Make the most of your time at the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS
Whether you are bringing K-12 students or undergrads, a little advance planning will help your group navigate the event, connect with exhibitors, and explore the technologies shaping the future of manufacturing.
Dates, Times & Location
Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2026
September 14–19, 2026
McCormick Place, North Building, Hall C
2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616
Summit Hours
Day |
Date |
Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | September 14 | 9:00am – 3:00pm |
| Tuesday | September 15 | 9:00am – 3:00pm |
| Wednesday | September 16 | 9:00am – 3:00pm |
| Thursday | September 17 | 9:00am – 3:00pm |
| Friday | September 18 | 9:00am – 3:00pm |
| Saturday | September 19 | 9:00am – 1:00pm |
The Summit is approximately 25,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and immersive displays from best-in-class manufacturing technology innovators, universities and colleges, and workforce development partners. Students, educators, chaperones that attend the Summit also receive access to all IMTS exhibit halls.
Registration is available at IMTS, but all groups are encouraged to sign up early. Headcounts can be updated after registering.
Need Approval to Attend?
We know that educators often need to make the case for field trips, travel, or professional learning experiences. Our justification letters are designed to help you explain the value of bringing students to the Smartforce Student Summit.
Use these templates to communicate the educational benefits of attending, including hands-on STEM learning, career exploration, exposure to advanced technologies, and direct engagement with industry professionals.
- For elementary school educators
- For middle school educators
- For high school educators
- For community college educators
- For university educators
Sample Itineraries
Not sure where to begin? Use our sample itineraries to help plan a visit that fits your group's age level, learning goals, and time on-site.
Explore suggested pathways for:
- Robotics, Automation & Smart Manufacturing
- Precision Manufacturing, Machining & Quality
- College, Research & Future Manufacturing Careers
Plan Ahead & FAQs
Before arriving, please review our FAQs for transportation, parking, food, chaperone ratios student behavior expectations, accessibility, and other event details with your group. The Smartforce Student Summit takes place inside a professional trade show environment, so students should be prepared to engage respectfully with exhibitors, technologies, and other attendees.
We recommend that educators and chaperones review expectations with students before the trip, assign small groups as needed, and identify must-see exhibitors or experiences in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about attending the Smartforce Student Summit, including registration, arrival, parking, dining, accessibility, group logistics, student behavior, and what to expect on-site.
Visit our FAQ Page