The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and the Automation Technologies Council (ATC) announce that ProMat and The International Robots, Vision Motion Control Show will co-locate in 2011. Both exhibitions will be held March 21-24, 2011 at Chicago’s McCormick Place and 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.

“The decision to co-locate ProMat 2011 and the International Robots, Vision Motion Control Show was made for several reasons,” according to John Nofsinger, Chief Executive Officer for MHIA. “Co-locating 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 co-location 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 co-location 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 worlds leading robotics technical conference.

The co-location 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. “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 co-location of the International Robots, Vision Motion Control Show is a natural value-adding fit for both events,” said Nofsinger.