IMTS 2026-The International Manufacturing Technology Show will expand its role as the manufacturing industry's leading education destination with a broader lineup of conferences, including the new IMTS Industrial AI Conference, a full-day event on Sept. 16 focused on reality-based AI knowledge for manufacturers. IMTS will present nine total conferences, including The IMTS 2026 Conference, featuring 69 sessions that cover automation, artificial intelligence, systems integration, machining, materials, tooling, workholding, metrology, alternative manufacturing, software, cost justification, and more.
IMTS 2026 runs Sept. 14-19 at Chicago's McCormick Place, with conferences running Monday through Thursday of the show. IMTS will bring together more than 86,000 registrants, 1,800 exhibitors, and 10 Technology Sectors that cover 1.2 million sq. ft. of exhibit space.
9 Total Conferences
Conferences at IMTS focus on key segments of the manufacturing industry, including:
- IMTS Job Shops Workshop on Sept. 15: This half-day workshop (1-4:30 p.m., with reception following) features sessions on the economic state of the industry, automation integration for job shops, AI, the future of manufacturing, and a moderated open conversation with attendees.
- Dia de América Latina en IMTS (IMTS LATAM Day) on Sept. 15: This half-day conference and reception is for the Spanish-speaking manufacturing technology community, focusing on transformative technologies, sustainable manufacturing, and regional trends in the high-growth markets of Mexico, Latin America, and Spain.
- AM+ Workshop: Aerospace & Defense on Sept. 15.: Presented by Additive Manufacturing Media, Modern Machine Shop, and Manufacturing Connected, this half-day workshop will highlight how military contractors, aerospace OEMs, and others are applying additive manufacturing to achieve significant lead time reductions, cost savings, and accelerated innovation.
- IMTS Investor Summit: This all-day event on Sept. 15 includes a reception, connects investors with advanced manufacturing experts who demystify the estimated $65 billion manufacturing technology industry, and provides tools to identify opportunities.
- ELEVATE Conference: Powered by AMT and the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), this conference runs for the afternoon on Sept. 16 with a reception to follow. The event will inspire, empower, and connect manufacturing professionals.
- Industrial Laser Conference: Presented by the Laser Institute of America (LIA), this event runs all day on Sept. 16. It focuses on laser applications that include marking, cutting, welding, heat treating, remote welding, cleaning, AM, and more.
- Industrial AI Conference: This full-day event on Sept. 16 is designed for manufacturers seeking implementable outcomes for the production floor.
- EBITDA Growth Systems presentation on Sept. 16 from 9 AM to 11 AM: This will help attendees unlock high-margin defense, space, and aerospace contracts with proven tactics. Learn how to enter mission-critical supply chains, build compliance and credibility, target the right programs, price strategically, and move from quoting to winning.
Make Time for Education
With the quality and quantity of conference sessions available, it is recommended that IMTS 2026 visitors plan an extra day at the show or assign additional team members to attend conferences relevant to their area of expertise or responsibility. A small sample of topics at The IMTS Conference includes:
- From Design to Part Delivery, Unlocking 2D/3D MBD (model-based design) for OEMs & Manufacturers
- Lights-Out Manufacturing Without the Robot: Practical Engineering Lessons from In-Spindle Automation
- Rethinking Toolpath Creation: A Visual Approach to CNC Programming
- Zero-Point Plates-Optimizing Your Shop Floor
- Why Accuracy & Precision Are No Longer the Limiting Factor in Additive Manufacturing
- Micro Machining-Achieve the Impossible
- Precision Redefined: Integrated 3D Scanning Solutions for Metrology-Grade Inspection and Reverse Engineering
- Do More with the Mill You Have: U-Axis Turning on CNC Mills
- Quality 4.0 with Vision AI: Scaling Inspection Without Scaling Headcount
- AI-specific presentations on all four days of The IMTS 2026 Conference.
Industrial AI Epicenter
At IMTS 2026, show focus will include Industrial AI, an enabling technology that is increasingly present in how manufacturers optimize operations, empower workers, and drive continuous improvement.
As one of the world's leading pioneers in Industrial AI, featured speaker Dr. Jay Lee of the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland will share how manufacturers can identify high-impact opportunities, overcome common data challenges, and build the operational foundation needed for successful AI adoption. Sessions will highlight real-world applications that improve productivity, machine performance, and workforce effectiveness.
"Most manufacturers face three critical barriers when adopting Industrial AI," said Lee. "First, identifying usable data. Second, selecting the right AI tools. Third, deciding whether intelligence should run at the edge or in the cloud."
In one featured case study, Lee will demonstrate how manufacturers can effectively monitor multiple CNC machines using low-cost edge AI devices with a predictive and traceable stream-of-quality (SoQ) methodology.
All conferences require registration and a fee, which also provides full access to the IMTS exhibition halls for all six days of the show. Register for IMTS 2026 and discover more at IMTS.com.