for the meeting (Meeting fee)
| Cancellation Date | Cancellation Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to and including 10th January 2023 | Event Registration Fees fully refundable |
| From 11th January to 10th February 2023 | 50% of the total fees for Event Registration |
| From 11th February 2023 onwards | No refund/full fees due |
The One to One Meeting Scheduler will open on 16th February 2023
The One to One Meeting Scheduler will open on 15th February 2023 for those agents who have applied and paid for the Early Access to the One-to-One Meeting Scheduler.
From then until a few days before the event, you will be able to choose the partners with whom you would like to meet on a one-to-one basis during the 2 days of the Meeting. In order to do so, we will send all the participants the link and the login details to access the Scheduler program, which is very intuitive and easy to use.
One-to-one meetings are a vital component of The Coop’s annual meetings for freight forwarders. They are crucial for forging and reinforcing the ties between members.
These meetings allow you to learn more about your prospective partner in 20 minutes than in months of conversations over the telephone or emails. Personal relationship which translates in the sphere of business as ‘social capital,’ is a key factor which would allow you to expand your company’s scope and prospects.
Well planned networking activities drive a substantial amount of business deals locally, nationally and internationally and continue to be one of the most important factors in sealing new deals.
Preparation for One to One meetings
- Business cards (minimum 150)
- Company brochures (20-25)
- Information regarding the services you offer and where you operate (perhaps in an electronic presentation)
- Statistics about your company. Eg: Number of shipments from/to
In addition to the above, each delegate should do his/her homework about the agent he/she is having the meeting with. Think about why you are having the meeting, what do you want to know about them and vice versa.
Following the above steps will ensure that each meeting is profitable for both parties.
The Coop’s freight forwarder annual meeting for 2023 will come with a half day tour with the delegates and their spouses. This day trip will allow the delegates to have a relaxing outdoor time and enjoy the vibrant local culture. We have organized this day trip with the aim of providing a perfect balance between business and leisure.
This is an excellent chance to help members break the ice among them and get acquainted with each other under less formal circumstances, so we encourage our members to join us!
Overview of the tour:
Phi Phi Island Tour by private Speedboat
Duration: 9 hours
Time: 08.30 – 17.30
Tour Fare: €95.00 per person
Inclusive: Phi Phi Island Tour with lunch by speed boat, lunch at Phi Phi Island, National Park Fee and English-speaking Guide
Description:
This member-exclusive trip will take you on a speedboat ride to the beautiful Phi Phi Islands where the delegates will be lunching at a local eatery before heading for the sightseeing tour. You will be visiting some of the marvellous locations of the island such as the Viking Cave, the Loh Samay Bay and the Pileh Cove. Your next destination will be the scenic Monkey Island where you can go for some swimming and snorkelling activities before being transferred to the hotel for the Welcome Cocktail Reception.
Itinerary:
| 8:15 - 8:30 | Pick-up from hotel |
| 9:15 | Arrival at Phuket Pier |
| 9:30 | Transfer to Phi Phi Island by speedboat |
| 10:30 | Arrival at Phi Phi Island and doing sightseeing around the Viking Cave, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Cove and Maya Bay |
| 12:30 | Enjoy the buffet Lunch |
| 14:00 | Sightseeing at Monkey Beach and snorkeling at Tonsai Bay |
| 15:00 | Transfer to Phuket Pier |
| 16:00 | Arrival at Phuket Pier |
| 16:30 | Pickup from the pier for transfer to the hotel |
| 17:30 | Arrival at the hotel |
How to book it:
Please select the option ‘Day trip’ once when completing your registration to the Meeting.
Why join the tour?
This tour will not only allow you to explore the gems in the surroundings of Phuket but also foster a sense of camaraderie among members. Apart from the formal one-to-one meetings and the dinner party, the delegates will now get to spend some quality leisure time with their network partners. This can indeed be a very effective way of breaking the ice among members and giving them a chance to establish a lasting bond with their existing and future partners.
Cancellation:
Cancellation for the Day Trip must be received at least 20 days prior to the expected tour. Any cancellation made less than 20 prior to the tour will be charged the whole fee.
| Date | Time | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 11th March | 09.00 - 17:00 | Guided tour (Optional) |
| 16:00 - 19:00h | Onsite Registration (badges and conference items pick-up) | |
| 19:30 - 21:30h | Coop Welcome Cocktail Reception (Delegates and Spouses) | |
| 12th March | 09:00 - 09:30h | Official Opening and presentation by Director Antonio Torres |
| 09:30 - 10:00h | Group (and individual) photograph session | |
| 10:00 - 10:30h | Coffee Break | |
| 10:30 - 12:50h | One-to-One Meetings and FreightViewer | |
| 12:50 - 14:00h | Lunch Break (Delegates and Spouses) | |
| 14:00 - 15:20h | One-to-One Meetings and FreightViewer | |
| 15:20 - 15:40h | Coffee break | |
| 15:40 - 17:00h | One-to-One Meetings and FreightViewer | |
| 17:00 - 18:00h | FREE TIME | |
| 19:00h | Meet at hotel lobby area for transfer to the Restaurant | |
| 19:30 - 23:00h | Gala Dinner (Delegates and Spouses) | |
| 23:00 | Transfer to the hotel | |
| 13th March | 09:00 - 10:00h | One-to-One Meetings and FreightViewer |
| 10:00 - 10:30h | Coffee Break | |
| 10:30 - 12:50h | One-to-One Meetings Slot | |
| 12:50 - 14:00h | Lunch Break (Delegates and Spouses) | |
| 14:00 - 15:20h | One-to-One Meetings and FreightViewer | |
| 15:20 - 15:40h | Coffee Break | |
| 15:40 - 16:40h | One to One Meeting Slot | |
| 16:40 - 17:00h | Conference Closure |
Dress code for The Coop’s freight forwarding conference 2023: Business
- For men: Tie and jacket required.
