warehouse insider
If you are trying to figure out how the two big tradeshows, MODEX and ProMat, relate to each other and which one to attend, you are not alone; it is one of the most common points of confusion in the industry. This guide breaks down how the two compare, why there is only ever one of them in a given year, and what MODEX 2026 signaled for ProMat 2027.
Both shows are produced by MHI (Material Handling Industry) and draw a similar scale of attendees (50,000+) and exhibitors (1,000+). But they run in different cities on alternating years: MODEX is held in Atlanta in even years, and ProMat is held in Chicago in odd years.
The two did start from slightly different places. ProMat, the older and historically larger of the two, leaned toward traditional material handling, while MODEX built its identity around the broader, more technology-forward supply chain. That distinction has largely faded; as warehousing has moved toward integrated, automated, and AI-driven systems, the exhibitors and content at both shows have converged, and the practical difference now comes down mainly to the year and the city. That’s why you will not see a ProMat 2026 or a MODEX 2027: in any given year, only one of the two runs.
Here is a quick glance at the details for both shows:
| MODEX 2026 | ProMat 2027 | |
| Dates | April 13-16, 2026 | April 19-21, 2027 |
| City | Atlanta, Georgia | Chicago, Illinois |
| Venue | Georgia World Congress Center | McCormick Place |
| Next Edition | MODEX 2028 (Atlanta) | ProMat 2029 (Chicago) |
For a full breakdown of dates, venue, and floor plan for the upcoming Chicago show, see ProMat 2027: Dates, Location, Floor Plan and Everything You Need to Know.
MODEX 2026 ran in April at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, drawing the same scale of supply chain professionals and exhibitors the show is known for, across material handling, automation, robotics, and logistics technology.
The clear direction on the floor was toward automation that does not just report on the warehouse but acts on it: computer-vision systems, autonomous mobile robots, and AI-driven inventory platforms were among the most-visited categories. The broader industry conversation around agentic AI, software that takes action rather than only surfacing insights, was visible here too, but the more grounded signal for warehouse operators was how much of the floor centered on automating the manual, error-prone work of tracking and verifying inventory. That is the shift Vimaan sits in.
Vimaan exhibited at Booth A4109 with Beyond Machine Vision, a live demonstration of how AI-powered computer vision automates inventory visibility for large warehouses and distribution centers, showing StorTRACK for automated cycle counting and PalletSCAN 360 for automated pallet receiving and shipping. The response was strong across demos and live sessions, with more than 200 companies expressing interest in further conversations. In case you missed it, you can watch this video.
The categories that drew the most attention in Atlanta, computer vision, inventory automation, and autonomous systems, are the same ones expected to define ProMat 2027 in Chicago. For operators evaluating where to invest, that continuity is the useful takeaway: the technologies gaining ground at MODEX are the ones to look for, and compare, on the ProMat floor. For a closer look at the AI, computer vision, and inventory intelligence categories to watch in Chicago, see ProMat 2027: What to See in AI, Computer Vision & Inventory Intelligence.
Vimaan will be at Booth N9126 in the North Hall at ProMat 2027, in the Emerging Supply Chain Technology zone. This is next to the AI Theater, one of the highest-traffic areas on the show floor. Stop by for a live demonstration of how AI-powered computer vision automates inventory visibility across receiving, shipping, and cycle counting for large warehouses and distribution centers.
If you work in supply chain, warehousing, fulfillment, or logistics technology, the simplest answer is to attend whichever show is running that year, since only one of the two takes place annually. Going to both across the two-year cycle gives you the fullest view of how the industry is evolving, but if you are planning your next trip, ProMat 2027 in Chicago is the next event on the calendar. Registration is free for qualified professionals at promatshow.com.
Q. Is MODEX the same as ProMat?
Both are organized by MHI and draw a similar scale of attendees and exhibitors, but they are not the same show. MODEX takes place in Atlanta in even years, and ProMat takes place in Chicago in odd years.
Q. Is there a MODEX 2027?
There is no MODEX 2027. MODEX and ProMat alternate each year, so the next show after MODEX 2026 is ProMat 2027 in Chicago. MODEX returns in 2028.
Q. Is there a ProMat 2026?
There is no ProMat 2026. ProMat runs in odd years, so MODEX 2026 in Atlanta took its place in the cycle. The next ProMat is scheduled for 2027 in Chicago.
Q. What were the major themes at MODEX 2026?
The floor was dominated by automation that acts on the warehouse rather than just reporting on it: computer vision, AI-driven inventory platforms, and autonomous mobile systems were among the most-visited categories. The broader industry conversation around agentic AI was visible too, but the most grounded signal for warehouse operators was how much of the floor centered on automating the manual, error-prone work of tracking and verifying inventory.
Q. Where can I find Vimaan at ProMat 2027?
Vimaan will be at Booth N9126 in the North Hall at ProMat 2027, in the Emerging Supply Chain Technology zone. It’s next to the AI Theater, one of the highest-traffic areas on the floor. Visit our website closer to the show to schedule a live demo with our experts on the floor.