What you accomplish in the six days of IMTS 2026 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show can shape your business for the next five years. With just under one year to go, now is the time to start planning your most strategic IMTS visit yet. Breakthrough technologies, bold investments, and renewed energy around U.S. manufacturing are converging to make IMTS 2026 a game changer.
IMTS brings together the ideas, technologies, and people that move our industry forward and help people and businesses achieve the impossible. From Sept. 14-19, 2026, McCormick Place in Chicago will again become a launchpad for innovation and adoption. The excitement is building.
AI and Automation at Scale
Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital manufacturing solutions will take center stage at IMTS 2026 – and not just in theory. Leading tech giants like Amazon Web Services (booth #236217), Google Cloud (booth #236709), and Microsoft (booth #236609) are all returning to the Automation Sector, accelerated by SPS – Smart Production Solutions, to demonstrate real-world applications that drive performance and precision.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. Exhibitors across all 10 technology sectors are integrating AI to:
Generate toolpaths automatically
Optimize production schedules
Analyze data to improve machine uptime
Enhance vision systems and inspection
Strengthen supply chain resilience
For the first time, IMTS will feature a dedicated AI Arena and an Industrial AI Conference, underscoring AI’s rapid, widespread integration across nearly every facet of manufacturing.
Proof in Performance: Real IMTS Results
For manufacturers like Tom Bassett, owner of Pro-Cam Services LLC in Michigan, IMTS delivers direct ROI. His 24-person CNC job shop bought a DN Solutions (booth #338919) 5-axis DVF 5000 at IMTS 2024, reducing milling time on a rocket part from 72 hours to 20. His company’s previous IMTS purchase, Zoller’s (booth #432018) presetter and heat shrinker, helped boost revenue by more than $1 million.
“When you’re in your shop every day, you live in a bubble,” says Bassett. “IMTS opens up the world. It’s a powerhouse of innovation, bringing together everything related to manufacturing under one roof.”
Florida shop owner Chris Basgall, CEO of Catamount Machine Works, experienced a similar leap. In the Software Sector at IMTS 2024, he discovered High QA’s (booth #134500) auto-ballooning software, which instantly extracts part dimensions and generates a bill of characteristics from 2D drawings.
“High QA reduced our document prep time by 80%,” says Basgall. “It is our highest ROI project in the past five years.”
A Stronger Climate for U.S. Manufacturing
Behind the momentum for IMTS 2026 is a resurging U.S. manufacturing economy. With personal consumption expenditures in the United States reaching approximately $19 trillion, companies increasingly want to produce goods where they’re consumed.
“We have seen more than $2 trillion in manufacturing investment this year, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes tax policies that encourage more investment,” says Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT. “With smart policy, global partnerships, and a likely drop in interest rates, the business climate heading into IMTS 2026 will be stronger than ever.”
Make Your IMTS 2026 Plan Today
To make the most of IMTS, start planning now. Set up your free Show Planner account and begin bookmarking must-see exhibitors and presentations. Use it to explore digital showrooms, browse products, download collateral, connect with company representatives, and even access special offers. You’ll also receive personalized exhibitor recommendations based on your interests. Then review the IMTS 2026 floor plan to map out your route across McCormick Place.
Here’s what’s new and noteworthy:
The Additive Sector, accelerated by Formnext moves next to the Metal Removal Sector in the South Building.
A new AI Arena, adjacent to AMT’s Emerging Technology Center in the North Building, showcases real-world AI applications across manufacturing.
The Smartforce Student Summit, located on Level 1 of the North Building, will once again inspire the next generation of talent.
Featured attractions include the ETC, the IMTS+ Main Stage, the Creators Lounge for manufacturing influencers, and an expanded job shops-focused program from Gardner Business Media.
The Miles for Manufacturing 5K returns, building on a legacy of raising more than $250,000 for STEM education.
A comprehensive conference lineup delivers expert insights and actionable takeaways for navigating tech adoption, including the new Industrial AI Conference and flagship IMTS 2026 Conference.
From Inspiration to Execution
IMTS 2026 covers more than 1 million square feet of exhibits. Whether you’re looking for a small tool that makes a big impact or a smart machine that transforms your operations, you’ll find it here – along with experts ready to help you take the next step.
IMTS 2026 is your moment to connect, discover, and achieve the impossible. Don’t just see the future. Start building it. Plan to attend IMTS 2026 on Sept. 14-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Register now at IMTS.com/Register.
To read the rest of the International Issue of MT Magazine, click here.