- For women: Suits, pants, jackets, skirts and dresses that, while not formal, are appropriate for a business environment.
Guided tour
Cocktail
One to One Meeting
Gala Dinner
The hotel is situated 45 Km from the Phuket International Airport, which is about 50-55 minutes drive.
Transfers
- Hotel – Airport limousine transfer or private van is available at a cost. The hotel can also be reached by public transportation.
- Private Limousine THB 1,400 (€40 approximately).-net per way per car (max.3 pax)
- Private Minivan THB 1,900.- (€53 approximately).-net per van per way (max.8 pax)
- Hybrid sedans are available for a Greener option. Rates are inclusive of Service Charge and government tax (currently 17%).
Taxis
We highly recommend just to take metered taxis in Thailand. Should you take other taxis, you will have to bargain the fare.
The taxi fare to the hotel is estimated at THB 900 - THB 1,000 (€24 -€27 approximately) one way.
Covid
LAST UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2022
- - Travelers entering Thailand are not required to show Proof of Vaccination or COVID-19 test results. All travelers can freely travel to Thailand without any COVID restrictions.
- - Travelers are not required to obtain Thailand Pass or Certificate of Entry (COE).
- - Travel Insurance is still highly recommended when you travel to Thailand.
- - Before you travel to Thailand, you should buy your travel insurance for your protection to cover your entire trip to Thailand and book your hotel stay to get the best deals and rates:
- Buy your Travel Insurance now at AXA Thailand.
- Book your Hotel in Thailand at Agoda.com
- Travelers may join our Facebook Group to ask questions, get help and read the latest developments: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtoenterthailand
Visa
Delegates are advised to contact their local Thailand Representative Office to find out if they require a visa to enter Thailand and how to apply for it.
Generally, a foreign citizen who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Thailand is required to obtain a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or a Royal Thai Consulate-General. However, nationals of certain countries do not require a visa if they meet visa exemption requirements as follows:
1/5. Visa not required
Nationals of the below countries are exempted from visa requirements when entering Thailand for tourism purposes. Such nationals will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days. For more information, please see Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand.
They are nationals of countries which hold bilateral agreements with Thailand on the exemption of visa requirements. For more information, please see the Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand.
| Ordinary Passport | Diplomatic/Official Passport | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport holders of the following countries/ territories may enter Thailand without a visa | |||||||||
| Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme | Bilateral Agreement | Bilateral Agreement | |||||||
| Period of stay | Period of stay | Period of stay | |||||||
| 30 days | 14 days | 30 days | 90 days | 30 days | 90 days | ||||
|
Cambodia
Myanmar (International Airport only) |
Hong Kong**
Laos Macau Mongolia Russia (&VoA) Vietnam** |
Argentina Brazil* Chile Korea (ROK)* Peru* |
Bangladesh (Diplomatic only) (As of 21 Aug2018)
Brunei Cambodia China Ecuador Hong Kong Indonesia Kazakhstan Laos Macau Malaysia Mongolia Myanmar Oman Pakistan (Diplomatic only) Singapore Vietnam |
|
||||
2/5. Visa on arrival
Passport holders of the following countries/ territories may apply for Visa on Arrival.
| Ordinary Passport | ||
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay: 15 days | ||
|
3/5. Visa required
Nationals of countries not mentioned above are required to apply for a visa only at the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General in the applicant’s country of residence, or at the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over his or her country of residence. Travellers are advised to enquire about authorised office for visa issuance at any Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General before departure. Contact details and locations of Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General are available here.
4/5. Yellow fever
Travellers from/through countries which have been declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas must acquire an International Health Certificate verifying the receiving of a Yellow Fever vaccination. The certificate must be submitted together with the visa application form. The traveller will also have to present the said certificate to the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the port of entry into the Kingdom.
