Equipment and solutions aren’t the only highlights of the Modex 2012 show floor. The Knowledge Center in the rear left corner of the exhibit hall features seven different theaters hosting more than 75 free educational seminars. Sessions run from 10:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday of the show, and on Wednesday of the show from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
“The On-Floor Seminars are presented by industry experts in materials handling and logistics solutions,” said Gary Forger, the Material Handling Industry of America’s senior vice president of professional development. “It’s a great opportunity for attendees to learn even more about the latest technologies and industry developments from exhibitors, industry groups and research institutions.”
Topics range from best practices reviews to maintenance to metrics. Detailed abstracts of each session, with key takeaways for attendees, are included in the show directory. Only a few of the sessions run twice. Each theater holds 100 participants, and it’s first-come/first-served with no standing room allowed.
Industry groups share technology insights
Additionally, “there was tremendous interest from several key industry groups in presenting technology insights at this new show,” said Forger. “We expect a lot of interest and high attendance levels in those sessions.”
Industry group sessions are as follows:
Monday, February 6
124 | 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. “Casters: Do They Matter? Making the Right Selection,” sponsored by the Institute of Caster and Wheel Manufacturers (ICWM) in Theater E
Tuesday, February 7
217 | 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “Pallet Racks & Decking - Considerations for Selecting, Installing, Maintaining and Operating,” sponsored by the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) in Theater D
234 | 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. “Maximizing the Return on Your Conveyor and Sortation Investments,” sponsored by the Conveyor & Sortation Systems (CSS) Group in Theater G
218 | 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. “E-commerce and the Changing Workforce: Shaping the Future Landscape of Order Fulfillment,” sponsored by the Order Fulfillment Solutions (OFS) Council in Theater D
205 | 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. “Straight Talk on Automation: Reality vs. Myth,” sponsored by the Integrated Systems & Controls (ISC) Council in Theater A
Wednesday, February 8
323 | 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. “Strategies to Optimize Distribution Center Business Results via Automation Projects,” sponsored by the Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) Group in Theater E
327 | 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “Reducing Costs with Automated Carousels and Vertical Lift Modules,” sponsored by the Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) Group in Theater F
314 | 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. “Rack Storage - Arriving at Safety & Fitness - Standards & Certification,” sponsored by the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) in Theater C
324 | 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. “Overhead Lifting Solutions Increase Efficiency, Productivity and Safety” sponsored by The Overhead Alliance in Theater E
308 | 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. “Investing in Technologies That Form the Backbone of Business Success Today and Tomorrow,” sponsored by the Conveyor & Sortation Systems (CSS) Group in Theater B
328 | 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. “Picking Technologies Driving Improvements in Order Fulfillment,” sponsored by the Order Fulfillment Solutions (OFS) Council in Theater F
315 | “WMS, WCS or Both? Determining Your Distribution Center Technology Strategy,” sponsored by the Supply Chain Execution Systems & Technologies (SCE) Group in Theater C
325 | 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. “Work-to-Man or Man-to-Work. What are they? What Questions to Ask?” sponsored by the Association of Professional Material Handling Consultants (APMHC) in Theater E
329 | 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. “Storage Equipment - Selection, Application and Use Considerations,” sponsored by the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SMA) in Theater D
If you miss a session—or can’t decide between two being held at the same time—don’t worry. All of the PowerPoint Presentations be captured in PDF format and synchronized in a Flash file with audio recordings of each session. These files will be posted to http://www.modexshow.com after the conclusion of the show.
Modex 2012 is scheduled to be held February 6-9, 2012 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete Modex 2012 coverage.