Charting the Future: Your Definitive Guide to MODEX in Atlanta, USA

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, global shifts, and ever-increasing consumer demands, the supply chain and logistics industry stands as the unsung hero, the indispensable force that keeps the world moving. From the intricate dance of robotics in massive fulfillment centers to the sophisticated software optimizing complex global networks, every aspect of material flow, storage, and delivery is under constant evolution. For professionals responsible for these vital operations – whether in manufacturing, distribution, retail, or e-commerce – understanding and adopting the latest innovations is not just a competitive edge; it’s a fundamental requirement for survival and growth. This is precisely why MODEX in Atlanta, USA, stands as North America’s premier international trade show and educational conference for manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics solutions, a dynamic powerhouse of innovation and an unparalleled hub for critical industry connections.

MODEX is much more than just an exhibition; it’s a biennial event produced by MHI, the leading trade association for the material handling, logistics, and supply chain industry. This direct industry ownership ensures that MODEX’s content, exhibitors, and educational programs are meticulously curated to address the most pressing needs and emerging opportunities faced by professionals across the entire supply chain. MODEX brings together solution providers from every facet of the industry: equipment manufacturers, system integrators, software developers, automation specialists, consultants, and thought leaders from across the globe. It’s the ultimate platform to witness live demonstrations of cutting-edge machinery, explore integrated supply chain solutions, discover the latest advancements in robotics, automation, AI, and sustainable practices, and network with peers and experts who are actively shaping the future of global commerce. Whether you’re a manufacturing executive seeking to enhance your production efficiency, a warehouse manager looking to implement smart technologies, a logistics professional aiming for greater resilience, or an entrepreneur exploring new supply chain ventures, MODEX provides direct access to the insights and innovations that drive efficiency, agility, and competitive advantage in today’s complex world. It’s truly “Where the Manufacturing and Supply Chain World Comes Together.”

The Logistics Hub of the Southeast: The Venue and Its Time

Atlanta, Georgia, holds a distinguished position as a major transportation, logistics, and business hub in the Southeastern United States. Its strategic location offers superb accessibility for attendees from across the United States, particularly the thriving Southeast region, as well as Canada, Latin America, and international markets. Atlanta boasts Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the world’s busiest and most efficient airports, simplifying travel for global attendees. The city’s robust infrastructure, extensive hotel options, and vibrant cultural scene further enhance the attendee experience, providing ample opportunities for both productive business and enjoyable leisure.

The expo is consistently held at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA. The GWCC is one of the largest convention centers in the United States, offering expansive exhibition halls and modern facilities. For MODEX, the vastness of the GWCC is crucial to accommodate the sheer scale of the exhibits, which often include large, operational machinery, live robotics demonstrations, and fully integrated supply chain systems. Its prime location in downtown Atlanta is incredibly convenient, within walking distance of many hotels, restaurants, and attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola. The GWCC is also well-connected by public transportation (MARTA) and offers various dining options on-site, providing ease for attendees throughout the show. Its direct access to transportation and dedicated facilities make it an efficient and impressive venue for such a massive and influential industry event.

MODEX operates on a biennial schedule, meaning it takes place every two years, alternating with MHI’s ProMat show in Chicago. The most recent MODEX was held in March 2024. Therefore, the next highly anticipated edition, MODEX 2026, is scheduled for April 13–16, 2026.

The event spans four intensive days for both the expansive exhibition and the extensive educational conference programs, meticulously structured for maximum impact and engagement:

• Monday, April 13, 2026: The exhibition hall typically opens in the morning (e.g., 10:00 AM) and runs through the late afternoon (e.g., 5:00 PM). This day marks the grand opening, often with significant new product announcements and dynamic live demonstrations. The extensive educational seminar schedule also commences across various show floor theaters.
• Tuesday, April 14, 2026: A full day of expo access, typically from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is often one of the busiest days, with continuous live demonstrations, a full schedule of educational sessions, and potentially special networking forums like the Women in Supply Chain Forum.
• Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Another full day, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Attendees continue to explore booths, engage with suppliers, and participate in a wide array of educational sessions. The highly anticipated MHI Industry Night, often featuring a well-known entertainer, is typically held in the evening, providing valuable networking opportunities with entertainment.
• Thursday, April 16, 2026: The final day of the exhibition, usually running from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This provides a focused window for attendees to make final connections, revisit crucial booths, consolidate their learnings, and plan future investments before departure.

