ProMat in Chicago with your peers

Meeting, networking, and sharing experiences with colleagues can be as valuable as taking a course or reading the latest professional book.

By -- Modern Materials Handling, 2/1/2001

The opportunity to advance one's career through formal professional development programs and certification is touted in this column on an almost a monthly basis. It's one of the benefits of an organization such as the Materials Handling & Management Society. You have heard it before and you will hear it again as new programs come on line.

However, this month I will give it a rest as I relate yet another benefit of this professional society. There is a chance you are reading this while at the same time members of MHMS are meeting in Chicago at ProMat 2001. Meeting, networking, and sharing experiences with your peers can be as valuable, and on occasion more valuable, than taking a course or reading the latest professional book.

You have heard it said that experience is the best teacher. No doubt there is another member of MHMS who has faced a similar problem or situation to one you are now facing and is more than willing to relate what he/she learned.

It is just such an interaction that is taking place in Chicago this month. Three events are occurring. First, the local MHMS chapter presidents are meeting on Sunday afternoon, February 11 ^th , the day before the opening of the show. They are discussing chapter programming, membership, and the common needs of the members and how the Society can help meet those needs.

Second, there is a national general membership meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 13 ^th ,. There, members get to not only meet and be sociable, but also to learn about future directions of the society and to voice their individual needs for professional development services.

Thirdly, in case you missed it in the promotion leading up to ProMat, the conference that is a part of the trade show is in fact co-sponsored by MHMS. The 5% conference registration discount that MHMS members enjoy is certainly worth noting. It can more than offset the annual membership dues.

But the real benefit from ProMat, which is what got me started on this angle for the column, is the sharing of experiences that will take place by those in attendance, in the individual sessions, at the breaks, and even over a meal at a favorite Chicago haunt.

Lastly, someone will be honored as Material Handler of the year by MHMS at the Modern Materials Handling Productivity Awards banquet on Monday night, February 12 ^th .

February is a big month for MHMS. It epitomizes all the reasons one should look to MHMS as the society to help one grow professionally. I hope you are in Chicago in February and take advantage of all that is ProMat.

For more information visit our web site at www.mhia.org/mhms or call 704-676-1183.