Trade shows are back in the spotlight, in the wake of the recent LogiMAT in Germany and the upcoming MODEX in the United States.
If the European show is any indicator, the Atlanta event will be a busy one. Already, exhibitor numbers are significantly up on the last show two years ago - just as LogiMAT showed a big rise in companies displaying their wares.
Some say the best indicator of the state of the market is not the number of vendors, but rather the level of buyer interest, as measured by visitor numbers.
Of course, its a busy year for buyers, with the biggest show in the sector, CeMAT, returning in May for the first time since 2011. After a three-year absence, one would expect big numbers this year as the show prepares for an alternate-year run schedule - and Forkliftaction.com News will be there to check.