This intensive four-day format ensures that attendees can comprehensively explore a vast range of solutions, engage directly with suppliers, and maximize their learning and networking opportunities, all within a focused timeframe.

The Innovation Superhighway: Key Product and Solution Categories

The exhibition floor at MODEX is a massive, dynamic, and often awe-inspiring display of the entire manufacturing, material handling, logistics, and supply chain ecosystem. Attendees can expect to explore an unparalleled array of products and solutions from over 1,000 exhibitors, showcasing the cutting edge of the industry:

• Automation & Robotics:
  • Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): For flexible material transport, picking assistance, and mobile manipulation in warehouses and factories.
  • Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): For structured, heavy-duty transport.
  • Industrial & Collaborative Robots (Cobots): For palletizing, de-palletizing, picking, packing, assembly, and other repetitive tasks.
  • Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): Including mini-load, unit-load, carousel, vertical lift modules (VLMs), and robotic AS/RS for high-density storage and rapid retrieval.
  • Automated Sortation Systems: For high-speed parcel and item sorting in distribution centers.
• Material Handling Equipment:
  • Conveyors & Sortation: Various types of conveyor systems (belt, roller, gravity, powered) and high-speed sortation equipment for efficient material flow.
  • Lift Trucks & Forklifts: Electric, propane, diesel, and hydrogen fuel cell forklifts; specialized lift equipment like reach trucks, order pickers, and pallet jacks.
  • Cranes, Hoists & Ergonomic Lifting: Overhead cranes, jib cranes, hoists, manipulators, and vacuum lifting devices for safe and efficient heavy lifting.
  • Pallets, Racks & Storage Solutions: Diverse types of pallets (wood, plastic, metal); various racking systems (selective, drive-in, push-back, pallet flow, cantilever, mobile racking); mezzanines, shelving, and bins for optimized storage density.
• Supply Chain Software & Technology:
  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): For optimizing inventory, order fulfillment, and labor management within the warehouse.
  • Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) & Warehouse Control Systems (WCS): For real-time orchestration and control of automation and equipment.
  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): For optimizing shipping routes, carrier selection, freight management, and last-mile delivery.
  • Inventory Management & Planning Software: For accurate tracking, forecasting, and demand planning.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML): For predictive analytics, demand forecasting, optimization, and advanced decision support.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) & Sensors: For real-time asset tracking, condition monitoring, preventive maintenance, and data collection from equipment.
  • Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR): For training, remote maintenance, picking guidance, and simulation.
  • Blockchain Technology: For enhanced supply chain transparency and traceability.
• Fulfillment & E-commerce Solutions:
  • Automated packaging machinery (case erectors, sealers, wrappers, form-fill-seal).
  • Order fulfillment technologies (pick-to-light, voice picking, put walls, goods-to-person systems).
  • Shipping and labeling systems, manifesting software.
  • Returns management and reverse logistics solutions.
• Workforce & Labor Management:
  • Labor management systems (LMS) for optimizing productivity and workforce scheduling.
  • Safety equipment, ergonomic solutions, and training programs.
• Consulting & Integration Services:
  • Supply chain consulting, system design, and implementation services.
  • Automation integration expertise.
  • Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) services.
• Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chain Solutions:
  • Energy-efficient equipment, renewable energy solutions for facilities.
  • Sustainable packaging materials, waste reduction, and recycling technologies.
  • Solutions for building supply chain resilience and mitigating risks.

This incredibly diverse and comprehensive range ensures that attendees, whether seeking a specific component, a complete integrated system, or strategic consulting, can find tailored solutions to enhance their operations, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and build a more resilient, agile, and sustainable supply chain. The sheer scale of live demonstrations is a hallmark of MODEX, allowing professionals to see these advanced solutions in action.

The Pulse of Progress: Visitor Count and Demographics

MODEX is widely considered the premier event for the North American manufacturing, material handling, logistics, and supply chain industries, consistently attracting a massive and highly influential audience from across the globe. As a biennial event, it builds anticipation, ensuring that each edition is packed with groundbreaking innovations and draws a significant number of serious buyers and decision-makers. The most recent MODEX in March 2024 set a new attendance record, welcoming an astounding 48,733 registered manufacturing and supply chain professionals. This was a remarkable 32% increase in registered visitors compared to MODEX 2022, showcasing the industry’s strong vitality and enthusiasm for in-person events. Attendees came from over 110 countries, engaging with over 1,200 exhibitors across a staggering 580,000 net square feet of exhibit space. This unparalleled scale underscores its critical role as the definitive industry gathering. For the upcoming MODEX 2026, another record-breaking turnout is highly anticipated, reflecting the continuous growth and strategic importance of optimizing global supply chains.

