If you don’t know who Jim Gaffigan is, he’s a stand-up comic (with specials on Netflix). As an introduction, Gaffigan is a Grammy nominated, two-time New York Times best-selling author, top touring performer, and multi-platinum-selling father of five. He is known for his unique brand of humor which largely revolves around fatherhood and his observations on people, life and food - one of his more famous bits is the one on Hot Pockets.

Supply chains encompass a broad range of activities and technologies, from manufacturing and warehousing to distribution and logistics. The world's leading suppliers of supply chain-related equipment, systems, and services will showcase their solutions April 9–12, 2018, when Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center hosts the fourth biennial MODEX Show, one of the largest expositions for supply chain solutions in the Americas.

Beyond developing a business case for digital supply chain investments and growing cybersecurity concerns, the lack of adequate talent to effectively implement these technologies looms large as the biggest risk to business growth. According to the soon-to-be released 2018 MHI Annual Industry Report, 64 percent of the manufacturing and supply chain professionals surveyed said hiring and retaining a skilled workforce is the biggest obstacle impacting their supply chains.

Attendees can choose from a variety of educational sessions covering the latest manufacturing and supply chain trends, technologies, and innovations. This year's education conference will include five keynotes and over 100 supplier-led seminars covering a broad array of material handling and logistics topics.

The 111 submissions for the 2018 MHI Innovation Awards came exclusively from MODEX exhibitors. See these innovations in operation on the MODEX show floor and learn the value and impact they can have on your manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Think you know everything there is to know about how material handling makes supply chains work? Not so, according to the experts presenting more than 130 on-floor educational sessions.

MODEX 2018 attendees are registering in record numbers for the event to be held April 9-12 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. Here are some highlights from current MODEX attendee demographics.

At MODEX, you'll make new contacts, discover leading-edge solutions and learn the latest trends that are sure to give you a leg up on the competition. View the video to see for yourself how MODEX can help you transform your manufacturing and supply chain operations.

The April 10 keynote at MODEX 2018 will feature Andrew McAfee, who will speak on Harnessing Our Digital Future. McAfee is the co-founder and co-director of the Initiative on the Digital Economy at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He studies how computer technologies are changing business, the economy and society. Learn how digital technologies such as robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles will impact business moving forward.

Juan Perez, chief information and engineering officer for UPS, will speak Monday morning April 9 on how UPS embraces innovation to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges today. He will discuss how UPS is involved in, responding to, and preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution enabled by the industrial Internet of Things, ongoing evolution of mobility and smart cities.

Mike Rowe is a TV host, writer, narrator, producer, actor and spokesman probably best known for his role on Dirty Jobs, a hit TV show on the Discovery Channel. Mike has traveled to all 50 states and completed 300 different jobs, transforming cable television into a landscape of swamps, sewers, ice roads, coal mines, oil derricks, crab boats, hillbillies and lumberjack camps. He also discovered his passion for skilled trades. Learn more about this MODEX 2018 keynote speaker.

In addition to keynotes and conference sessions, MODEX is also offering Atlanta area facility tours, where you’ll be able to tour leading manufacturing and distribution centers in the Atlanta area.

During a keynote on April 11, George W. Prest, CEO of MHI, and Scott Sopher, Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Supply Chain practice, will share insights from the 2018 MHI Annual Industry Report. This is your opportunity to be the first to have access to this new report on the supply chain trends and technologies that are transforming supply chains. Scott Sopher will join George W. Prest in presenting the findings and moderating a panel of manufacturing and supply chain leaders on the real-world significance of the report findings.

Smart city logistics and connected supply chains. They are coming. But it will require some reworking of logistical practices. Because we can see it coming, we’re trying to help get you ready. Which is why we have created a Smart City Logistics and Connected Supply Chain Solution Center, complete with its own theaters. From IoT to last mile to AI, from autonomous robots to augmented reality to connected freight, we’ve got it covered.

The Georgia Logistics Summit is sponsoring two days of engaging content at the Transportation and Logistics Solutions Theaters at MODEX 2018. Learn from over 50 presenters including prominent shippers and logistics leaders like Delta, Tory Burch, Tractor Supply Company and Mercedes-Benz USA.

The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) will host an overhead crane safety conference at MODEX 2018. The conference will offer a day of world-class content on overhead crane safety technology and practices, while boasting seven professional development hour (PDH) credits. The conference will be held on Wednesday April 11 and is targeted at plant operations and maintenance staff, including managers, engineers and crane technicians.

Download the MODEX 2018 mobile app on your Apple iPhone®, iPod iPad®, or Android® smartphone. Quickly view exhibitor information, a schedule of events, conference sessions and speaker information, and a map of the show floor.

Get the answers to some frequently asked questions about MODEX 2018.

See where everything will be located at the Georgia World Congress Center for MODEX 2018 and the Georgia Logistics Summit, scheduled to be held April 9-12, 2018.

MHI has partnered with onPeak to select official hotels for your stay in Atlanta. By booking in the official housing block you receive the lowest rates available over the show dates.

On Monday, April 9 at MODEX 2018, MHI and MHEDA are hosting a Women in the Supply Chain Industry Forum. The keynote speaker is Brenda Wensil, known for her expertise in building collaborative partnerships, developing teams and leveraging cross organizational structures to improve leader performance and drive results.

Atlanta exemplifies Southern hospitality, with individuals from all walks of life adding to this multicultural haven's charm and personality. Learn some fun and interesting things you can do after MODEX closes each day.

At the MHI Young Professionals Networking Event you’ll have the chance to meet and mingle with other professionals in your field. Don’t miss this chance to build lasting connections.

For Industry Night at MODEX 2018, we have a door prize, and we’re bringing back the trip of a lifetime giveaway! You can go anywhere you want! (Up to $30,000 ... which, let’s be real, you gonna get far.) So not only will you get to see Jim Gaffigan, but you’ll get a chance at winning a free trip.

This year at MODEX 2018, 900 exhibitors from industry, commerce and government will display their supply chain solutions and innovations on the 280,000-square-foot show floor. To help you get to know the MODEX exhibitors, we’ve given them one minute to connect with you! These one minute to connect videos range from serious to comical, each with their own personality and strategy to get you to visit their booth. The video with the most votes wins!

Here are three and a half easy ways to be social before, during and after the show.

This year at MODEX we’re introducing the MODEX Backyard, and, y’all, it’s going to be so cool! Basically, the concept is to bring some of the outside inside. It’s gonna be a backyard! It will be populated with entertainment like games, giveaways, music and more. There will also be real fake grass and food trucks! Outside inside all day long.