The ProMat 2011 conference and trade show, which takes place March 21-24, 2011, at McCormick Place South in Chicago, is designed to help officials from government and industry find logistics and supply chain solutions. Sponsored by the Charlotte, N.C.-based Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), ProMat 2011 will include 700 exhibits from global material handling and logistics providers. In addition to the exhibits, more than 80 educational seminars, and two half-day tracks on supply chain sustainability and workforce talent development are scheduled.

At ProMat 2011, industry experts and top providers of products and services will offer help and guidance on:

• Streamlining operations and improving visibility
• Maximizing efficiency and flexibility
• Cutting costs
• Speeding time to market
• Maximizing supply chain security
• Reducing an agency or department's carbon footprint
• Recruiting and retaining the next generation of workers

ProMat 2011 offers many networking opportunities for government and industry peers from across the United States and from more than 100 countries. Show participants are key players from a broad spectrum of industries, as well as local, state and federal government agencies.

ProMat 2011 offers several sessions that will appeal to local, state and federal government leaders. "ProMat's two keynotes will tackle two important issues facing government professionals: security and innovation," says John Nofsinger, MHIA chief executive officer. "The March 21 keynote will feature former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge discussing supply chain security, and the March 22 keynote will feature the robotic innovation of Robonaut 2, which can be used to complete repetitive and dangerous tasks."

The March 21 keynote session with Tom Ridge, the nation's first secretary of homeland security, will cover the inextricable link between security and prosperity in a progressively interdependent world. During his keynote, Secretary Ridge will share his views of today's risk-centric environment and how to minimize those risks in favor of greater resiliency and security across an agency or department's global supply chain. He will discuss the enormous challenges, including terrorism, natural disasters, vendor issues, and geopolitical influences that global supply chains face in 2011. Related topics, such as supply chain security, cross-border collaborations and security investment also will be discussed.

On Wednesday, March 23, ProMat 2011 presents "Sustainability, the Supply Chain and Their Future Together." In this afternoon session, a range of speakers will detail what it takes to get started, what is working today and what a sustainable supply chain might look like in a couple of decades. "The track on sustainability should be of special interest to government administrators and managers given government sustainability initiatives such as the GreenGov Supply Chain Partnership," Nofsinger says.

Visit the ProMat Show site to find complimentary registration, detailed exhibitor information, educational session details, show news and a customized My ProMat Show Planner, or call 800-446-2622 or 704-676-1186.

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