THE MODEX TRADE SHOW ORGANIZED BY MHI is designed to provide one-stop shopping for all of an attendee’s supply chain needs. MHI, a material handling, logistics, and supply chain association, envisions Modex as a single place where companies can send their staff members to research new products and services for all parts of the supply chain: from overhead lifting equipment in the plant to automated storage/ retrieval systems in the DC.

Indeed, according to MHI, more than 8,000 vendors will be exhibiting at the show, which takes place March 17 to 20 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. To help attendees more easily locate exhibits, show plan-ners have organized the 250,000 square feet of exhibit space into three solution-specific centers: the Manufacturing & Assembly Solutions Center, the Fulfillment & Delivery Solutions Center, and the Information Technology (IT) Solutions Center. In addition to the solution-specific centers, Modex will feature a Knowledge Center. This center offers industry resources and information as well as more than 100 free educational sessions held right on the show floor.

EDUCATION FOR ALL

It makes sense that the trade show that bills itself as a one-stop shopping event for the supply chain would choose as one of its keynote speakers the former CEO of a retail chain that has built its business on one-stop shopping: Wal-Mart. On Tuesday, March 18, Lee Scott, former chief executive officer of Wal-Mart, will speak on how to build a logistics and supply chain organization that is a market differentiator. The session will be moderated by Mitch Mac Donald, president and CEO of DC VELOCITY’S parent company, AGiLE Business Media.

Scott’s address is only one part of a strong lineup of
educational sessions that will be held concurrently with
the show. Edward H. Bastian, president of Atlanta-
based Delta Airlines, will deliver the opening keynote
address on Monday, March 17. Bastian will discuss
Delta’s role in global commerce and his perspective on
future challenges and technologies that are essential
to competitiveness. He will be followed by a panel of
shippers, who will discuss supply chain challenges and
opportunities for manufacturing companies. Panelists
will represent companies in the aerospace, automotive,
and pharmaceutical industries.

On Wednesday, March 19, Scott Sopher, a principal with Deloitte Consulting and national leader of the firm’s Supply Chain Strategy and Planning practice, and George W. Prest, MHI’s CEO, will present the findings of a new report from MHI. The report focuses on industry trends and issues that will affect business for the next three to five years.

In addition, MHI has teamed up with several partners, which will co-locate educational events with Modex 2014 to provide one-of-a-kind insights into the overall supply chain. A wide variety of seminars, symposiums, and training programs will be offered by the following organizations: Association of Professional Registration to Modex 2014 includes access to the co-located Supply Chain & Transportation USA Exhibition & Conference. The exhibition features a full range of exhibits dedicated to transportation, logistics, industrial real estate, and the future supply chain.