Organisers of the 2013 ProMat materials handling and logistics event say time is running out for those not yet committed as exhibitors.

ProMat 2013 takes place on 21-24 January in Chicago, Illinois.

Tom Carbott, senior vice president for exhibitions of the trade group Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), says 90% of the exhibit space is already sold. Currently, he expects more than 750 exhibitors. MHIA has a commitment on more than 300,000 net sqft. (27,870 sqm).

Charlotte-based MHIA expects the biennial event to attract more than 30,000 industry professionals from more than 100 countries.

Keynotes

ProMat 2013 plans three keynote programs.

Steve Forbes will present on 22 January, one day after the US Presidential inauguration ceremony. Forbes is editor-in-chief of business magazine Forbes and president and CEO of its publisher, Forbes Inc. He was a Republican candidate in the US Presidential primaries in both 1996 and 2000.

On 21 January, Henrik I Christensen will talk about robotic systems that are revolutionising modern manufacturing and distribution operations. Christensen, at the Atlanta-based Georgia Institute of Technology, is Kuka chair of robotics at the college of computing and director of the center for robotics and intelligent machines.

On 23 January, Edie Weiner will moderate a panel of industry leaders examining how materials handling and logistics will impact future supply chains. She is president of New York-based Weiner, Edrich, Brown Inc, a futurist consulting group.

Innovation awards

For eligible ProMat 2013 exhibiting companies, MHIA plans to present inaugural innovation awards in categories for (a) the best new innovation and (b) the best innovation of an existing product.

MHIA is accepting submissions now. The entry deadline is 2 November.

The ProMat innovation award competition targets any "new product, product line, technology or service or new application of existing products or technology that create quantifiable and sustainable results in terms of return on investment, cost savings and customer satisfaction".

On 4 January, MHIA intends to notify finalists. Each must participate in an on-site demonstration on 21 January between 8 am and 9:30 am in their respective booths on the ProMat show floor. A panel of judges will evaluate the selected product or service and choose the winners in each category.

A committee of judges will review the finalists. The award winners will be announced during a 21 January press conference in The Hub on the ProMat show floor.