IT SEEMS ONLY FITTING THAT CHICAGO’S MCCORMICK PLACE WILL
be home yet again to MHI’s ProMat show. After all, McCormick Place is North
America’s largest convention center, and ProMat does bill itself as the “largest
expo for manufacturing and supply chain professionals in North America.”
From March 23–26, more
than 800 exhibitors will dis-
play their supply chain solu-
tions and innovations in a
space the size of a mid-sized
distribution center (300,000
square feet). That space will
be divided into three sec-
tions: manufacturing and
assembly solutions, fulfill-
ment and delivery solutions,
and information technology
(IT) solutions. Exhibitors
from across North America will be on hand to showcase the following technol-
ogies and services:
; Packaging, containers, and shipping equipment;
; Inventory management and controlling technologies;
; Dock and warehouse equipment and supplies;
; Consultants and distribution system planners;
; Automatic identification equipment and systems; and
; Logistics and supply chain management solutions, which include such
products and services as alternative fuel systems, parcel management, reverse
logistics services, third-party logistics services, and supply chain and logistics
execution systems.
In addition to the exhibition, ProMat will include an educational conference
that features four keynote addresses and some 100 educational sessions covering
leading trends, best practices, and state-of-the-art equipment and technology
solutions. These sessions, which run concurrently with the show, take place in
specially designed theaters constructed on the show floor.
All four ProMat keynote presentations will offer a look at the future of
business and technology. Renée Niemi, director of the Android and Chrome
global business, Google for Work, will talk about ways to transform your manufacturing business using the latest digital technology and tools. John Mackey,
co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, will offer a blueprint for a new
system of doing business called “conscious capitalism.” Scott Sopher, principal
with Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Supply Chain practice, will join George W. Prest,
CEO of MHI, in presenting the findings of the “2015 Annual Industry Report”
from MHI. The report will focus on industry trends and technologies that will
be transforming supply chains over the next three to five years. Finally, Steve
Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and chairman/CEO of Wheels of Zeus, will join
DC VELOCITY Group Editorial Director Mitch Mac Donald for a “fireside chat.”
In the session, The Woz will share his views on the latest iPhones, smartwatches,
and the state of technology and risk in America.
roadtrip
Go big or stay home
March 1–3
The Food Shippers of America
(FSA) is billing its 2015 Annual
Logistics Conference in San
Antonio, Texas, as a unique
one-stop shopping opportunity
for all of the attendee’s supply
chain needs. ( www.foodship-persofamerica.org)
March 6–10
Catch all the latest conveyor industry scuttlebutt at
the Conveyor Equipment
Manufacturers Association’s
2015 Annual Meeting in
Naples, Fla. ( www.cemanet.org/
cema-annual-meeting-2015/)
March 8–11
The Distribution Management
Conference and Expo is the
Healthcare Distribution
Management Association’s
largest supply chain education
event, attended by nearly 500
pharmaceutical industry manufacturers, distributors, consultants, and third parties. (www.
healthcaredistribution.org)
March 16–18
Forklift manufacturers and suppliers will address the latest
industry trends at the Industrial
Truck Association’s Spring
Meeting in Washington, D.C.
( www.indtrk.org/events)
March 23–25
The 2015 Jaxport Logistics and
Intermodal Conference in Ponte
Vedra Beach, Fla., will address
“Challenges Facing Shippers in
South Atlantic Ports.” (www.
jaxportconference.com) p. 28
