MT Magazine March/April 2026

26

IMTS

THE STATE OF ADDITIVE ISSUE

Sam Potolicchio, Ph.D., a globally recognized leadership scholar, delivered the keynote at the IMTS 2026 Exhibitor Workshop to more than 350 participants.

IMTS 2026 Exhibitor Workshop Empowers Success BY MICHELLE EDMONSON VICE PRESIDENT, EXHIBITIONS

Just as manufacturing underpins our economy, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show is built to support the companies that power it. And a vital part of delivering the best

economy, highlighting areas of stability and opportunity while acknowledging ongoing uncertainty. Vice President of Research Kevin Bowers and Principal Economist Chris Chidzik, both of AMT, reinforced that perspective, noting that the industry is entering 2026 on a solid foundation supported by a 22.5% increase in machine tool orders from 2024 to 2025 (see USMTO press releases at AMTonline.org), a stable labor market, moderating inflation, and continued capital investment and consumer demand. While challenges remain, particularly around trade policy and tariffs, both emphasized that job shops, aerospace, defense, electrical equipment, and automation-intensive industries continue to invest – creating opportunities for manufacturing technology suppliers exhibiting at IMTS 2026.

possible exhibitor experience is the IMTS 2026 Exhibitor Workshop. Held Jan. 27-29, 2026, at McCormick Place, the workshop brought together nearly 350 participants for three days focused on helping exhibitors maximize their success through unrivaled educational content, marketing tools, and direct engagement with IMTS staff and trusted vendor partners. The Exhibitor Workshop reflects a core IMTS belief: When you succeed, we succeed. That shared commitment was a recurring theme throughout the presentations, reinforcing IMTS’ role as a long-term business platform. Setting the Stage for IMTS 2026 Doug Woods, the president of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, opened the Exhibitor Workshop with a data-driven overview of the manufacturing

Understanding the Manufacturing Environment

Workshop participants also gained insight into how IMTS remains sharply audience-focused, from organizing the show floor into 10 technology sectors and featuring real-life manufacturers in the ad campaign to delivering targeted attractions such as AMT’s Emerging Technology Center,