Where the Future of Supply Chain Comes to Life

In an era where supply chain resilience and agility have become boardroom priorities, MODEX has emerged as the definitive event for manufacturing and supply chain professionals. The 2026 edition, held April 13–16 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, didn’t just meet expectations—it shattered them, setting new records and showcasing an industry in rapid transformation.

By the Numbers: A Record-Breaking Event

MODEX 2026 was nothing short of monumental. The event welcomed 50,000 registered attendees from every U.S. state and 132 countries, alongside 1,057 exhibitors spanning 630,000 net square feet of exhibition space. These figures underscore the growing importance of supply chain innovation amid today’s global economic uncertainty.

“The value of this event is unmatched,” said Daniel McKinnon, MHI’s chief exhibitions officer. “Attendees left with actionable ideas, new partners and a clear view of what’s next for the supply chain industry.”

More Than an Exhibition: An Education Powerhouse

Beyond the sprawling show floor, MODEX delivered a comprehensive educational experience featuring 189 sessions, including four keynote presentations and content across 10 distinct educational tracks.

The tracks covered the full spectrum of modern supply chain challenges:

• Automation & Robotics
• Data Capture, Analytics & Information Management
• Distribution & Warehousing
• Sustainability & Alternative Energy
• Risk Mitigation & Resilience Planning
• E-Commerce Fulfillment & Last Mile Logistics

A major highlight was the debut of the “Supply Chain Resiliency Theater” in Hall A, featuring presentations focused on helping companies “anticipate, adapt to and recover from disruptions.” The MHI Industry Group Theater also made its MODEX debut after a successful run at ProMat 2025, offering sessions presented by MHI’s 18 industry groups.

The Innovation Hub: Robotics, AI, and Integration

If one theme dominated MODEX 2026, it was integration over isolation. Unlike previous years where the focus was on shiny new individual products, this year’s show emphasized how technologies could work together to fill gaps and create scalable, customizable solutions.

Major Partnerships Announced

Strategic alliances were a defining feature of the show:

• Dematic and GreyOrange partnered to integrate GreyMatter, an AI-powered platform that coordinates robots and workflows, into Dematic’s software portfolio.
• Toyota Industries Corporation unified its warehouse automation businesses—Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande, and viastore—under the Toyota Automated Logistics (TAL) name, while also forming a strategic partnership with AutoStore.
• FORTNA and Jacobi Robotics announced a partnership to deliver AI-powered mixed-case palletizing solutions.
• Ehrhardt Partner Group and Microsoft collaborated to establish AI-driven supply chain technology delivered globally via Microsoft Azure.

Global Players Make Their Mark

Hyundai Movex showcased its “total Smart Logistics solutions” at the event, featuring AI-powered robotics, omnidirectional automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and a 3D Digital Twin that connected the Atlanta exhibition floor with its R&D Center in Korea in real time. The company’s slogan—”AI·Robotics Automation Solution Partner”—signaled its ambition to lead the intelligent logistics era.

Innovation Awards: Recognizing Excellence

The MHI Innovation Awards honored standout contributions across key categories:

• Best IT Innovation: ProGlove
• Best New Innovation: Dexory
• Best Robotics Innovation: Anyware Robotics, Inc.
• Best Sustainability Innovation: Flux Power

Additionally, the StartUp Award went to Fork Mule, a company selected from participants in the MODEX 2026 StartUp Pavilion, an area dedicated to showcasing breakthrough supply chain technologies from early-stage innovators.

The Human Element: Navigating the Experience

With 600,000 square feet of exhibits, navigating MODEX required strategy. Show organizers introduced new spaces designed to help attendees recharge amidst the density of demonstrations. “The Peachtree Social” in Hall A offered a lounge-style environment with regional food options, while “The Backyard” in Hall C provided a space for informal conversations.

“One of the biggest pieces of feedback we hear is that people need places to sit and reset,” McKinnon noted. “Wall-to-wall booths and demonstrations can be a lot over four days.”

Looking Ahead: MODEX Expands West

Building on the momentum of MODEX 2026, MHI announced that the event will return to Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center on April 3–5, 2028. Even more significantly, the organization will launch MODEX West, a new event to be held October 18–20, 2028, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

A Smarter, More Resilient Future

MODEX 2026 made one thing clear: the supply chain industry is evolving at unprecedented speed. From AI-driven planning and warehouse automation to real-time visibility platforms and sustainable logistics solutions, the technologies on display offered a roadmap for navigating disruption.

Whether through strategic partnerships, AI integration, or the human connections forged on the show floor, MODEX proved that collaboration is the key to building the resilient, agile supply chains of tomorrow. As John Paxton, CEO of MHI, put it: “The energy on the show floor reflected an industry that is rapidly evolving—and eager to connect, collaborate and lead.”