As Georgia Ports Expand, MODEX 2018 and Exhibitors Positioned to Answer the Call
By Greg Baer, MHI Director of Sales | @GbaerGreg
In 2010, MHI took a calculated risk and made the decision to retire the long running North American (NA) Material Handling Show in Cleveland, OH. In its place would be a brand new trade show that was material handling at its core but would also reach the broader supply chain. That show was MODEX and was strategically positioned in Atlanta, GA. Now retired MHI CEO, John Nofsinger, explained the Associations decision in a September 10, 2010 Lift & Access Magazine article. In that article, Mr. Nofsinger said that “over the next decade as much as 25 percent of trade could shift from the West Coast once the Panama Canal is complete, as five new terminals in the Gulf and East Coast are currently scheduled to open while only two are planned for the West Coast. MODEX is designed to put you ahead of this supply chain shift.”
A little over 7 years after that article was published, the Georgia Port Authority (GPA) released its Report for December 2016 and the Port of Savannah saw a 12.3% growth in December cargo volumes. Of particular interest is the announcement of a new inland port just a short drive up the road from where MODEX 2018 will open its doors. Per GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch, inland ports, like the Appalachian Inland Port being constructed in Murray County, GA, are “magnets for industry” and offer “important opportunities for economic development.” Evidence of this can already be seen in Murray County, GA as a leading carpet manufacturer built a new facility next to the Appalachian Inland Port to take advantage of the terminals future benefits. Three hours southeast of Atlanta as the port of Savannah expands and grows to accommodate the worlds largest Post-Panamax container ships, the 2016 State of the Georgia Ports address highlights private investment and job growth in the form of DCs and warehouses for major retailers and logistics providers for cargo, automotive and other manufacturing.
MODEX opened its doors at the Georgia World Congress Center for the first time in 2012 with 586 exhibitors. Just 4 years later MODEX 2016 featured over 800 exhibitors. That growth and excitement has continued as we kicked off MODEX 2018 sales on December 7, 2016 with a record 450+ exhibit spaces selected at our opening day Space Draw event. In addition, MODEX has already been named to the Trade Show News Network’s (TSNN) U.S. Top 250 Trade Shows list. Not a bad accomplishment for a show in its infancy.
MODEX 2018 is where supply chain solutions providers will come to find solutions to Futureproof their business. “Strategic proximity to major population and manufacturing sites, direct interstate access and the most ocean carrier routes in the U.S. Southeast are the competitive advantages drawing customers to our ports,” Mr. Lynch said. MODEX 2018 is strategically positioned in this fast growing region to allow manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professional’s unparalleled access to the largest equipment and technology display of its kind in North America. MODEX 2018 (www.MODEXShow.com) is the premier destination for industry professionals fueling the expansion of America’s warehousing and distribution channels. By exhibiting at MODEX 2018, you can meet the decision makers in search of the technologies and solutions needed to increase productivity in supply chain operations.
The show will take place April 9-12, 2018 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. Exhibiting at a show with an influential and exclusive audience like MODEX delivers a platform to generate a multipronged program to meet and target prospective buyers.
***
Please take a moment to visit the show website. MODEX 2018 is already 85% sold out so do not hesitate. There will not be a better opportunity in 2018 to reach the material handling and supply chain logistics market. If you have any questions about the MODEX 2018 or if you are interested in exhibiting at the show, we are happy to assist. You can reach the MHI sales department at 704-676-1190 or you can contact me directly at gbaer@mhi.org or via phone at (O) 704-714-8725 or (M) 704-737-1775.
