‘Church Lady’ Comic, Magic Johnson Headline ProMat 2017

“Well, isn’t that special?!”

That was one of the most popular catchphrases of the 1990s. Now the comedian behind the “Church Lady”, “Garth” from “Wayne’s World”, and other popular characters is scheduled to address this year’s ProMAT materials handling conference.

That was one of the most popular catchphrases of the 1990s. Now Dana Carvey, the comedian behind the “Church Lady”, “Garth” from “Wayne’s World”, and other popular characters, is scheduled to address this year’s ProMat materials handling conference.

Thousands of materials handling industry professionals will converge on ProMAT 2017 when the annual trade show is held April 3 through 6 at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center.

Carvey will perform at the MHI Industry Night function scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, April 5. He is perhaps most famous for his time on NBC-TV’s Saturday Night Live, where he created some of television’s most memorable characters, including “Hans” from Hanz &  Franz. But he also has starred in such films as “The Master of Disguise” and as a voice actor in “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Hotel Transylvania 2”.

LA Laker Legend

NBA Legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson (Photo via ProMat 2017)
NBA Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Photo via ProMat 2017)

Also appearing at ProMat 2017 will be former NBA star and successful entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who is scheduled to give a keynote address on April 5.

Johnson is perhaps best known for his years with the LA Lakers, a two-time NBA Hall of Famer, as well as being an Olympic gold medalist on the 1992 USA “Dream Team”.

But since leaving basketball, Johnson has been a successful businessman, launching his Urban America brand of streetwear — valued at an estimated $1 billion — as well as formerly being part owner of the Magic Johnson Theatres chain.

Johnson speech is entitled, “The Power of Magic: Know Your Customer and Where They Are Going”.

Other Notable Speakers

Also giving a keynote address during the conference is Markus Lorenz, partner and managing director of The Boston Consulting Group, who will speak April 4 on “How Intelligent Machines Are Transforming Supply Chains”.

On April 3, a panel discussion on “Building Supply Chain Sustainability for Competitive Advantage: Lessons Learned from Leaders in Innovative Facility Design” will be led by Andrew Winston, sustainability expert and author of “Green to Gold”.

And on April 5, MHI CEO George W. Prest and Scott Sopher, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, will offer a preview of the MHI annual industry report for 2017.

The trade show will feature more than 850 vendors as well as 100 show floor seminars, including new “town hall” style sessions on autonomous vehicles and sustainable facility solutions, according to the ProMat news release.