The opening nears for North America's premier showcase for materials handling, supply chain and logistics solutions.
ProMat 2013, sponsored by the Material Handling Industry of America, takes place on 21-24 January in Chicago's McCormick Place.
ProMat exhibits and several other features will be located in the convention centre's south hall. Three solution-specific centres will focus on manufacturing and assembly, fulfillment and delivery, and information technology.
Concurrent educational sessions on the show floor will deal with improving operational productivity and visibility in manufacturing, distribution and in the overall supply chain.
The US Department of Commerce designates ProMat as an official international buyer program event. ProMat provides matchmaker services for buyers and sellers through an international business centre.
More than 700 exhibitors from industry, commerce and government will participate. Exhibitors include leading manufacturers and suppliers of materials handling equipment and systems; packaging, containers and shipping equipment; inventory management and controlling technologies; dock and warehouse equipment and supplies; automatic identification equipment and systems; and logistics and supply chain management.
Meanwhile, nearby in the convention centre's north hall and on the same dates, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) will offer Automate 2013 with about 180 exhibitors.
Educational opportunities during Automate 2013 will include numerous classes that experienced industry professionals will teach. The classes range from entry level training for a basic understanding of robotics, machine vision, motion control, assembly automation and sensors to more advanced courses.
In addition, Automate 2013 features expert huddles in various locations on the show floor offering discussions of issues. An industry expert will lead 50-minute open discussions, in each case for a small group.
Registration for either the ProMat or Automate show enables a person to enter both halls.