As for those nationals of the countries listed below but who have not travelled from/through those countries, such a certificate is not required. However, they should possess concrete evidence showing that their domicile is not in an infected area so as to prevent unnecessary inconvenience.
| Angola | Argentina | Benin | Bolivia |
| Brazil | Burkina Faso | Burundi | Cameroon |
| Central African Republic | Chad | Colombia | Congo |
| Congo Republic | Cote d’ Ivore | Ecuador | Equatorial Guinea |
| Ethiopia | French-Guiana | Gabon | Gambia |
| Ghana | Guinea-Bissau | Guinea | Guyana |
| Kenya | Liberia | Mali | Mauritania |
| Niger | Nigeria | Panama | Peru |
| Rwanda | Sao Tome & Principe | Senegal | Sierra Leone |
| Somalia | Sudan | Suriname | Tanzania |
| Togo | Trinidad and Tobago | Uganda | Venezuela |
For more information, please visit the following Thai Embassy website.
5/5. How to apply for a visa?
To apply for a visa, a foreigner must possess a valid passport or travel document that is recognised by the Royal Thai Government and comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act of Thailand B.E.2522 (1979) and its relevant regulations. In addition, the visa applicant must be outside of Thailand at the time of application. The applicant will be issued a type of visa in accordance with his or her purpose of visit. For more information on types of visas and general requirements for each type of visa, please see Types of Visa and Issuance of Visa.
For more information, please visit: https://bsb.thaiembassy.org/en/index and check your closest local Thailand Representative Office.
Location
Phuket is among the world’s finest beach destinations, with fine white sands, nodding palm trees, glittering seas and lively towns. It has something for any taste and budget, with a wide choice of dining and partying options. Aside from visiting the fantastic attractions of Thailand’s biggest island, you can take an exhilarating speedboat trip to the many nearby tropical paradises, including the famous Phi Phi Islands, or enjoy a serene cruise around the mystical Phang Nga Bay. Phuket is blessed with more than 30 amazing beaches to choose from. Patong Beach, Kata, Karon and Kamala have always been the most popular, but the north of the island reveals some hidden gems for travellers searching for a more romantic atmosphere.
Quick Facts
Language: Thai but English is widely spoken.Time: GMT +7
Tax: VAT 7% (Refundable for tourists in participating stores)
Electricity: 220 volts a/c
Measures: Metric System
Tipping: 10% is usually automatically added in restaurants. If not, 10% is an appropriate amount to leave.
Emergency Telephone: Tel: 1155 (English speaking operator)
Business hours:
- Banks 08:30/09:30 – 15:30 Monday to Friday (Only branches in malls are open at the weekend, see below for Mall opening hours).
- Office Hours 08:00/09:00 – 16:00/17:00 Monday to Friday
- Shops 08:00/09:00 – 21:00 or later (Malls are open 10:00 – 20:00/21:00 daily)
Climate
Phuket has a tropical monsoonal climate. It's warm all year round, but it is hot and wet specially from April to May and from September to October. The September-October period is also the wettest, due to the southwest monsoon. Thanks to its position in the Andaman Sea, Phuket weather is mostly mild.
Religion
450 temples serve the 92% of the population who are Buddhist. The remaining 8% is made up of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and a small Jewish community.
Money
Baht is the currency of Thailand. Major currency bills and traveller cheques are cashed easily at hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centres and money changers
Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, tour agencies, as well as certain restaurants and shops. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted, followed by American Express and Japan Card Bureau (JCB). You will need cash for markets, streets stalls and when paying for transport.
Safety
On the whole Bangkok is a safe city. The biggest problem tourist’s face is pickpocketing. Pickpockets generally operate in markets and stations.
When paying by credit card, ensure it is kept in plain sight. The card should not need to be taken away to process your bill.
Cars drive on the left side of the road as per the UK, Australia etc. Watch out for motorbikes; they are renowned for using the wrong side of the road. It is best to use pedestrian bridges to cross roads as cars are not known for stopping at crossings, even when the lights are red.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter Thailand. However, please check with your GP as to what they recommend. Only drink bottled water with the seal intact and avoid ice at road stalls as it’s not usually stored hygienically. Cylindrical ice with a hole in the middle is usually ok.
If you have travelled from/through a yellow fever infected country then you must produce an International Health Certificate proving you have had the yellow fever vaccination. For more information, please click here. The certificate must be submitted with the visa application form and presented to the immigration officer at the point of entry into Thailand.
Manners and etiquette
- Thais greet each other with a WAI (by pressing the palms together at the chest), so if a local offers a WAI then it is deemed proper to return it.
- Smile! It will help you to be more polite and get you out of confrontational situations, which Thais hate.
- Do not point at anything with your feet as feet are seen to be the lowliest part of the body. Furthermore, do not touch anyone on the head as it is the most sacred part.
Dress Code
Dress code for The Coop’s freight forwarding conference 2023: Business
- For men: Tie and jacket required.
- For women: Suits, pants, jackets, skirts and dresses that, while not formal, are appropriate for a business environment.
*Shorts and t-shirts are deemed unsuitable for entry to government offices. To enter a temple, you should be modestly dressed (legs and shoulders covered).
Royal Family
They are to be shown the utmost respect at all times. Even standing on a coin with the face of the Queen would be seen as disrespectful.
Temple
- Dress modestly (legs and shoulders to be covered)
- Women must not hand anything to a monk or touch them
- Remove shoes before entering
Join us to attend
Register now