Augmented Reality To Make Its Debut at PROCESS EXPO 2019
February 12, 2019
As technology continues to become an essential part of the trade show ecosystem, some show organizers are creating dedicated showfloor spaces for tech innovations that make sense for the industries their shows represent.
Case in point: PROCESS EXPO, which will unveil its Augmented Reality Showcase as one of its new showfloor activities, Oct. 8-11 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Organized by Harvin AR, the AR Showcase will provide attendees with new ways to experience processing and packaging equipment through AR holograms and guided AR training simulations by participating exhibitors.
The AR Showcase promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s PROCESS EXPO.
“Whether it’s empowering maintenance personnel on the plant floor or engineers envisioning processing floor adaptations from the actual plant floor, this technology has the potential to revolutionize how suppliers work with food processors,” said Jarrod McCarroll, president of Weber and chairman of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), the global trade association that produces the show.
He added, “Thanks to these demonstrations at PROCESS EXPO, attendees will get first-hand experience on this technology that they may soon be seeing in their plants in the future.”
For the first edition of the AR Showcase, the show’s organizers expect a small core group of five to six exhibitors to participate in the exhibit. It will focus on the industrial applications of AR in the food processing plant setting and highlight how holograms can be used with existing equipment to show modifications or additions. It will also demonstrate training components that could reduce costs for both the customer and the supplier, said Andrew Drennan, senior vice president of the FPSA.
“At PROCESS EXPO 2017, we held the Virtual Reality Showroom, in which eight exhibitors participated and nearly 1,000 attendees utilized the VR experience,” Drennan said. “For this year’s show, we feel that augmented reality is the next step up in this technological evolution.”
Between the new showcase, live production lines and demonstrations, certification courses, PROCESS EXPO University and myriad networking opportunities, event organizers have filled the week with activities addressing issues within the food processing industry. They’ve also created new opportunities to identify manufacturing solutions, said David Seckman, FPSA president and CEO.
“The Augmented Reality Showcase is one of the many innovative showfloor activities that attendees will find at this year’s PROCESS EXPO,” Seckman said. “Of course, this is in addition to exhibits of over 500 companies providing manufacturing solutions in processing and packaging across all segments of the food and beverage industry, which is the true draw for food industry professionals across the globe.”
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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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