ProMat 2013 is right around the corner. It takes place at Chicago’s McCormick Place South from Jan. 21-24. It is a showcase of material handling, supply chain and logistics solutions in North America. The show is designed to offer productivity solutions and information by showcasing the products and services of more than 700 material handling and logistics providers.

To make it easier for attendees to find the solutions they need, the ProMat 2013 show floor is divided into three solution-specific centers: manufacturing and assembly solutions, fulfillment and delivery solutions, and information technology (IT) solutions. An educational conference runs concurrently with the show, and includes sessions on improving operational productivity and visibility in manufacturing, distribution and in the overall supply chain. This format allows attendees to learn about various material handling and logistics solutions in the educational sessions and then actually see the equipment, systems and services that can implement those solutions.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has consistently selected ProMat to be an official International Buyer Program event. ProMat provides matchmaker services for interested buyers and sellers through an International Business Center located at the event. International trade specialists will be on hand to provide assistance.

Manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals from the United States, Canada, Mexico and more than 110 other countries are expected to attend. Over 700 exhibitors from industry, commerce and government will display their productivity solutions on the 300,000-net-square-foot show floor. A variety of manufacturers and other organizations from across North America will have exhibits on display.

The federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is one of the exhibitors at the conference. Attendees are urged to visit OSHA exhibit booth 1485 to learn about the OSHA/Crane, Hoist and Monorail Alliance, OSHA’s Alliance Program and the agency’s compliance assistance activities and resources.

With the presidential inauguration occurring the day ProMat 2013 opens, Forbes Media chairman, Steve Forbes, will headline the conference with a keynote on the impact of the president and his administration on the future of the economy and business growth. Forbes will provide insight and strategic advice for business success during uncertain times.

The ProMat Conference will include two additional keynotes as well as educational tracks on automatic identification and mobile solutions. The conference also features over 90 show floor educational seminars covering leading trends, best practices and state-of-the-art equipment and technology solutions that can make the supply chain work more efficiently.

Some ProMat 2013 sessions feature government participants. On Wednesday, Jan. 23, the federal National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will take part in a program titled “Manual Material Handling Workshop: Engineered Solutions for Manual Handling Jobs.

Speakers from NIOSH and the Ergonomic Assist Systems and Equipment Council will take part in panel discussions. Retailers, wholesalers, and warehouse safety and loss prevention representatives will discuss the problems associated with manual material handling jobs.