IMTS 2026 to Feature Industrial AI, Additive Manufacturing Conferences
The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2026 will expand its conference program to include nine events, with a new focus on industrial artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing in aerospace and defense.
IMTS 2026, scheduled for September 14–19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, will host an expanded conference program featuring nine distinct events and over 90 sessions. The show, produced by The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT), anticipates over 86,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors.
The conference program aims to provide manufacturers with actionable insights and networking opportunities. The main IMTS 2026 Conference will cover topics such as automation, metrology, tooling, and software, with previews including discussions on model-based design, lights-out manufacturing, vision AI for quality inspection, and the role of additive manufacturing (AM) in precision applications.
Several specialized conferences are scheduled. On September 15, attendees can choose from the Job Shops Workshop, Día de América Latina en IMTS for the Spanish-speaking community, an AM+ Workshop focused on AM in aerospace and defense, and an Investor Summit. The following day, September 16, will host the ELEVATE Conference, the Industrial Laser Conference, an EBITDA Growth Systems session for defense, space, and aerospace supply chains, and the inaugural Industrial AI Conference.
The new Industrial AI Conference is designed to help manufacturers identify practical applications and business value for AI in their operations. Keynote speaker Dr. Jay Lee will address challenges in AI adoption, such as data accessibility and processing location. A featured case study will demonstrate the use of edge AI devices for monitoring CNC machines. This focus on AI reflects a shift at IMTS towards showcasing measurable deployment and practical implementation on the shop floor.
The inclusion of a dedicated Industrial AI Conference and an AM+ Workshop focused on aerospace and defense at IMTS 2026 highlights the growing integration of AI and AM technologies. This reflects the industry's push towards intelligent automation, closed-loop quality systems, and reducing reliance on specialized expertise, which are critical for scaling AM and supporting advanced applications in sectors like aerospace and space.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.