CHICAGO — ProMatproduced by HMIwill return to McCormick Square for the first time since 2019 from March 20 to 23, 2023.
The 2023 edition of ProMat has already surpassed 2019’s numbers in terms of net square footage, number of exhibitors and attendance. This year’s show will span 562,000 square feet and host 1,054 exhibitors, compared to 420,000 square feet in 2019, with 950 exhibitors. Registration numbers are 12% higher than ProMat 2019.
“We are utilizing an integrated participant acquisition effort with traditional marketing as well as an increased emphasis on digital marketing awareness,” said Carol Miller, MHI’s chief marketing officer.We have increased our focus on digital marketing while maintaining an integrated approach. We are also using influencer marketing and looking at digital advertising and new traditional commercial media such as the WSJ and Bloomberg to expand our reach to these audiences.”
The novelty of this year is the StartUp Pavilion and the Robotics & Automation and Emerging Technologies theaters. The pavilion is a specialized area of the show where companies including CompScience, GPX and KamerAI will showcase their new supply chain technologies and innovations.
MHI, which produces MODEX, the 2022 Fastest 50 winner, is offering ProMat attendees more networking opportunities than ever before. The show will feature interactive programming in HUB networking lounges, which will feature social media photos and portraits for professionals. The team has also curated specific networking experiences for young professionals and women, including two women-focused events during the show.
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“In addition to the HUB areas, we are offering networking opportunities for young professionals, women in supply chain and an Industry Night networking event featuring comedian Nate Bargatze that donates proceeds from ticket sales to our educational foundation and World Central Kitchen,” said Daniel McKinnon, MHI’s executive vice president of exhibitions.
This year, ProMat is also implementing sustainability efforts to raise awareness within the supply chain sector about environmental compliance obligations and efforts to address key areas related to responsible sourcing, energy management, greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste.
“MHI is committed to creating more sustainable events in collaboration with our members, exhibitors, vendors and partners. Working with McCormick Place and GES, we are reducing energy consumption throughout the facility through the implementation of energy-saving practices, renewable energy sources, waste diversion/recycling and water management,” said McKinnon.
“This is the first in-person ProMat event since 2019, so the first event since the pandemic,” McKinnon said. “We are excited to bring back this dynamic supply chain event in person after four years.”
Contact Daniel McKinnon at DMcKinnon@mhi.org; Carol Miller at (704) 676-1190 or CMiller@mhi.org