The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) has begun its marketing drive in earnest in the lead-up to ProMat 2005, January10-13 in Chicago, Illinois.

More than 700 exhibitors will showcase their materials handling and logistics solutions at Chicago's 300,000 square foot (27,870 square metres) McCormick Place South exhibition hall. ProMat showcases the glitz and glamour of the international materials handling industry in what is the US's signature event.

ProMat 2005 will be divided into four solution-specific sections: equipment and components for manufacturing solutions, fulfilment and delivery solutions, IT solutions and assembly logistics and support solutions. An educational conference, sponsored by the Material Handling Institute, will also focus on improving productivity in these four areas.

Speakers include Sandy Towle (ARC Advisory Group), Dr John White (University of Arkansas), Boda Rao (Seagate Technology) and Simon Langford (Wal-Mart Stores).

ProMat visitors will also be able to visit the MHIA's 25,000 square foot (2322 square metres) radio frequency identification (RFID) Knowledge Centre, which will feature interactive presentations and information from companies at the forefront of RFID adoption.

As the organisers say, "ProMat 2005 will be the most comprehensive international material handling and logistics show and conference held in the US in 2005".