Automate 2013 Breaks All-time High Attendance Record in Chicago
February 18, 2013
Shows posting record attendance numbers seem to be more and more commonplace these days, with the latest one being the biennial Automate 2013, which was collocated with Material Handling Association’s ProMat 2013 and held Jan. 21-24 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Automate 2013 was attended by a record 10,975 attendees from across the United States and 55 countries.
“Automate 2013 exceeded all of our expectations,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation, the primary sponsor of Automate 2013.
He added, “All of our numbers were up sharply, including total exhibitors (17-plus percent), show attendees (62-plus percent) and conference participants (10-plus percent). Our post-show survey indicates that Automate is becoming the primary trade show in the field for many people, as about 50 percent of Automate attendees do not attend any other automation related trade shows.”
Automate is organized by the Association for Advancing Automation, the not-for-profit umbrella corporation of the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging and the Motion Control Association (MCA).
Exhibitors also were pleased with the busy showfloor.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with Automate 2013,” said Joseph Cyrek, vice president at Recognition Robotics, Inc.
He added, “The attendee traffic was fantastic. We generated many solid leads with potential users, some of whom were already asking for quotes to move forward with our technology. This has been a great show; everyone seemed really fired up about the industry. We will definitely come back for Automate 2015 with an even bigger presence.”
There also was a lot of press coverage at the show from mainstream media outlets, such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, with the coverage focused mainly on how using automation technologies displayed at the show can help save and create jobs.
Besides the showfloor, more than 75 industry experts from around the world gave presentations at the conference, including keynote speakers Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, and Henrik Christensen, director of Robotics at Georgia Institute of Technology.
“Many of the sessions were geared to small- and medium-sized companies who are new users or considering using robotics, vision, motion control, and other automation technologies,” Burnstein said.
He added, “One of the featured sessions highlighted small company executives who have successfully automated in order to become stronger global competitors. These executives provided real-world examples of companies who would have had to either go out of business or send manufacturing offshore but instead succeeded by automating.”
The next Automate Show and Conference will be held March 23-25, 2015, in Chicago.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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