McLean, Va. (October 30, 2024) — The organizations behind Formnext Chicago formally announce the postponement of the show, which was due to launch April 8-10, 2025, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
“In light of the current market conditions, the structural dynamics of additive manufacturing (AM), and scheduling conflicts with another AM show, it became increasingly difficult for us to host a successful and impactful event,” said Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which organized the show with Mesago Messe Frankfurt (the producers of Formnext in Germany) and Gardner Business Media (GBM). “After careful consideration, we believe that postponement of Formnext Chicago is the most responsible decision under current circumstances.”
Woods continued: “Our priority is to support the buyer and seller community in ways that truly benefit their businesses, and we believe this is the best course of action to achieve that goal. AMT represents the builders of technology, and we’re guided by our focus on acting in the best interest of our members and the manufacturing technology industry community as a whole.”
The objective of creating Formnext Chicago was to bring together the entire additive manufacturing and industrial production ecosystem in North America, expanding the success of Formnext in Germany, the largest AM event in the world.
“Our goal as an organization is to bring communities together and move them forward,” said Woods. “We will continue to build bridges between buyers and sellers of AM technology, the manufacturing and AM communities, and the organizations supporting the technology, an objective that will continue at IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show in 2026 with enhancements to the Additive Manufacturing Sector and expanded conferences at the world’s largest manufacturing event.”
“We feel that it is not the right timing or the appropriate signal to the market to proceed with the launch in 2025. Our focus remains on supporting the industry, and postponing the event allows us to better align with the evolving needs of companies and the market landscape,” said Sascha F. Wenzler, vice president of Formnext, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.
“As disappointed as we are to postpone Formnext Chicago, we remain committed to serving and growing the industrial additive manufacturing community through content and events,” said Rick Kline Jr., president of Gardner Business Media. “Our broad manufacturing audience represents the sweet spot for growth in the market. Highlighted by the editorial leadership of ‘Additive Manufacturing Media,’ we remain focused on driving AM awareness. We have great partners in AMT and Mesago and look forward to the continued introduction of solutions that bring value and opportunity to the market.”
Because of the strength of the Additive Manufacturing Sector, accelerated by Formnext at IMTS 2024 and the enthusiasm for the 23-plus presentations on the Formnext Stage, IMTS has become an AM destination for the manufacturing community.
“We will leverage our partnership with Mesago and GBM to expand the presence of AM at IMTS 2026 to deliver new and bigger benefits to everyone in the AM value chain, including existing AM adopters and industrial manufacturers that represent the future of AM growth,” said Woods.
Leading organizations supporting Formnext Chicago, shown here on the Formnext Stage at IMTS 2024, remain focused on supporting the additive manufacturing industry. Postponing the event allows the group to better align with the evolving needs of companies and the market landscape.
The presence of additive manufacturing will expand at IMTS 2026 to deliver new and bigger benefits to everyone in the AM-value chain, including existing AM adopters and industrial manufacturers that represent the future of AM growth.
About Formnext
Formnext is the leading trade fair for Additive Manufacturing and the next generation of intelligent manufacturing solutions. It focuses on the efficient realization of parts and products, from their design to serial production. Formnext shows the future of innovative manufacturing. Formnext is organized by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Formnext 2024 will run November 19 – 22, 2024, in Frankfurt, Germany. (formnext.com)
About Formnext Chicago
Formnext Chicago creates one event in the United States dedicated to all aspects for additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing. Formnext Chicago will be the North American gathering place for the next generation of industrial production. Formnext Chicago will run April 8 – 10, 2025, at McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill. (formnextchicago.com)
About Mesago Messe Frankfurt
Mesago, founded in 1982 and located in Stuttgart, specializes in exhibitions and conferences on various topics of technology. The company belongs to the Messe Frankfurt Group. Mesago operates internationally and is not tied to a specific venue. With 160 members of staff Mesago organizes events for the benefit of more than 3,300 exhibitors and over 110,000 trade visitors, conference delegates and speakers from all over the world. Numerous trade associations, publishing houses, scientific institutes and universities work with Mesago closely as advisers, co-organizers and partners. (mesago.com)
About Messe Frankfurt North America, Inc.
Messe Frankfurt North America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Messe Frankfurt North America, Inc. produces and manages 10 shows within the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including: The Clean Show, Texworld New York City, Apparel Sourcing New York City, Home Textiles Sourcing, Techtextil North America, Texprocess Americas, INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico City, Waste & Recycling Expo Canada, Festival of Motoring Atlanta, and Process Expo. For more information, please visit our website at www.us.messefrankfurt.com.
About AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology – the advanced machinery, devices, and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive. Located in McLean, Virginia, near the nation’s capital, AMT acts as the industry’s voice to speed the pace of innovation, increase global competitiveness, and develop manufacturing’s advanced workforce of tomorrow. With extensive expertise in industry data and intelligence, as well as a full complement of international business operations, AMT offers its members an unparalleled level of support. AMT also produces IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the premier manufacturing technology event in North America. AMTonline.org.
About IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show
IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show is where the creators, builders, sellers, and drivers of manufacturing technology come to connect and be inspired. Attendees discover advanced manufacturing solutions that include innovations in CNC machining, automation, robotics, additive, software, inspection, and transformative digital technologies that drive our future forward. Powered by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, IMTS is the largest manufacturing technology show and marketplace in the Western Hemisphere. With more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, the show attracts visitors from more than 110 countries. IMTS 2022 had 86,307 registrants, featured 1,816 exhibiting companies, saw over 7,600 people attend educational events, and included a Student Summit that introduced the next generation to manufacturing. Be the change at IMTS 2024, Sept. 9-14, 2024. Inspiring the Extraordinary. IMTS.com.
About Gardner Business Media, Inc.
Gardner Business Media is the premier publisher and event producer for manufacturing in North America – providing unique, one-of-a-kind, relevant information of keen interest to the people who power plants, shops, and factories. With powerhouse media brands like Modern Machine Shop, Plastics Technology, Composites World and Additive Manufacturing Gardner has unprecedented reach into the North American manufacturing ecosystem (Gardnerweb.com).
