ProMat 2025: The Essential Supply Chain Event You Can't Afford to Miss

ProMat 2025

ProMat 2025, the premier manufacturing and supply chain trade event, returns to Chicago's McCormick Place from March 17-20, 2025. As a supply chain professional with years of experience, I'm excited to share why this event stands as the cornerstone gathering for anyone involved in the industry. With just two weeks remaining until this landmark event, now is the perfect time to finalize your plans to attend.

What is ProMat?

ProMat is the largest manufacturing and supply chain expo held in North America and South America. Powered by MHI (Material Handling Industry), this biennial event takes place in odd-numbered years, alternating with MODEX which occurs in even-numbered years. The 2025 edition will feature over 1,100 exhibits from leading solution providers and a comprehensive Educational Conference with more than 200 sessions focusing on best-in-class solutions for manufacturing and supply chain operations.

The exhibition floor showcases all segments of the material handling, logistics, and transportation industry, ranging from traditional, manual equipment to automated systems and smart, connected supply chain technologies. This makes ProMat the ideal setting for professionals to stay informed on industry news and trends while enhancing their knowledge and professional networks.

Who Should Attend ProMat 2025?

ProMat attracts over 50,000 manufacturing and supply chain professionals with a combined $70 billion in purchasing power. The attendee breakdown includes:

• Supply chain, warehouse, distribution, transportation, logistics, and 3PL management (33%)

• Plant engineers, project engineers, and engineering professionals (30%)

• Manufacturing, materials, and production management (19%)

• Information technology and e-commerce specialists (10%)

• Sales channel partners, resellers, importers, and exporters (8%)

If you work in any of these areas or your role involves improving supply chain efficiency, resilience, or innovation, ProMat offers unparalleled value. According to attendee studies, the top facilities represented include distribution centers (73%), warehouses supporting manufacturing (64%), manufacturing facilities (54%), and shipping, transportation, and logistics functions outside the warehouse (25%).

Why ProMat 2025 Is Essential for Supply Chain Professionals

1. Witness Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovation

ProMat offers a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the vast array of technology and innovations impacting the supply chain industry. From automation and robotics to AI-powered solutions and sustainable practices, you'll see tomorrow's technologies today. This year's exhibition will highlight emerging trends that are reshaping how supply chains operate, providing invaluable insights for future strategic planning.

2. Exceptional Educational Opportunities

The ProMat Conference includes four keynote presentations from industry thought leaders, including:

• Paul Zikopoulos, VP of Technology Unit Skills & Enablement at IBM (March 17): "The Data Effect: The Price of Not Knowing"

• Azeem Azhar, host of Bloomberg's "Exponentially" (March 18): "The AI Opportunity for Supply Chains"

• Deion Sanders (March 19): "From Prime Time to Coach Prime"

• John Paxton (CEO, MHI) and Wanda Johnson (Deloitte Consulting LLP) (March 19): Preview of MHI 2025 Annual Industry Report

Additionally, nearly 200 educational seminars will cover leading trends, best practices, and state-of-the-art solutions to make your supply chain more resilient, efficient, and profitable. These sessions provide actionable insights that you can implement immediately.

3. Networking and Partnership Opportunities

ProMat brings together the brightest minds in manufacturing and supply chain innovation. It's not just about the technology—it's about the people. The event offers numerous networking opportunities, including the Women in the Supply Chain Industry Forum and the MHI Young Professionals Network Reception2. These connections can lead to valuable partnerships, career opportunities, and collaborative solutions to common challenges.

4. Hands-On Experience with Solutions

Unlike webinars or product demos, ProMat allows you to experience solutions in action. With hands-on demonstrations from over 1,100 exhibitors, you can test technologies, ask questions directly to experts, and compare offerings side by side8. This practical approach helps you make more informed decisions about which solutions might work best for your specific challenges.

5. Stay Ahead of Industry Disruption

In today's rapidly evolving business environment, staying ahead of disruption is critical. ProMat provides insights into how leading companies are addressing challenges like labor shortages, sustainability requirements, and supply chain resilience. By understanding these approaches, you can better position your organization to navigate future disruptions successfully.

Planning Your ProMat Experience

To maximize your time at ProMat 2025, I recommend planning ahead:

1. Register early for complimentary exhibition access

2. Review the seminar schedule and mark sessions relevant to your specific challenges

3. Identify key exhibitors you want to visit

4. Schedule appointments with solution providers in advance

5. Leave time for unexpected discoveries on the exhibition floor

6. Plan to attend at least one networking event

Conclusion

As supply chains continue to evolve and face new challenges, events like ProMat become increasingly valuable for professionals seeking to stay competitive. The combination of educational content, technology demonstrations, and networking opportunities makes ProMat 2025 an essential event for anyone serious about supply chain excellence.

Whether you're looking to solve specific operational challenges, explore new technologies, or simply stay informed about industry trends, ProMat 2025 offers tremendous value. I look forward to seeing you in Chicago this March as we explore the future of supply chain together.