Like clockwork, MODEX seems to roll in at the same time as convertible drivers loosen up the straps to their roofs for the 1st time in a new year, even if the weather remains inconsistent on the East Coast. Maybe the good vibrations that nicer and longer days bring are part of it, but MODEX tends to be one of the most upbeat expos, with a highly optimistic audience, hailing from the supply chain industry on the calendar.
If you’ve been around it long enough, it’s hard to not get excited for 4 days of product, service, and personnel showcases across 405,000 square feet of the Georgia World Congress Center, not to mention the many extra-curricular activities that are put on by numerous organizations offsite during the week.
What’s MODEX?
Hosted by MHI in Atlanta, MODEX, one of the world’s largest supply chain and manufacturing expos in the world, boasts an overall headcount of over 37,000 and 850+ exhibitors, which takes place in even-numbered years. Its close sibling, also within the MHI family of events is PROMAT, which occurs in Chicago on odd-numbered years.
MODEX exhibitors are mostly comprised of equipment, systems, and solution providers for both the supply chain and manufacturing field. The show floor ranges from traditional offerings that may or may not evolve over time, to releases so new, that their public debuts coincide with the expo. It’s also much more than a supplier show; every hour, subject-matter experts take a handful of stages to speak to topics that impact the audience as a whole – whether attendees or exhibitors alike. MODEX also takes into account its sheer size and typical attendee profile, as seen through the multiple, dedicated areas MHI sets in place for remote work, relaxation, and even recreation.
Though you likely know ScanOnline (and parent company RMS Omega) for workforce-related data collection solutions, network infrastructure capabilities, and more, MODEX is an expo that is very multi-faceted and requires a lot of scouting to make the most of your time on the floor. Here’s some useful tips from someone who has attended the modern version of the event, since 2014:
Get comfortable – literally.
It starts with your choice of footwear. If you’re driving to the event, you’ll know right away how big the Georgia World Congress Center is, merely from the walk you’ll make from the parking lot to the 1st expo hall. And if you’re not – maybe due to rideshares, shuttle services, or public transportation – you’re still doing as much (if not more) walking from start to finish. At any rate, sneakers are not only acceptable among attendees and exhibitors, but for some a must, depending on their role/responsibility. Much of the GWCC is uncarpeted, which can add to physical strain, so know when to take breaks and listen to your body. It might not hurt to bring a few bandaids too, if your feet tend to suffer more than others from long travel days. Simply put, loose clothing is also the way to go, and Atlanta temperatures this time of year are generally tolerable for it anyhow.
Atlanta isn’t an easy city to traverse.
I might not even need to mention this, since its reputation proceeds it (and many reading this are well-traveled) but Atlanta is a tough place to get around in. Those staying in hotels more centrally located downtown have it a little better, but even visitors staying in areas less than 3 miles from the GWCC can suffer from soul-crippling road congestion. Make sure to do your research each day before leaving out for the show on current road conditions and give yourself enough time before any booth tours or on-site meetings to take into account “the unexpected”. If you have a dinner planned within an hour of the show’s daily closure (5:00pm), try to leave 30 minutes earlier to beat any rush out of the building and the pre-existing traffic that is unrelated to the event as well. Parking in many neighborhoods is never a guarantee and it is worth the extra effort to do a quick search on possible options before you arrive in that respect. Apps like ParkMobile and SpotHero are a good resource for pre-paid parking. Also, make a plan for airport transportation – many hotels offer shuttle service, but rideshare costs tend to run higher for MODEX-sponsored hotels, as on average they are a 20-minute drive from the airport (without heavy traffic).
Plan.
Mapping out each day is critical, and again, probably something that doesn’t need to be said. But, if you’re newer to mega-shows like MODEX, it’s really helpful to consolidate your booth visits around certain locations, and to have them occur around the same 1-3 hour window. Otherwise, you may find yourself later in the week scrambling to hit booths and business acquaintances that you earlier made a priority to see, plus fatigue could strike you much quicker. Finding a seminar to sit in on nearby could help conserve energy too.
