As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m reminded that monumental achievements never happen alone. It truly takes a village to produce IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the largest event of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. I’m filled with gratitude for the remarkable people who make it possible. IMTS represents the best of our industry. It’s where the marketplace connects, where forward-thinking manufacturing solutions take center stage, and where people discover the technologies shaping the future. Every two years, IMTS becomes the place to learn, collaborate, and be inspired through innovations on the show floor, insights from our conferences and main stage speakers, and the energy that fills every aisle of McCormick Place. Our goals for IMTS 2026 are clear: to deliver an engaging visitor experience, operate with precision and excellence in every aspect of the show, and connect buyers and sellers of manufacturing technology. Visitor Satisfaction: Delivering an Unforgettable Experience Every IMTS begins with our visitors. With nearly half attending for the first time, each show must feel fresh, relevant, and full of possibility. My first IMTS was in 1996, and I remember being hooked by the vibrancy of the show floor. My goal is for every visitor in 2026 to feel that same sense of excitement and connection. Visitors are the reason we do what we do, and their experience drives every decision we make. After each IMTS, we study attendee feedback — both from the show floor and our digital platforms — to shape the next experience. For 2026, we’re focused on creating meaningful buyer-seller connections, curating a dynamic mix of world-class exhibitors, and ensuring everyone discovers technologies and insights they can apply in their own businesses. Behind these goals are the teams who bring the visitor experience to life: Marketing and Communications, led by Kristin Bartschi, crafts the brand and campaigns that connect manufacturers to the show’s energy. The 2024 campaign earned Trade Show Executive’s Marketing Genius Award for creative excellence and impact. “If you’ve seen IMTS in your feed, your inbox, or on the show floor, you’ve seen our work,” Kristin says. Audience Development and Content, led by Cathy Ma, helps people discover IMTS from that first spark of curiosity online to the moment of connection on the show floor. In 2024, IMTS.com engaged 1.14 million digital visitors and generated over 84,000 leads through IMTS+ Digital Showrooms. By tracking what manufacturers are searching for, such as “automation technology,” which was queried 1,300 times last month, they create content that meets industry needs and drives engagement. We want every visitor to feel connected to a community advancing manufacturing together. Operational Excellence: Precision in Motion Our goal is to make certain IMTS remains the place you find new technologies and solutions to grow your business. IMTS 2026 is on track to deliver more than 1.25 million square feet of exhibit space, debut the Industrial AI Arena adjacent to the AMT Emerging Technology Center (ETC), and host more than 200 educational and keynote presentations spotlighting the brightest minds in advanced manufacturing. Producing IMTS is like building a city that runs flawlessly for six days. Behind the scenes, teams orchestrate thousands of moving parts, from installing massive equipment to scheduling hundreds of meetings. Each process, partner, and person contributes to creating a seamless event that reflects the innovation and precision for which manufacturing is known. Achieving that level of precision takes more than planning. It takes people with deep expertise and extraordinary dedication. I am grateful for the teams that transform vision into reality each time IMTS opens its doors: Exhibition Operations, led by Allison Konczyk, manages every logistical detail, coordinating with dozens of vendor partners across registration, rigging, audiovisual, electrical, and transportation. “It takes 400 forklifts to move 3,000 pieces of machinery for IMTS, and the night before IMTS opens, 20 miles of carpet is rolled out to cover the aisles before opening day,” says Allison. This group also handles countless details for the hundreds of speakers for the conferences that take place during the week of IMTS. Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relations, led by Bonnie Gurney, brings together the thought leaders and emerging voices shaping the future of manufacturing through the AMT ETC, the IMTS+ Main Stage, the IMTS+ Creators Lounge, and four IMTS+ Tech Hubs located in each of the four buildings of McCormick Place. Meetings and Housing, led by Lexy Olisko, oversees both the extensive meetings program during IMTS and Global Housing Solutions (GHS), powered by AMT — the only official hotel provider for IMTS. The GHS team negotiates with nearly 100 Chicago-area hotels and coordinates more than 100,000 room nights for the IMTS community, securing convenient, competitively priced, and dependable accommodations across the city. Their work lays the foundation for everything that follows — an environment where exhibitors and visitors can connect, collaborate, and succeed. Exhibitor Success: Connecting the Marketplace Our exhibitors are the heart of IMTS. Their innovations, investments, and engagement make IMTS the premiere marketplace for advanced manufacturing. Every two years, these companies bring the technologies and ideas that inspire visitors, strengthen supply chains, and shape the future of industry. Our job is to make sure they have everything they need to connect with customers, build relationships, and achieve measurable success. Exhibitor Services, led by Mark Kennedy, plays a central role in that mission. Mark’s team assigns more than 1,500 exhibitors to 1.25 million square feet of exhibit space and synchronizes the move-in of over 5,000 truckloads of freight. The team reviews each booth for compliance — from structure heights to hanging signs — balancing creativity and safety. “Planning begins months in advance,” Mark says. “Our goal is to make sure every exhibitor’s display is ready to shine on opening day.” The team also focuses on exhibitor education and readiness. Through the IMTS Exhibitor Workshop, exhibitor education webinars, and the Exhibitor Report e-newsletter, they provide practical insights that assist operations, marketing, and sales teams prepare for success. We are continually improving and developing resources that position exhibitors for long-term growth. When exhibitors are well-prepared, they can focus on what matters most: meeting new customers and showcasing their innovations. From booth design to buyer connections, every resource helps exhibitors maximize their IMTS experience and return home with new opportunities and lasting relationships. Together, these efforts make IMTS not just the largest manufacturing technology show in the Western Hemisphere but also the most effective marketplace for industrial innovation and connection. The result is a show floor that reflects the strength, creativity, and future of manufacturing, ensuring every exhibitor sees meaningful returns through genuine connections and measurable outcomes. Gratitude and Vision As we prepare for IMTS 2026, I’m deeply thankful for everyone who brings this event to life: our AMT leadership, the IMTS Show Committee, the AMT Board, and every team member, partner, and exhibitor who contributes their expertise and passion. IMTS is more than a trade show. It’s where innovation meets inspiration, where business meets partnership, and where the future of manufacturing takes shape. It truly takes a village, and I’m honored to have mine.
As the season of gratitude arrives, we recognize the people powering IMTS 2026 — our tireless team of creatives who bring energy, precision, and collaboration to every experience and connection at the world’s premier manufacturing technology event.
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