The trade association MHI will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a 25 March event featuring high-profile entertainment during ProMat 2015 in Chicago.

Tickets for the USD50 event in the grand ballroom of McCormick Place's south hall will go on sale on 1 October at the ProMatShow.com website, with a portion of the revenue designated as a donation to the Material Handling Education Foundation Inc (MHEFI). A reception will offer complimentary beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres.

"For 38 years, MHEFI has supported materials handling and logistics students," says George Prest, MHI chief executive officer. "To date, more than USD2.5 million in scholarships and grants has been awarded to students at 76 colleges and universities. These students are pursuing careers in the industry as engineers, project managers, upper management and professors. Most of them are employed in manufacturing and the supply chain."

Veteran television comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo will perform at the event. Jeff Woroniecki, MHI chief operating officer, observes, "After a long day of doing business on the show floor, this is a great way to allow exhibitors and attendees to unwind, network and enjoy a laugh or two."

Caliendo is known for blending observations, impressions, characters and anecdotes while doing impressions of actors such as Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson and Robert DeNiro, US politicians such as George W Bush and Bill Clinton and broadcast personalities such as John Madden, David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jim Rome.

ProMat 2015 will be held from 23-26 March in Chicago, with expectations for more than 30,000 attendees. In excess of 800 exhibitors are slated to occupy 300,000 sqft. (27,870 sqm) of floor space. Visitors will have multiple opportunities to "find the newest advancements, innovations, trends (in) supply chain and logistics" through the trade displays, educational seminars and show-floor sessions covering all aspects of manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operations.

MHI says that 82% of ProMat attendees have buying power and that 73% of ProMat attendees are in management positions.

Founded in 1945, Charlotte-based MHI produces the ProMat and Modex expositions and characterises itself as "the nation's largest materials handling, logistics and supply chain association".

The next iteration of MHI's Modex exposition will take place on 4-7 April 2016 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.