IMTS 2026 | What to Expect for Exhibitors
Attending a trade show is an excellent way to elevate your business and reach the top decision-makers in your industry. If you’re in manufacturing technology, the International Manufacturing Technology Show is the premier manufacturing technology show in North America that is a must for your business. With 1.3 million square feet of exhibit space and over 1,800 exhibiting companies showcasing products to buyers and sellers from 110+ countries, IMTS 2026 offers unrivaled access and opportunity for your business.
Learn more about IMTS 2026 and find out why it’s a must-attend event for your business.
About IMTS 2026
IMTS 2026 is the premier manufacturing technology show in North America. The event is branded as “IMTS 2026 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show,” with the tagline “Achieve the Impossible” for 2026.
The IMTS Conference features over 70 different sessions of educational programming to help industry professionals address the challenges in their operations. Sessions are organized into major tracks including Process Innovations, Alternative Processes, Plant Operations, Quality/Inspection, and Automation.
The event regularly attracts manufacturing industry professionals from all over the world to see thousands of new machine tools, controls, computers, software, components, systems and processes that can improve the efficiency of manufacturing.
Thousands of exhibitors also attend, providing excellent networking opportunities within the industry. Manufacturers display equipment in the following product category pavilions:
- Metal Cutting: everything from machining centers and assembly automation to manufacturing systems.
- Tooling and Workholding Systems: jigs, fixtures and cutting tools of all types.
- Metal Forming & Fabricating/Laser: waterjet, laser, plasma-arc, welding, and heat-treating equipment.
- Abrasive Machining/Sawing/Finishing
- Controls and CAD-CAM
- EDM
- Gear Generation
- Motion Drive and Automation (North America): a new pavilion for 2026
- Machine Components/Cleaning/Environmental
- Quality Assurance: now a standalone pavilion
Additive manufacturing is presented as a dedicated sector, “Additive Manufacturing – accelerated by Formnext,” reflecting the growing importance of this technology.
IMTS 2026 Facts
Date: September 14-19, 2026
Venue: McCormick Place
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Expected Number of Exhibitors: 1,800+
Exhibit Space: 1.3 million square feet
Countries Represented: 29 countries among exhibitors, 110+ countries for attendees
Sponsor: Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT)
Who Attends IMTS?
Industry professionals around the globe in the technology industry in search of inspiration and community through weekend-long panels and events.
How to Exhibit at IMTS?
Exhibiting at IMTS gives you an opportunity to meet with the top technology professionals and vendors face to face. There’s no better way to develop relationships and get your products or services into the minds of your most valuable prospects. It also gives you a chance to see what other companies are doing in the technology industry and stay up to date with the latest trends.
Making the Most of Your Exhibition
If you’re planning to attend IMTS 2026, a lot of preparation is necessary to make sure you get the most out of the experience. Here are some tips to make sure you stand out and get as many opportunities as possible from your time:
- First impressions mean everything. Put effort into your booth design, layout, marketing materials and promotional materials to make a good impression.
- Bring enough staff to interact with visitors and keep your booth buzzing as much as possible. If visitors see others enjoying their time with you, they’ll want to visit too.
- Give visitors free stuff. Hand out big stickers, wearables, trinkets and other goods with games and giveaways. This will not only attract people to your booth, but it will also give you free promotion as people walk around the show with your promotional pieces.
- Have pre-show meetings. The best way to ensure that your staff is on the right track with the show is to host regular pre-show meetings to prepare them for what’s ahead. It’s important that your staff understands your expectations to have a smooth exhibitor experience.
- Create an experience. If it’s possible to turn your products or services into an interactive experience, you’ll attract and keep more visitors. Work with marketing to craft an experience that draws people to connect with your brand.
Prepare for IMTS 2026 With Xibit Solutions
IMTS 2026 is the premier trade show for manufacturing technology, drawing thousands of exhibitors and attendees from 110+ countries to share in the most important developments in the industry. If you’re planning to exhibit at IMTS 2026, Xibit Solutions can help you craft a show-stopping booth experience and keep visitors talking and interacting with your brand.
With over 20 years’ experience helping businesses succeed at trade shows, Xibit Solutions can help you with every aspect of your exhibit, from quality booths to trade show logistics. We’re here to take the stress and planning out of the exhibit so that you can focus on getting your staff and business ready for success. Contact us today to learn more about our services and request a quote!