The attendee profile at MODEX is exceptionally high-level, technical, and diverse, representing key decision-makers and influencers from a vast array of roles and industries:

• Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals: VPs of Supply Chain, Logistics Directors, Supply Chain Managers, Distribution Center Managers, Warehouse Operations Managers, and Fleet Managers.
• Manufacturing & Production Professionals: Plant Managers, Operations Managers, Production Supervisors, and Manufacturing Engineers.
• Engineering & IT: Industrial Engineers, Systems Engineers, Automation Engineers, Robotics Engineers, IT Directors, and Software Architects focused on supply chain technologies.
• Corporate Leadership: CEOs, COOs, CFOs, Presidents, and other C-suite executives making strategic investment decisions for their global operations.
• Purchasing & Procurement Managers: Buyers and sourcing specialists responsible for acquiring equipment, software, and services.
• Researchers & Academics: Those involved in advancing supply chain science and education.
• Consultants & Integrators: Professionals who design, implement, and optimize complex supply chain systems for clients.
• Key Industries Represented:
  • Manufacturing (Automotive, Aerospace, Electronics, Industrial Equipment)
  • Retail & E-commerce
  • Food & Beverage
  • Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
  • Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
  • Wholesale Trade & Distribution
  • Third-Party Logistics (3PLs)

A substantial majority of attendees (MHI reports over 80%) have direct purchasing power or influence within their organizations, making MODEX an incredibly efficient environment for serious buyers and sellers to connect, demonstrate solutions, and advance business objectives. The sheer volume of attendees and exhibitors ensures a dynamic and productive environment for all participants.

The Advantage Amplifier: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending MODEX in Atlanta offers an unparalleled array of strategic advantages and exclusive perks for any professional looking to optimize their manufacturing, material handling, logistics, and supply chain operations:

• Witness Live, Working Technology on a Grand Scale: This is the ultimate differentiator of MODEX. You’ll see massive, fully operational machinery and integrated systems in action – automated storage and retrieval systems humming, robots picking and packing, AGVs and AMRs navigating dynamic environments. This direct, real-world demonstration is invaluable for understanding capabilities, assessing ROI, and envisioning solutions for your own operations.
• Comprehensive Sourcing & Solution Discovery: With over 1,200 leading exhibitors, MODEX is a one-stop-shop for any supply chain challenge. You can efficiently compare products and services from hundreds of vendors side-by-side, get immediate answers to your specific questions, and accelerate your decision-making process for significant investments in equipment, software, and services.
• Discover Game-Changing Innovations & Trends: MODEX is a global launchpad for the latest technologies and emerging industry trends. You’ll be among the first to see advancements in AI, robotics, sustainable solutions, digital twin technology, IoT, and more, gaining crucial insights into the forces shaping the future of global supply chains.
• World-Class Educational Program (Absolutely Free!): Benefit from over 200 free educational seminars held directly on the show floor. These expert-led sessions cover a vast array of critical topics, including automation strategies, labor management, supply chain resilience, e-commerce fulfillment, last-mile logistics, data analytics, and sustainability. Four compelling keynote addresses by industry visionaries and thought leaders are also included at no extra cost, providing high-level strategic insights.
• Unrivaled Networking Opportunities: Connect with tens of thousands of highly influential peers, potential clients, suppliers, and industry leaders from diverse sectors and countries. MODEX offers numerous formal and informal networking events, including the popular MHI Industry Night (a ticketed evening event with entertainment, food, and drinks) and dedicated networking areas, fostering invaluable connections and collaborations.
• Targeted Industry Insights: Gain a deep understanding of how specific technologies and strategies apply to your industry, whether it’s discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, or 3PLs. Exhibitors and sessions often highlight solutions tailored to specific vertical markets.
• Professional Development & Strategic Planning: Deepen your technical knowledge, gain foresight into global supply chain trends, and discover emerging technologies that can give your business a significant competitive edge. MODEX is a powerful tool for professional growth, informing strategic investment decisions, and future-proofing your operations.
• Focus on Measurable ROI: Discussions at MODEX are heavily centered on how solutions can deliver tangible return on investment – through increased efficiency, reduced labor costs, improved accuracy, enhanced safety, and greater supply chain resilience and sustainability.

