About two months from now, a huge event will attract tens of thousands when it is held in Chicago. It isn’t a sporting event, a political rally, a free giveaway or even a concert. Every other year the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) puts on a trade show called ProMat. The week of January 21-24, new products, new technology and representatives from hundreds of companies both old and new will converge on Chicago for ProMat 2013.
The exhibitors at ProMat 2013 will come from all areas of material handling and logistics. Traditional equipment makers will be on hand to show products they’re manufacturing. Alongside them will be high-tech logistics and IT systems providers. Professionals from around the material handling and equipment industry will be there gathering information and sharing advice as companies big and small announce and display lots of new equipment and systems. “These professionals come to ProMat year after year seeking solutions that make their supply chains work more productively and profitably,” states the official website, https://www.promatshow.com/ . “ProMat attracts over 30,000 visitors from over 100 countries … The [International Visitors] Center provides matchmaker services for interested buyers and sellers. International trade specialists will be on hand to provide expert counseling.”
Other than new machinery and gadgets, one of the coolest things at ProMat 2013 will be the educational sessions. Experts will lead sessions on a broad range of manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operations topics. “In addition to the exhibition, ProMat 2013 will also offer a comprehensive Educational Conference featuring Keynotes and a show floor Knowledge Center,” says the site. Also at the upcoming show, there will be a competition to name the first-ever ProMat Innovation Award winner.
Publishing executive and author Steve Forbes will be a keynote speaker at ProMat on January 22. Forbes has written three books including Freedom Manifesto: Why Free Markets Are Moral and Big Government Isn’t (2012, Crown Business Publishing) and has run for President of the United States in 1996 and 2000. The other keynote speakers will be Dr. Henrik Christensen, KUKA Chair of Robotics and Director of Robotics at Georgia Tech, on January 21, and futurist Edie Weiner on January 23.
The Automate Show and Conference, sponsored by the Association for Advancing Automation, is once again collocated with ProMat in 2013. Registration for ProMat 2013 also gets you into Automate 2013, showcasing all the new automation technology and solutions. Together the shows expect to draw 30,000 visitors.