ProMat 2025 show planner: Discover robotics and automation in Chicago

Manufacturing and supply chain operations innovators will soon convene in Chicago, Ill. for ProMat 2025.

International trade association MHI said its 2025 event will be the biggest ProMat yet, and will include an expansion into Lakeside Hall at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

Over 1,200 manufacturing, material handling, supply chain, and logistics systems providers will exhibit their products and services to over 50,000 manufacturing and supply chain professionals from around the globe seeking productivity improvements for their operations.

ProMat 2025 will be held March 17-20, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CDT Monday through Wednesday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Lakeside Hall will open one hour earlier at 9:00 a.m. each show day. Registration is free.

If you’re a systems engineer, components or software developer, systems integrator, or even an end user of robotics and automation attending ProMat this year, be sure check out these portions of the show:

Robotics and automation demonstrations

Across the show floor, robot and automation system providers will demonstrate their products at their booths, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous lift trucks, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), robot arms, cobots, drones, wearable exoskeletons, components including motors, sensors, and cameras, mobile manipulation robots (MMRs), and, of course, humanoids.

Check out our Show Preview slideshow to see just some of the products that will be on display.

Educational seminars

Over 200 educational presentations led by industry professionals will be hosted during ProMat 2025.

MHI Industry Groups will host numerous sessions, with topics including optimizing ASRS, rightsizing automation, risk management and safety, AI for conveyance and sortation, and automating warehouses during ongoing operations.

In the Robotics Theater, attendees will be able to learn about successful robotic deployment strategies, use cases for AMRs and AGVs, the role of robotics and AI, machine learning (ML), and simulation in order fulfillment, ASRS for cold storage, loading dock automation, how automation can improve sustainability, and more.

Keynote presentations

Four keynote presentations will be hosted throughout the week in the Grand Ballroom (S100):

• The Data Effect: The Price of Not Knowing - Monday, March 17, 9:00-10:00 a.m. Paul Zikopoulos, IBM VP of Technology Group Skills Vitality & Enablement, will discuss the price of not not using analytics to get more information out of data. He will break apart the roles of data collection and decision making to demonstrate the risks of walking by solvable problems and missing out on opportunities that can create tangible competitive advantages.
• The AI Opportunity for Supply Chains - Tuesday, March 18, 9:00-10:00 a.m. Azeem Azhar, Exponential View founder, will discuss AI’s impact on supply chains. Drawing on deep insight, academic research, and practical knowledge, this talk will help ProMat attendees learn how to turn the complexities of AI into clear, strategic advantages for their supply chain operations.
• From Prime Time to Coach Prime: A Conversation with Deion Sanders - Wednesday, March 19, 9:00-10:00 a.m. Athlete and coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is known in the world of college football for his electric coaching style, unapologetic humor, and refreshing sincerity. As current head coach of the University of Colorado’s football team, he now inspires players and fans with his highly motivational coaching style. An expert on teambuilding, fundraising, and rallying communities, Sanders will share his perspective on excellence in this conversation that will inspire ProMat attendees to excellence in their own organizations and in lives.
• 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report Keynote Panel - Wednesday, March 19, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Wanda Johnson, Deloitte supply chain technology fellow, will join John Paxton, MHI CEO, to present MHI’s latest report on supply chain trends and digital technologies that are transforming supply chains. They will be joined by a panel of manufacturing and supply chain thought leaders to discuss the real-world significance of the report findings:
  • Thomas Goldsby, University of Tennessee Dee & Jimmy Haslam chair of supply chain, David P. Perrot supply chain management faculty fellow
  • Priscilla Burke, Stanley Black & Decker director of supplier risk & compliance
  • Rick McDonald, Rick McDonald Supply Chain Advisory LLC CEO and former Clorox chief supply chain officer
  • Randy Jaunzemis, Performance Health VP of Distribution

Food, drinks, and entertainment

This year, MHI is introducing the ProMat Pier, a networking space located in the Lakeside Hall with a scenic view of Lake Michigan. ProMat Pier will provide a networking and relaxation space, offer Chicago neighborhood themed foods, and host happy hours on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.

The ProMat Bistro will also be located in Lakeside Hall, offering buffet lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 12:30 on Thursday. Additional food court areas are in the South hall, with additional cafes and restaurants located throughout McCormick Place.

A Quiet Room will also be available in meeting room S504a in the South building on the 5th floor. Visit the ProMat website to learn more about amenities at the show.

MHI Industry Night networking event will be held Wednesday, March 19 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom, featuring a performance by stand-up comedian and Saturday Night Live actor Jay Pharoah.

Industry Night tickets are $50 per person and include beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres. The door prize for this event will be a vacation package valued at $30,000.

Coverage from the show floor

Robotics 24/7 will be covering ProMat 2025 from the show floor. Limited copies of our latest Special Focus Issue: Mobile Robots of All Shapes and Sizes, can be found at Peerless Media’s booth S4518.

Peerless Media’s Modern Materials Handling team will also be on the show floor, producing the official Show Daily magazine for ProMat 2025.