With ProMat 2025 about two months away, new data on registering attendees indicates that they are looking towards automation, robotics, and AI to move their supply chains into the future. ProMat 2025 will be the largest display of what’s new and what’s next when it comes to supply chain trends, equipment and technology. As the largest supply chain event of the year, it’s the equivalent of a four-day accelerator program for supply chain innovation.

The ProMat theme of “where supply chain pros come together to find solutions” is ringing true with a large number of the Fortune 1000 and top 100 retailers and consumer goods firms registering to attend as teams to connect, learn and source solutions for their operational challenges.

When attendees register for ProMat, they are asked to answer several demographic questions about their industry, product interest, buying authority, and spending plans. Below are some highlights from current ProMat 2025 attendee demographics.

• 88% have buying power
• 80% are coming to see new products and innovations
• 69% are coming to network and learn
• 38% plan on spending over $1 million over the next 18 months
• 50% are corporate or senior management
• 34% are middle management or IT/Engineering
• 68% are looking for solutions for distribution centers or warehouses supporting manufacturing
• 25% are looking for solutions for manufacturing facilities

When it comes to product interest, ProMat 2025 attendees are looking for a broad range of equipment and technologies. However, there is a heightened interest in AI, automation, robotics, and autonomous vehicles as firms are looking to build resiliency and visibility into their operations. Looking at the current product interest from ProMat attendee registrations, we see several key themes emerging for this event:

The Power of Data and AI for Supply Chains

Attendees are demonstrating an increased interest in using data and artificial intelligence AI to optimize order picking routes, demand forecasting, and to identify bottlenecks. Machine learning algorithms can improve operational efficiency by continuously learning from data patterns. Leveraging this data with AI drives faster decision-making and more accurate operations by providing real-time information and actionable intelligence on operations. These important trends are of keen interest for attendees and will be big news on the ProMat show floor and are also the focus of the event’s March 17 and March 18 keynotes.

Utilizing Automation for Connected, Scalable Warehouse and DC Operations

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), Autonomous Forklifts, Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) are now seen as interconnected solutions for facilities. Attendees are interested to see how these solutions can work together to build smarter, scalable, and more agile warehouse and DC operations.

Collaborative and Humanoid Robots

Humanoid and collaborative robots (Cobots) are of keen interest due to their enhanced precision and adaptability. The ability of these solutions to collaborate safely and efficiently with human workers as they provide real-time operational data has the attention of ProMat attendees.

Wearable Technology

From smart glasses to headsets and advanced gloves and wrist wearables, these solutions are enhancing worker efficiency and safety. Wearables streamline warehouse workflows by removing manual steps from day-to-day processes. They also improve worker satisfaction by empowering workers with real-time information and feedback. Wearables also work to reduce worker strain as they monitor physical activity, location, and health.

In addition to ProMat’s 1,200 exhibits, the event includes a conference with four keynotes and over 200 educational sessions. T

ProMat 2025 is scheduled to be held March 17-20 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the materials handling and logistics industry.