Your Atlanta Anchor: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Stay

Atlanta, with the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) as its central convention hub, offers an extensive selection of comfortable and convenient hotel options, particularly in downtown Atlanta and adjacent areas. Many hotels are within easy walking distance of the GWCC, or offer convenient access via MARTA (Atlanta’s public transportation system) or short taxi/rideshare services, ensuring a seamless experience for MODEX attendees. Given the scale and international draw of MODEX, booking your accommodations well in advance is highly recommended to secure the best rates and your preferred location.

The official MODEX website, typically managed by MHI, often partners with a housing bureau to offer discounted rates at a range of vetted hotels. Utilizing these official channels can provide significant savings and help you avoid potential third-party booking scams.

Some highly convenient and popular hotel options near the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta include:

• Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center: Directly connected to the GWCC via a sky bridge, offering unparalleled convenience, multiple dining options, and a wide range of amenities. This is often the most sought-after option for attendees.
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park: Located just steps from the GWCC and Centennial Olympic Park, offering spacious suites, complimentary breakfast, and evening receptions.
• Hyatt Regency Atlanta: A landmark hotel in downtown Atlanta, offering excellent amenities and easy MARTA access to the GWCC.
• Atlanta Marriott Marquis: Another iconic downtown hotel with extensive facilities and good access to the convention center via MARTA or a short walk.
• Hilton Atlanta: A popular downtown option known for its dining and amenities, easily accessible from the GWCC.
• The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown, a DoubleTree by Hilton: A historic downtown hotel offering comfortable accommodations and good access.
• Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection: A boutique hotel option in downtown Atlanta, offering unique style and proximity.
• Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta: A distinctive skyscraper hotel with panoramic views, offering good access to the GWCC via MARTA or a short walk.

These hotels generally provide a wide range of amenities, including diverse dining options, fitness centers, pools, and business services, ensuring a comfortable and productive stay. Beyond the expo, attendees can easily explore Atlanta’s vibrant downtown, including Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and numerous dining and entertainment venues, making for a truly engaging visit to the “Capital of the New South.”

The Investment in Progress: Understanding the Cost to Attend

MODEX offers an incredibly accessible pricing structure, particularly for those who register early, designed to encourage broad industry participation and knowledge sharing.

• Exhibit Hall Pass: This pass provides free access to the expansive exhibition floor for all four days, allowing you to explore over 1,200 exhibitors, witness live machinery demonstrations, and attend all the free educational seminars held on various show floor stages. It also includes access to the keynote addresses. For MODEX 2026, the “Expo Only” pass is typically free if registered in advance (before a certain deadline, usually a few weeks before the show). On-site registration will incur a fee, often around $50 – $75 USD. This exceptional value makes MODEX highly attractive and widely attended.
• MHI Industry Night Ticket: While the exhibition and most educational content are free, the MHI Industry Night, a premier networking event with entertainment, food, and drinks, typically requires a separate ticket. For previous MODEX events, tickets were $50 per person. Specific pricing for MODEX 2026 will be confirmed closer to the event date.
• Official Housing Discounts: While not a direct show cost, utilizing the official hotel blocks often provides discounted hotel rates, contributing to overall cost savings on your trip.

The strategic decision by MHI to keep the main exhibition and comprehensive educational content free, especially with early registration, makes MODEX an incredibly high-value proposition. It removes a significant financial barrier, allowing professionals from companies of all sizes to attend, explore the latest technologies, and make vital connections, ensuring a strong return on investment for all participants.

Innovate Your Operations: Secure Your Place at MODEX!

MODEX in Atlanta is far more than just a trade show; it’s the dynamic engine propelling the entire manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics industry forward. It’s where autonomous robots navigate busy aisles, where sophisticated software orchestrates global networks, where sustainable practices are integrated, and where the invaluable connections that fuel business growth are forged. If you’re a supply chain executive striving for resilience, an operations manager implementing automation, a logistics professional seeking greater efficiency, or a business leader looking to stay at the absolute forefront of global commerce, then securing your place at MODEX is not just an option—it’s an essential strategic move for your knowledge, your network, and your business’s future. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to connect with the pioneers, learn from the experts, and contribute to shaping the future of supply chains!

To learn more and register for the upcoming MODEX 2026, visit: www.modexshow.com