Modex 2014 throws open its doors to 25,000 attendees, offers access to SCT

At 10 a.m. this morning, the Georgia World Congress Center Hall B welcomes up to 25,000 visitors to Modex 2014—the materials handling industry’s premier trade show and educational conference, sponsored by MHI.

Attendees will find more than 750 exhibits from industry, commerce and government showcased throughout the 230,000 square foot show floor (an increase from 180,000 square feet at the inaugural Modex in 2012). Also included are three keynotes and more than 90 educational sessions spread over four days.

“It’s shaping up to be an incredible show,” said George Prest, CEO of MHI. “We’ve moved from Hall C to Hall B to accommodate the demand for exhibit space, as well as to add 15,000 square feet to co-locate the inaugural Supply Chain & Transportation USA Exhibition & Conference (SCT).”

To further make the event a one-stop destination, registered attendees not only gain full access to Modex, but also free entry into the SCT exhibits. There, four solution centers—transportation, logistics, industrial real estate and the future of supply chain—are located inside the Modex show, to the left of the main entrance.

“Adding the SCT show gives attendees more opportunities to maximize their time, and reinforces Modex’s position as the largest supply chain show in North and South America,” Prest added.

Although this is only the second Modex show, the event’s growth wasn’t a surprise to MHI, he said. “It validates all the research we did before we launched Modex that said supply chain professionals were looking for an event like this.”

The growth in attendance and exhibit space mirrors the growth at MHI’s other major show, ProMat. MHI held its space draw for ProMat in December 2013, setting a new record of 229,375 square feet sold—representing 75% of the planned exhibit area of 305,000 square feet, said Prest.

“Our industry is at a really strong place in the economic cycle right now. Companies are looking to invest in productivity,” he added. “We saw industry growth of 8% in 2013, and we’re projecting double-digit growth for 2014.”

Because of that, Prest anticipates that attendees will be trolling the exhibit aisles with project plans in hand. They’ll also be looking to get new ideas about how to improve their supply chain efficiencies. To accommodate that, MHI places a strong emphasis on creative solutions, hosting the second installment of the Innovation Awards for new and existing products.

“We debuted the Innovation Awards at ProMat 2013, and it was a huge success, with more than 75 entries,” said Prest. “With the speed of change happening exponentially, attendees have told us in exit surveys that they specifically come to MHI shows to seek out new ideas about how they can increase productivity and maximize their bottom line.”

Additionally, he added, Modex has 13 co-located education partners presenting events at the show, the largest being the Georgia Logistics Summit, held Tuesday and Wednesday upstairs from the show floor.

Information about all Modex -related events can be accessed with the official Modex app. The app offers an interactive map, exhibitor search, educational sessions search and information about the three keynotes. Attendees can also access their personalized agenda using the mobile app. Available free at both Android and Apple app stores, downloading information can be found at http://www.modexshow.com/app.

To make it easier for attendees to find the solutions they need, the show floor is divided into four solutions centers:

• Manufacturing & Assembly: Featuring automated assembly support, intelligent devices, robotics, ergonomic and safety equipment, workstations, light-rail and other assembly assist equipment and systems for the manufacturing environment.
• Fulfillment & Delivery: Showcases solutions for traditional or e-commerce order fulfillment, order picking and packaging, third-party logistics, warehousing, distribution or transportation.
• Information Technology (IT): Highlighting 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.
• The Knowledge Center: Offering resources to educate and build awareness of what the material handling and logistics industry has to offer the supply chain as a whole.

At the conclusion of today’s event, join other attendees and exhibitors at MHI’s Industry Night at the Georgia Aquarium. Conveniently located within walking distance of the Georgia World Congress Center, all of the world’s largest aquarium’s exhibits will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per guest, pre-paid at http://www.modexshow.com, and can be picked up at the Modex registration counter between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by presenting an e-mail confirmation. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks are included, and shuttle buses will run between the aquarium and all show hotels.

This year, Modex features three keynote addresses. The first—co-sponsored by MHI and the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Supply Chain Leadership Council—runs this morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. in Hall B’s room B312-314 and features Gil West, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Delta Airlines and William L. Strang, president, Americas for the Operations Group at TOTO USA and chairman of TOTO. Tomorrow morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. also in Hall B’s room B312-314, businessman Lee Scott, Walmart’s president and CEO from 2000 to 2009 will detail how to build a logistics and supply chain organization that is a market differentiator. On Wednesday, the final keynote presentation unveils the key findings of the annual MHI Industry Report, conducted in partnership with Deloitte Consulting. The “Preview of the MHI Industry Report—Trends Driving Supply Chain Innovations” will be presented by George Prest, CEO of MHI and Scott Sopher of Deloitte from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. in the same location.

Grab your badge, stroll the aisles, and check out the latest logistics and materials handling solutions that make the supply chain work at Modex 2014.

Modex 2014 is scheduled to be held March 17-20, 2014 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Conference Center. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete Modex 2014 coverage.