Thinking of distribution centers as cavernous facilities full of boxes, pallets and racks is so 20th century. Nowadays, they are hot spots of technological innovation. Think about it: Conveyors that turn themselves off when there's nothing to convey. Customized packaging material made on the spot. Driverless lift trucks. Glasses that can tell you what and how much to pick. If you need to keep pace with the latest and greatest technological innovations, MODEX might be just the ticket. One of the largest expositions for supply chain solutions in the Americas, MODEX will be showcasing products and services from more than 850 exhibitors at Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center from April 9-12.

MODEX 2018 attendees are registering in record numbers for the event to be held April 9-12 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. Here are some highlights from current MODEX attendee demographics.

MHI released the list of finalists for the 2018 MHI Innovation Award. After receiving 111 submissions for this year’s awards from MODEX exhibitors, judges chose four finalists as the most innovative products in each category – Best New Innovation; Best Innovation of an Existing Product; and Best IT Innovation based on concept, value and impact.

It's all speed ahead on MODEX 2018 this April in Atlanta. To start prepping, we’re going to tease some of the educational things that will be happening at MODEX 2018. First? Keynotes.

Modern Materials Handling sat down with MHI's Tom Carbott to discuss the upcoming MODEX 2018 event

When the largest manufacturing and supply chain expo of 2018, MODEX 2018, opens on April 9 it will include 900 exhibits from leading solution providers, a comprehensive Educational Conference of four keynotes and over 100 sessions focusing on best-in-class solutions for manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Smart city logistics and connected supply chains. They are coming. But it will require some reworking of logistical practices. Because we can see it coming, we’re trying to help get you ready. Which is why we have created a Smart City Logistics and Connected Supply Chain Solution Center, complete with it’s own theaters. From IoT to last mile to AI, from autonomous robots to augmented reality to connected freight, we’ve got it covered.

Mike Rowe is a TV host, writer, narrator, producer, actor and spokesman probably best known for his role on Dirty Jobs, a hit TV show on the Discovery Channel. Mike has traveled to all 50 states and completed 300 different jobs, transforming cable television into a landscape of swamps, sewers, ice roads, coal mines, oil derricks, crab boats, hillbillies and lumberjack camps. He also discovered his passion for skilled trades. Learn more about this MODEX 2018 keynote speaker.

The April 10 keynote at MODEX 2018 will feature Andrew McAfee who will speak on Harnessing Our Digital Future. McAfee is the co-founder and co-director of the Initiative on the Digital Economy at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He studies how computer technologies are changing business, the economy and society. Learn how digital technologies such as robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles will impact business moving forward.

The Georgia Logistics Summit is sponsoring two days of engaging content at the Transportation and Logistics Solutions Theaters at MODEX 2018. Learn from over 50 presenters including prominent shippers and logistics leaders like Delta, Tory Burch, Tractor Supply Company and Mercedes-Benz USA.

During a keynote on April 11, George W. Prest, CEO of MHI, and Scott Sopher, Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Supply Chain practice, will share insights from the 2018 MHI Annual Industry Report. This is your opportunity to be the first to have access to this new report on the supply chain trends and technologies that are transforming supply chains. Scott Sopher will join George W. Prest in presenting the findings and moderating a panel of manufacturing and supply chain leaders on the real-world significance of the report findings.

The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) will host an overhead crane safety conference at MODEX 2018. The conference will offer a day of world-class content on overhead crane safety technology and practices, while boasting seven professional development hour (PDH) credits. The conference will be held on Wednesday April 11 and is targeted at plant operations and maintenance staff, including managers, engineers and crane technicians.

Get the answers to some frequently asked questions about MODEX 2018.

See where everything will be located at the Georgia World Congress Center for MODEX 2018 and the Georgia Logistics Summit, scheduled to be held April 9-12, 2018.

MHI has partnered with onPeak to select official hotels for your stay in Atlanta. By booking in the official housing block you receive the lowest rates available over the show dates.

On Monday, April 9 at MODEX 2018, MHI and MHEDA are hosting a Women in the Supply Chain Industry Forum. The keynote speaker is Brenda Wensil, known for her expertise in building collaborative partnerships, developing teams and leveraging cross organizational structures to improve leader performance and drive results.

Atlanta exemplifies Southern hospitality, with individuals from all walks of life adding to this multicultural haven's charm and personality. Learn some fun and interesting things you can do after MODEX closes each day.

So when they announced that Jim Gaffigan was going to be the entertainment at Industry Night for MODEX 2018, I was quite pleased (read: fist pumped madly). If you don’t know who Jim Gaffigan is, he’s a stand-up comic (with specials on Netflix). As an introduction, one of his more famous bits is the one on Hot Pockets.

This year at MODEX 2018, 900 exhibitors from industry, commerce and government will display their supply chain solutions and innovations on the 280,000-square-foot show floor. To help you get to know the MODEX exhibitors, we’ve given them one minute to connect with you! These one minute to connect videos range from serious to comical, each with their own personality and strategy to get you to visit their booth. The video with the most votes wins!

For Industry Night at MODEX 2018, we have a door prize, and we’re bringing back the trip of a lifetime giveaway! You can go anywhere you want! (Up to $30,000 ... which, let’s be real, you gonna get far.) So not only will you get to see Jim Gaffigan, but you’ll get a chance at winning a free trip.

Here are three and a half easy ways to be social before, during and after the show.

This year at MODEX we’re introducing the MODEX Backyard, and, y’all, it’s going to be so cool! Basically, the concept is to bring some of the outside inside. It’s gonna be a backyard! It will be populated with entertainment like games, giveaways, music and more. There will also be real fake grass and food trucks! Outside inside all day long.