MHI previewed the 2017 Annual Industry Report – Next-Generation Supply Chains: Digital, On-Demand and Always-On during the morning keynote. Scott Sopher, the principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Supply Chain practice and George W. Prest, CEO of MHI, presented the findings of the 2017 report and moderated the seven-person panel of industry professionals who gave insight, feedback and examples related to the findings.

Over-deliver and over-prepare. These two words radiated throughout the grand ballroom on Wednesday when Magic Johnson addressed the packed room during his Keynote, "The Power of Magic: Know Your Customer and Where They Are Going."
These words came up multiple times as he answered questions from both the audience and from Moderator Mitch MacDonald, Editorial Director for DC Velocity and President/CEO of Agile Business Media.

If you were at Industry Night and saw Dana Carvey, you probably left with little tears in your eyes from laughing so hard -- especially when he did his impressions or maybe because you didn't win that $30,000 trip of a lifetime (which was won by John Hird, Symbotic, C&S Wholesale Groceries). And, you probably have a couple of his jokes going through your head right now, still trying to figure out the punchline - or maybe that is just me. Either way, Dana supplied some great comedic relief last night to a room full of energized supporters. And, if you were there, maybe these lines will help you remember some of the fun skits he shared with us all.

MHI re-launched an awareness campaign designed to not only promote manufacturing and supply chain as an innovative and rewarding career choice, but also to change the perception of jobs in the industry. The goal of the #iWorkInTheSupplyChain campaign was to connect, engage and inspire next-generation workers to pursue manufacturing and supply chain careers. MHI received 16 #iWorkInTheSupplyChain blog entries, one of which won the 2017 Face of Supply Chain Award presented during Industry Night at ProMat 2017:
AriAnne Sproat of Tempe, Ariz., Chief Operating Officer of ITC Manufacturing in Phoenix

During Industry Night, the 2017 MHI Innovation Awards were announced. These awards are given to ProMat exhibitors in three categories: Best New Innovation, Best IT Innovation and Best Innovation of an Existing Product. There were a record 153 submissions for the awards this year. Seven judges comprised of professionals from the material handling and supply chain industry completed the initial vetting process and identified four finalists in each category. The following are the winners:
Best New Product: ProShip, Inc.(Booth: S4480)
Product: CVP-500 Automated Packaging System
Best Innovation of an Existing Product: EuroSort, Inc.(Booth: S2026)
Product: Twin Push Tray Sorter
Best IT Innovation: Ubimax GmbH (Booth: S3691)
Product: Enterprise Wearable Computing Suite

If seeing is believing, then there will be a lot of truth being shared during the course of ProMat. Each day, a video crew will be interviewing keynotes, talking to exhibitors, getting feedback from attendees and sharing their view of the action at ProMat. The videos will be emailed out daily or you can access this link to catch up on what you missed or to see the latest clips.

All on-floor seminars are located in the theaters on the McCormick Place South Hall. See THE Conference App and guide for full session details. There are still plenty of seminars going on today that will address a variety of topics.

With two halls, multiple floors, and a record number of exhibitors and attendees, this map might just be your best friend while you are here.

 

 

10:30 AM – 12:45 PM: Education Seminars
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: Autonomous Vehicle Solutions Theater
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Show Floor Hours

Follow along and see what we’re up to at ProMat by following us at @Poweredbymhi for the latest show information, photos, and specials, and use #ProMatShow as your hashtag!

Located in the middle of the ProMat 2017 show floor, The Hub is an interactive resource center that offers multiple informational and networking opportunities for ProMat visitors. Stop by, plug in, catch up with colleagues at the Social Networking Lounge and Wireless Internet Center, learn more about MODEX 2018, and about the opportunities we offer to manufacturing and supply chain professionals.  

Download the ProMat 2017 mobile app – promatshow.com/app – on your Apple iPhone®, iPod, iPad®, or Android® smartphone. This is a helpful tool for your time at the show. It includes exhibitor listings, the schedule, a floor map, and even a shuttle bus schedule – all at the touch of a button. You can even Tweet using the show hashtag (#ProMatShow) and link to reserve a table at the Bistro with a tap and hold. Also, try the Notes option when at a session. This option is getting rave reviews from attendees!

The latest issue of MHI Solutions is here! Published quarterly, MHI Solutions offers in-depth articles specifically addressing the material handling industry and the accomplishment, challenges and regulations experienced by those involved in it. This issue focuses on hiring and retaining a skilled workforce, from the technologies driving the changing skillsets, to industry–academia collaboration, to how to adapt to a new, more tech-savvy generation of supply chain workers.