Last year's Promat gathering.

ProMat 2011, a major US materials handling equipment, systems and services event, will take place on 21-24 March 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

The scheduling in the early spring of the northern hemisphere moves the ProMat event to milder weather from the early January timing of the 2009 and 2007 events during the heart of the midwest's winter season.

Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) sponsors ProMat, which brings together manufacturers, consultants, third-party logistics providers, publishers and systems integrators.

"We are committed to making ProMat 2011 an exceptional event where our association members and show attendees can come together to see what's new in our industry, discover the leading trends for industrial productivity and foster strong business relationships," says John Nofsinger, chief executive officer of the Charlotte-based international trade association.

The organizers anticipate more than 700 exhibitors in a net space of 300,000 sqft (27,000 sqm), again in the south hall of McCormick Place. Attendance is expected to include manufacturing, warehousing and distribution professionals from more than 100 countries.

Features of ProMat 2011 will include an international buyer program providing matchmaker services and a comprehensive educational conference.

The first opportunity for exhibitors to secure space for ProMat 2011 occurs on 21 January 2010, according to Tom Carbott, MHIA vice president of sales and events. The ProMat exhibit space drawing will take place at the event venue, McCormick Place.

Time remaining until the opening of ProMat 2011 is being counted down in the upper left corner of the event's www.ProMatShow.com website, which also has a comprehensive virtual event.

MHIA's next event will be the NA 2010 materials handling and logistics show on 26-29 April 2010 in the international exposition and convention IX Center in Cleveland, Ohio with details at the www.nashow.com website.

MHIA touts the ProMat and NA shows under a registered slogan: Solutions That Make the Supply Chain Work.