MODEX 2020 Show Planner - Record number of exhibitors planned

This is an excerpt of the original article. It was written for the January-February 2020 edition of Supply Chain Management Review. The full article is available to current subscribers.

January-February 2020

If the holidays at your household were like most, the gifts were chosen and wrapped with care, and then half were returned in the week after Christmas. Maybe more than half. After all, who among us hasn’t bought four shirts in a variety of sizes and colors with the intent of keeping one and returning three. And why not: Retailers and e-tailers alike have made returns seamless, easy and cheap. At least for the shopper. For the supply chains of the retailer, manufacturer or brand owner, returns are a once-neglected area that is growing into a major focus of supply chain managers who don’t want to see their organizations lose their shirt taking…

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The Georgia World Congress Center is set to welcome more than 35,000 visitors to Modex 2020—the largest manufacturing and supply chain expo of the year. Scheduled to be held March 9 to 12, it’s the biggest Modex yet, says George W. Prest, CEO of show sponsor MHI, and one for the record books.

Modex 2020’s exhibits represent all segments of the materials handling, logistics and transportation industry, from traditional, manual equipment to computerized, automated systems and smart, connected supply chain technologies.

“At this fifth-annual Modex, attendees can explore the solutions that keep their supply chains moving forward across 370,000 net square feet of exhibition space in one contiguous hall,” says Prest. “We’re now at more than 35,000 visitors and larger than ProMat 2015, which was a record at the time.”

950 exhibitors and counting

With more than 950 exhibitors, Modex now features one large exhibition hall on a single floor—a renovation that added 100,000 square feet of space in the facility’s Hall B (which is now connected to Hall C). The conference features more than 150 show floor educational seminars on leading trends, best practices and state-of-the-art equipment and technology solutions that can make manufacturing and the entire supply chain work more efficiently and profitably.

According to Prest, growing interest in transportation and logistics solutions center has been expanding significantly and drove some of the need for the expanded floor space. Now all in one contiguous hall, this year’s solutions centers include:

Manufacturing & assembly

This solution center reaches those looking for automated assembly support, intelligent devices, robotics, ergonomic and safety equipment, workstations, overhead lifting equipment, light rail, and other equipment designed for a manufacturing environment.

Information technology

In today’s world of constantly changing technologies, it’s no surprise that many Modex attendees come looking for IT and visibility solutions, systems integration and consulting services. The IT solution center puts your company in the middle of the buyers who need manufacturing and supply chain systems, software and automatic identification solutions.

Fulfillment & delivery

Eager to show potential buyers your order fulfillment, e-commerce and omni-channel fulfillment, order packing and packaging, third-party logistics, warehousing, distribution, or transportation solutions? The fulfillment & delivery solution center directs them straight to you.

Transportation & logistics

This solution center lets buyers see, touch and operate transportation and logistics solutions, including road, rail, sea and air freight transportation, as well as parcel delivery, security, autonomous vehicles, robotics, sensors, supply chain management software, third party logistics and reverse logistics.

Emerging technologies

As leading-edge technologies continue to disrupt traditional supply chains by creating more-efficient next-generation models that are on-demand and always-on, your customers want next-generation supply chain solutions. Those solutions include sensors, software, Cloud computing, driverless vehicles, robotics and automation, predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, omni-channel fulfillment, augmented reality, and wearable and mobile technologies.

The keynote lineup

Modex will also showcase four separate keynote presentations, all held in Hall B’s Thomas Murphy Ballroom on Level 5.

On Monday, March 9 at 8:45 a.m., U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2017-2019), Nikki Haley tells her personal story of leadership with grace and grit and her outlook for the future. The former governor of South Carolina will also emphasize the importance of the role of the supply chain to the economic development of the United States and to global commerce.

On Tuesday, March 10 at 8:45 a.m., EMOTIV’s founder and CEO Tan Le will present “The Neurogeneration–The Future is Closer Than You Think.” Technology is transforming the ways we work, live and think. The advances that are on the near horizon offer us ways of integrating humans and machines.

On Wednesday, March 11 at 8:45 a.m., MHI will release its 2020 Annual Industry Report. This is your opportunity to be the first to access this new report on the supply chain trends and technologies that are transforming supply chains.

And, on Wednesday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m., Peyton and Archie Manning share their stories about the power of teamwork, collaboration, preparation and giving back both on the field and in business. Peyton Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time NFL MVP, and his father Archie Manning is also a former NFL quarterback and patriarch of the famous Manning family.

Special features you won’t want to miss

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 Monday from 12 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room B402. Paid pre-registration is required via modexshow.com/attendees/networking.aspx or at attendee registration.

For attendees seeking more networking opportunities, MHI’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) will host a free meet-and-greet reception in Room B405 on Tuesday evening—no advance registration required. Running from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the event is open to both current and prospective members of the group as a chance to network and connect with other young professionals in the industry.

MHI’s Industry Night will be held on Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Hall B’s Thomas Murphy Ballroom on Level 5. The event includes networking and a chance to win a “Trip of a Lifetime” luxury package for four valued at $30,000 (see official rules at modexshow.com/attendees/rules.aspx). This event requires registration and pre-purchased tickets.

Other highlights include the presentation of the Innovation Awards and the MHI Young Professionals Awards and comedian Hasan Minhaj will entertain. Tickets can be purchased or picked up by presenting an email confirmation of online purchase on modexshow.com at 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).

Modex is also hosting the 2020 Atlanta Supply Chain Awards, which will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 10. The award recognizes dedicated professionals and outstanding organizations leading the way in the Metro Atlanta Supply Chain community. A portion of proceeds will benefit community service programming from APICS, CSCMP Atlanta Roundtable and the Metro Atlanta Chamber. All companies with a presence in the 29 county Metro Atlanta area are eligible to participate in the program. For more information visit atlantasupplychainawards.com (the 2019 Atlanta Supply Chain Awards sold out, so be sure to register early).

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