ProMat 2019 again spans two halls to showcase record number of exhibitors, 45,000+ attendees

At 10 a.m. this morning, ProMat 2019 welcomes more than 45,000 visitors to “Find Your Wow,” the solutions that keep supply chains moving forward in both North and South Halls of McCormick Place. Spanning a total of 420,000 square feet, there’s bound to be plenty of innovation and ideas in every corner of the materials handling industry’s premier trade show and educational conference, sponsored by MHI.

“Once again, we’ve joined forces with Automate 2019, which highlights North America’s broadest range of automation solutions,” said George W. Prest, CEO of show sponsor MHI. “Together the two shows bring together more than 1,350 exhibitors across 535,000 square feet—a record number—plus an expanded agenda of educational and networking offerings, attendees can maximize their time and easily connect with the information and tools they need to tackle today’s constantly changing business environment.”

Additionally, ProMat includes 130 on-show-floor educational sessions in multiple theaters in both halls, four keynotes, a special education and networking session for women in the supply chain, and networking opportunities both formal and informal.

As always, the ProMat show floor is divided into different solution centers to help visitors navigate the exhibits. They include:

• Fulfillment & Delivery: Located in Hall B, this area gathers solutions for order fulfillment, order picking and packaging, third-party logistics, warehousing, distribution and transportation.
• Information Technology (IT): Found close to the on-floor theaters in Hall B, this solutions center highlights supply chain software solutions, RFID, auto-ID and data collection, transportation management systems, manufacturing execution systems, logistics execution systems, enterprise resource planning and order management systems.
• Manufacturing & Assembly: Split between Halls B and C, this solutions center includes automated assembly support, intelligent devices, ergonomic and safety equipment, work stations, light-rail and other assembly assist equipment and systems for the manufacturing environment.
• Emerging Technology: Located in Hall C, this solutions center gathers Robotics, sensors, augmented reality wearables, automated storage and retrieval systems, self-guided and autonomous vehicles, driverless trucks, drones and Industrial Internet of Things, blockchain, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence technologies.
• Sustainable Supply Chain: Housed in Hall C, this solutions center features alternative and renewable energy and fuel systems, recyclable packaging and shipping materials, energy efficient lighting, high volume/low speed fans, energy-efficient equipment and sensors, daylighting technologies, sustainable facility planning, power regeneration technologies.
• The Knowledge Center: With on-show floor theaters in Hall B and C, this solutions center offers resources to educate and build awareness of what the materials handling and logistics industry has to offer the supply chain as a whole.

Further, ProMat will showcase four separate keynote presentations, all held in the McCormick Place South Grand Ballroom (S100):

• At 8:45 this morning, Karim R. Lakhani, professor at the Harvard Business School, will discuss “Blockchain Technology for Supply Chains,” detailing how incorporating this technology into operations can have a tremendous impact on transparency, identity and trust, payments, flexibility and responsiveness—resulting in a more efficient, cost-saving, risk-reducing supply chain.
• Tomorrow at 8:45 a.m., “Closing the Supply Chain Gender Gap” will be presented by Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a national non-profit organization working attract more women to technology careers.
• On Wednesday at 8:45 a.m., MHI will release its 2019 Annual Industry Report, developed in partnership with Deloitte Consulting LLP. A panel of industry insiders will discuss the report’s key findings, moderated by MHI CEO Prest and Scott Sopher, a principal in Deloitte’s supply chain practice.
• Also Wednesday, at 1:00 p.m., Marcus Lemonis, a serial entrepreneur and business advisor on CNBC’s “The Profit” will share “The Three Keys to Business Success: People, Process, Profit.”

In addition to the keynotes, the ProMat Education Conference features 130 Show Floor Seminars in enclosed theaters located in both North and South Exhibit Halls—including 17 automation and robotics focused sessions presented as part of the co-located Chief Robotics Officer (CRO) Summit. Also, on Wednesday only, the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) will host its Overhead Crane Safety Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (separate fee and registration required). Student Days returns on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the workforce of the future (and their instructors) to the show floor and on tours of a local automated manufacturing/distribution facility.

Registered ProMat attendees not only gain full access to the North and South exhibit halls, but also free entry into Automate 2019, also housed in the North Hall across 115,000 square feet of exhibition space.

Keeping its focus on workforce, MHI is again presenting the “Women in the Supply Chain Industry Forum” in partnership with the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA). The forum will be held today from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Room S102BC. Paid pre-registration is required at ProMat Attendee Registration or via promatshow.com/attendees/networking.aspx.

For attendees seeking more networking opportunities, MHI’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) will host a free meet-and-greet reception in Room S102D in the South Hall on Tuesday evening—no advance registration required. Running from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., the event is open to current and prospective members of the group as a chance to network and connect with other young professionals in the industry.

What does require registration and pre-purchased tickets ($50 each) is MHI’s Industry Night. Held on Wednesday, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. McCormick Place South Grand Ballroom (S100), the event includes networking and a chance to win a “Trip of a Lifetime” luxury package, valued at $30,000, to a location of the winner’s choosing (see official rules at promatshow.com/attendees/rules). Other highlights include the presentation of the Innovation Awards and the 2019 Young Professionals Network Awards. Comedian, actor and late-night talk show host Craig Ferguson will entertain. Tickets can be either purchased or picked up by presenting an email confirmation of online purchase via promatshow.com at ProMat Attendee Registration between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Material Handling Education Foundation Inc. (MHEFI).

More details about all ProMat-related events can be found in the official mobile app. It offers an interactive map of both exhibit halls, exhibitor search, educational sessions search and information about the four keynotes. Attendees can also access their personalized agenda. Available free at Android and Apple app stores, downloading information can be found at promatshow.com/app.