Thursday, January 28, 2010

Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and the Automation Technologies Council (ATC) announce that ProMat and The International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show will collocate in 2011. Both exhibitions will be held March 21-24, 2011 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. ATC is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), Automated Imaging Association (AIA), and Motion Control Association (MCA).

“The decision to collocate ProMat 2011 and the International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show was made for several reasons,” according to John Nofsinger, Chief Executive Officer for MHIA. “Collocating the two events will allow manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals unparalleled education and networking opportunities as well as exposure to the largest equipment and technology display of any show of its kind in North America. In today’s world of needing to be nimble and innovative, the collocation is a home run for participants and attendees of both events.”

“Robotics, vision and motion control are important components as companies strive to reach their productivity goals,” said Jeffrey A. Burnstein, President of ATC. “We feel this collocation provides an incredible opportunity for the exhibitors and visitors of each show to meet new prospects and suppliers, see new products, and obtain new knowledge.”

ProMat is sponsored by MHIA and is the premier material handling & logistics show held in North America. The International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show is the premier event for these technologies in North America and is sponsored by RIA, AIA and MCA. In 2011, the event will also host the 42nd International Symposium on Robotics, the world's leading robotics technical conference. The collocation of events is the latest example by MHIA, RIA, AIA and MCA to help end users find solutions to their manufacturing and supply chain challenges.

The collocated ProMat 2011 and International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show will be the largest international event and conference of its kind ever held in the U.S. Over 825 exhibitors are expected to showcase their solutions to tens of thousands of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution professionals from over 100 countries around the globe.

“Over the past several years, ProMat has experienced a steady increase in both quantity and quality attendees and exhibitors delivering more material handling and logistics solutions for the supply chain. The collocation of the International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show is a natural value-adding fit for both events,” said Nofsinger.

MHIA is an international trade association that has represented the material handling and logistics industry since 1945. MHIA members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third party logistics providers. Member companies come from all areas of material handling and various parts of the world, making MHIA a strong national and international representative for the material handling and logistics industry. Much of the work of the industry is done within its product-specific Industry Groups. The association sponsors trade events, such as ProMat 2011 and NA 2010 to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals on the productivity solutions provided through material handling and logistics.

RIA, AIA, and MCA combined represent some 550 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world. The International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show dates back to 1977 when it began as the ROBOTS show. It is held every two years and showcases solutions for companies looking to use automation in order to be stronger global competitors.

MHIA Contact: Carol Miller, MHIA VP of Marketing and Communications

8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201 Charlotte, NC 28217-3992

704-676-1190 • 800-345-1815 • FAX: 704-676-1199

E-mail: CustomerService@ProMatShow.com • www.ProMatShow.com

ATC Contact: Contact info: Jeff Burnstein, ATC, President

900 Victors Way, Suite 140, Ann Arbor, MI 48108,

734-994-6088, FAX: 734-994-3338,

E-mail jburnstein@robotics.org

www.robotics.org; www.machinevisiononline.org; www.motioncontrolonline.org