IMTS 2024 Job Shops WorkshopWhile IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show has always been the place where job shops come to see the latest machines, it’s also where business leaders come to compare ideas, share challenges, and discover best practices that can shape the future of their businesses. To help small manufacturers solve common business and production challenges, IMTS offers the Job Shops Workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1:30-4:30 p.m., followed by a networking reception until 6 p.m. IMTS 2026 runs from Sept. 14-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The IMTS Job Shops Workshop provides practical guidance for today’s most timely topics, including automation, AI, the economy, and business management systems. The workshop speakers understand the realities of running a shop, so attendees will leave with new ideas, new connections, and a clearer vision of the next move to make. The workshop agenda features five sessions: State of the Industry: Economic Update by Chris Chidzik, AMT principal economist. The Automation Yellow Brick Road: Tips from Travelers at Different Stages of the Journey, with moderator Chris McNamara of Automation World and panelists David Liu of finalREV, Katie Murphy of Arcamed, and Mike Payne of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication. How Is AI Changing the Future of Tomorrow's Job Shop? with James Marzilli of Warpcore AI and Native AI Machine Shop, Russ Waddell of AMT, and Al Whatmough of G28. Manufacturing – The Change by Jay Rogers of Haddy. Job Shops Industry Exchange: An Interactive Conversation with Dave Capkovitz of EBITDA Growth Systems (IMTS booth #135724), Nicholas Ward of Ward Manufacturing Co., Rebecca Wolfinger of Mil-Spec Manufacturing, and Nate Bourgeois of Ouroboros Space and Defense. “Job shops are the backbone of North American manufacturing. They’re solving difficult problems every day while looking for smarter ways to stay competitive,” says Rita Conroy, director of marketing and customer experience at Zoller, a workshop sponsor and IMTS exhibitor (booth #432018). “This workshop gives manufacturers practical strategies they can apply immediately while connecting them with technologies and partners that can help improve efficiency and reduce costs.” Staying Competitive Job shops often hesitate to change for several reasons: they face higher risk if a new machine sits idle, it can be harder to secure favorable financing, and many still operate with an “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. However, maintaining the status quo can lead to less competitive bidding and slimmer profits given the rapid pace of technological change. The good news is that these technologies are increasingly accessible. But where to start, and in what context? The Job Shops Workshop provides that context and does so in a setting where attendees learn from and connect with their peers and industry experts who have real-world experience. “Most automation conversations focus on the technology,” says Mike Payne, president and owner of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication and leader of a workshop session on automation. “I want this workshop to connect automation to the business. Technology usually isn’t what holds companies back. People, processes, and execution are. Whether you're looking at robots, pallet systems, AI, or automating office tasks like quoting and scheduling, the goal is understanding where automation creates real value rather than an exercise in buying another piece of equipment.” Payne will co-present with David Liu, founder and CEO of finalREV, a custom-part fabricator with a digital workflow capable of same-day delivery, and Katie Murphy, a manufacturing automation and digital transformation engineer at Arcamed.The AI session features three experts with decades of collective digital experience: moderator Russ Waddell of AMT and panelists Al Whatmough, founder of G28, and James Marzilli, founder and CEO of Warpcore AI, the Native AI Machine Shop. Additive manufacturing and future factory visionary Jay Rogers will share how Haddy is reinventing manufacturing. To create a forum where job shop leaders can talk about what keeps them up at night, attend the Industry Exchange led by Dave Capkovitz, principal and founder at EBITDA Growth Systems, and featuring Rebecca Wolfinger, owner of Mil-Spec Manufacturing, Nicholas Ward, general manager of Ward Manufacturing, and Nate Bourgeois of Ouroboros Space and Defense. Continue the conversations afterward at the Job Shops Workshop reception, held in the foyer outside room W196-A on the first floor of the West Building. Secure the advance rate of $299 by registering before Sept. 1, when pricing increases to $345. Register today. Workshop registration includes admission to the Job Shops Workshop, networking reception, and all six days of the IMTS 2026 exhibit halls. 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