In short
ProMat brings warehouse and supply chain buyers to see automation at work. A booth has to show goods actually moving: a live conveyor, robot or pick station, with throughput numbers next to it. Visitors want to know how it fits their building, so integration and floor space matter too. Start a custom booth about 9–12 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Chicago, every two years in Chicago, in odd years. MODEX runs in Atlanta in even years.
- The audience is mostly warehouse and distribution managers.
- Live moving equipment.
- Throughput and footprint figures.
- Plan a custom booth about 9–12 months before the show.
ProMat for exhibitors
Visitors come with projects in mind and compare vendors within a single trip. Live equipment is expected, and software companies benefit from connecting their dashboards to something physical.
| ProMat | |
|---|---|
| City | Chicago |
| Venue | McCormick Place |
| Sector | Supply chain and material handling |
| Cycle | Every two years in Chicago, in odd years. MODEX runs in Atlanta in even years |
| Main stand activity | Working machinery |
| Custom stand lead time | 9–12 months |
Who you are designing for
Warehouse and distribution managers, operations directors, integrators and supply chain leaders, mainly from North America.
What matters most on a ProMat booth:
- Live moving equipment.
- Throughput and footprint figures.
- Integrators available to discuss real sites.
- Software connected to a physical demo.
Layouts for working machinery, by stand type
Most ProMat exhibitors build around working machinery. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | One machine side-on to the aisle so its working side is visible, with a screen showing it in use. |
| Island | 4 | A hero machine centred with at least 1.5 m of walk-around space, demo times on a screen and meetings to one side or upstairs. |
Stand ideas for ProMat
- A working pick station that visitors can try.
- A live data dashboard fed by the demo.
- A floor-plan table where people lay out their own warehouse.
Planning, approvals and logistics
McCormick Place has its own labor and handling rules, so read the service kit carefully, and budget for rigging and electrical services. See US booth costs.
Allow about 9–12 months for a custom booth. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at ProMat
Rigging, electrical and installation labor take a large share in Chicago. Get a service-kit estimate before you approve the design, not after.
Mistakes we see at ProMat
- Static equipment in a show about movement.
- Underestimating Chicago labor costs for a complex install.
An example ProMat brief
A 20×30 ft island with a working pick station, a dashboard fed by live data, a floor-plan table and an integrator meeting area.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your ProMat layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about working machinery into an editable 3D booth for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01What is the difference between ProMat and MODEX?
Both are MHI supply chain shows. ProMat runs in Chicago in odd years, and MODEX in Atlanta in even years.
02Do I need a live demo at ProMat?
It helps a lot. Moving equipment is the reason many visitors come.
03How early should I start designing a ProMat booth?
For a custom booth, about 9–12 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme booths can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my ProMat booth at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, working machinery area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