If you’re going to need to attend to other work matters concurrently within show hours, bringing any equipment, like a laptop or tablet isn’t a bad idea; there are many work pods, high-top tables, and charging stations for exactly this purpose scattered across the floor and outside the venue. You can also check a bag and any clothing (jackets, etc. – see map below) at an on-site sponsored facility if you don’t want to carry it around for long. Though everyone attends Modex with different itineraries in place, the day doesn’t always end when the show floor closes for some attendees and exhibitors. Vendor happy hours, special events, team dinners, and more shouldn’t be overlooked as only a fun way to unwind; they can be taxing too. By day 3, you’ll know right away if your advanced scouting paid off, trust me. Use a cloud-based spreadsheet to coordinate visits or the MODEX app (which I’ll get to), while collaborating with others that might be attending, to help divide and conquer.
Shop til you drop.
MODEX is one of the few places where you’ll be able to directly compare supply chain-specific products and services pound-for-pound in person, with the brightest minds in the room. Of course, we would want you to spend as much time with us and the RMS Omega crew (booth A9520) in understanding how we can best support your workforce and its operations, but what’s more important is that you take the time to see how others might be able to do so as well. We’re confident in our technical resources, industry expertise, and product-savvy overall, but you’re the point-person for your organization for a reason. There’s already a belief across your management team that MODEX is a worthy investment of time and money; take advantage of the moment. We hope that in the end, you’ll review what you have seen and draw some conclusions that our organization has the solutions you’re looking for.
Side-quests are good too.
I’ve usually gone to MODEX with a few objectives in mind as an attendee, but in some years, organic conversations, unplanned booth visits, and off-the-cusp meetups have yielded the biggest results. For buyers, it’s clear what you’re there for – identifying potential partnerships that can help you yield better business and operational outcomes for specific challenges you are experiencing. It might also mean taking meetings with your current vendors too, that have been set up in advance. This may be all there is room for in your orbit, but there are a lot of continuing education-type seminars, hosted by research companies not associated with any B2B organization that could help calibrate your thought process. Plus, with demos going on non-stop at booths themselves, you could learn something that changes your entire sightline on what you’re there for in the 1st place.
If you’re in sales, customer and prospect engagements are likely high on your list, whether you’re walking the floor or exhibiting. Sponsored networking activities are many at MODEX both on and off-site, thus it’s worth keeping an eye out for some of these that may not have been on your radar to start the week. As a marketer myself, I share similar expectations for what a good week looks like as the average salesperson (positive customer and prospect interactions), but there is a lot of value in getting to know how partners, competitors, and others build out their overall branding and message. I take many notes on booth layouts, collateral, product placements, and even the media companies that sell their ad content and services to all who attend.
Oh, and the puppies – yes, see the puppies (pictured).
If you haven’t booked dinner reservations, you might be too late.
As the show has grown, so too have been the ways companies have taken advantage of the attendees and exhibitors in and around Atlanta as a springboard for setting up meetings related and unrelated to MODEX. For many folks, a week in Atlanta during MODEX can accomplish what a full month of team screensharing and traveling still couldn’t. It also brings together every level of worker across organization chains, from college interns and entry-level shop floor staff to VPs and entire C-suites. Restaurants, needless to say, close to GWCC will be filled, and popular eateries with a reputation both locally and nationally will reach capacity as well. If you’re looking to save a table for yourself and others, do it now, as many timeslots are no longer available across the city. With that said, keep an eye out on your reservation app of choice, as some openings could become available in the coming days, since some attendees may experience travel hiccups that end up causing revisions in their weekly plans.
What about lunch?
All expo halls have food courts with seating available, as well as vendor carts sprinkled around with different options. The menu ranges from local food truck choices with a local flair to familiar chain restaurants. If you want to stay close to the action without leaving GWCC, permanent food stands are within walking distance, as you head back towards the general parking lot area. There’s something for everyone, but be mindful in advance that you’ll likely find “big event” pricing. For those in a hurry, carrying cash will help them get in and out of long lines faster during peak lunch hours.
When all else fails, refer to the MODEX App
This last tip can’t be understated, especially as someone who neglected to use it until as late as 2022. The MODEX app can help organize schedules, locate booths, track down live event information, and even help with travel and accommodations. It’s been said many ways, but this is a HUGE event, and any help is good help when you feel you’re lost. Download the app ASAP; though Internet service at GWCC is generally decent, there have been some patchy moments where even accessing your cell data can be an issue.
Feel free to send us a note too, any time during the show, even if it’s to just help navigate the never-ending wave of activity. We would be happy to walk you through our vendor partner booths as well!