Industry business leaders will learn how digital and transformative manufacturing technologies can drive the future of their operations at IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which runs Sept. 9-14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Featured presentations on the IMTS+ Main Stage include executives from BlueForge Alliance, Google Cloud, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Microsoft, Manufacturing USA, RFK Racing, Siemens USA, Strategic Submarines, and more.

IMTS 2024 is the largest gathering of the creators, builders, and drivers of manufacturing in the Western Hemisphere, featuring over 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, more than 1,600 exhibitors, an expected crowd of 100,000-plus registrants, and hundreds of tech attractions.

“IMTS 2024 provides an unparalleled opportunity to listen to, engage, and network with thought leaders, technical experts, and peers in formal and casual settings throughout the show,” says Bonnie Gurney, vice president of strategic content and partnerships, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS. “Visitors come to IMTS to solve immediate challenges and see what their business could look like in the future. With presentations and access to a who’s who in the world of digital and manufacturing technologies, no other event can boast the level of attractions, presentations, and exhibits as IMTS 2024.”

Spotlights include daily keynotes from top executives on the IMTS+ Main Stage, located in the Grand Concourse of McCormick Place, along with multiple stages throughout the show, the new IMTS+ AfterWords Stage, the Formnext Stage, the SPS – Smart Production Solutions Stage, and more. The show features special attractions such as AMT’s Emerging Technology Center (booth #236700), along with a lineup of distinctive vehicles in McCormick Square, including the Strati, the world’s first 3D printed car, which was made at IMTS 2014.

IMTS+ Main Stage Speakers and Topics

The IMTS+ Main Stage features Fortune 500 technology companies, disruptive startups, technology incubators, and thought leaders (see full list of IMTS+ Main Stage topics). Select keynote presenters include:

• Opening Session on Monday, Sept. 9, at 9:30-10 a.m. will feature Doug Woods, AMT president, Kathleen Mitford, corporate vice president, global industry marketing of Microsoft, and Peter Eelman, AMT chief experience officer. Woods will welcome attendees, inviting them to explore the innovations and technological advances that drive up sales and lower operating costs. Mitford will present how industrial AI is transforming the way we design innovative products, build and operate intelligent factories, and enable frontline workers as well as offer insight into how data and AI can empower organizations to achieve sustainable transformation. They will open IMTS 2024 at 10 a.m. with Eelman leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Visit with Microsoft in booth #236205.
• Praveen Rao, managing director, manufacturing at Google Cloud, will present “AI-powered Operations of the Future” on Monday, Sept. 9, at 12:30-1 p.m. AI offers the opportunity to transform manufacturing. Rao will share Google Cloud’s perspective and specific use cases that can boost productivity and operational efficiency, including new research findings. The session will feature customers at the forefront of the AI revolution and the foundational pillars manufacturers need to innovate at scale. Visit with Google Cloud in booth #236709.
• Paul Rogers, president and CEO, Americas and Asia Pacific of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, will provide insight as to why manufacturing companies need to approach innovation with a mindset of understanding why change is necessary on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9:30-10 a.m. He will focus on learning to innovate beyond silos, the need to increase design and dimension accuracy early, and devising new ways to bridge workforce skills gaps and accelerate time to market. Visit with Hexagon in booth #134102 and booth #133210.
• Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, will have a fireside chat with Tim Shinbara, chief strategy officer of BlueForge Alliance, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 12:30-1 p.m. Their conversation will focus on the democratization of technology by discussing Siemens’ perspective on combining the real world and the digital world to accelerate sustainability and innovation. Additional topics will include the digital transformation of manufacturing, the industrial metaverse, and platforms and ecosystems. Visit with Siemens in booth #133249 and booth #236217 and BlueForge Alliance in booth #236700 and booth #236905.
• Rear Admiral Todd S. Weeks, program executive officer, Strategic Submarines, will speak on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 9:30-10 a.m. Weeks will address the importance of America’s submarine fleet in the context of increasing global threats and how the U.S. Navy is working with industry to solve these challenges. Visitors can discover more about strengthening the U.S. submarine industrial base and BlueForge Alliance in the AMT Emerging Technology Center in booth #236700.
• Brad Keselowski, co-owner of RFK Racing, driver of the BuildSubmarines.com Ford car, and owner of KAM, and Kevin Kidd, director of software and analytics at RFK Racing, will talk about the synergies between a NASCAR team and our military’s needs on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 12:30-1:00 p.m. They will also discuss inspiring the workforce of the next generation across the country with the BuildSubmarines.com car showcased in McCormick Square.
• Manufacturing USA will celebrate its 10th anniversary. At 9:30-10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, Mike Molnar, director of the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, and panelists will discuss the Manufacturing USA network’s contributions to addressing industry challenges, its success in commercializing innovation, and the vision for its future role in maintaining and enhancing U.S. industrial competitiveness. Visit with Manufacturing USA in booth #236156.
• On Friday, Sept. 13, at 9:30-10 a.m., Craig Blue, Ryan Dehoff, Bill Peter, and Brian Post from Oak Ridge National Laboratory will discuss the research, development, and benefits of their new convergent manufacturing platform. They will explain how the platform is advantageous to small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to strengthen their high-mix, low-volume production processes. Visit with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in AMT’s Emerging Technology Center in booth #236700.

“The presentations at IMTS help business leaders gain insight on how they can improve their operations using digital technologies and creative management processes,” says Gurney. “Afterward, you can visit their booths for further conversation, or you can connect with some of these speakers at the IMTS+ AfterWords Stage, which is an informal Q&A setting.”

Each day, the IMTS+ Main Stage also features two live recorded shows: “IMTS Today” at 8:30 a.m. and “IMTS Unwind” at 4 p.m. Hosted by correspondent Marley Kayden, the shows feature interviews with industry trailblazers and offer highlights of the day. Beyond the keynotes and live shows, the IMTS+ Main Stage offers a full schedule of presenters appearing throughout the day. Find them all at IMTS.com/Stages (view Main Stage schedule).

Stages Throughout the Show

Engage with speakers and industry insiders in three other stage venues:

• IMTS+ AfterWords Stage (booth #338000), located in the front of the South Building, is where visitors can interact directly with speakers, many from the IMTS+ Main Stage, with open Q&A and conversation (view the schedule).
• Formnext Stage (booth #433010), located at the entrance to the West Building in the Additive Manufacturing Sector, features talks about adopting industrial AM into your production process, applications, market trends, as well as entrepreneurship and business models (view the schedule).
• SPS – Smart Production Solutions Stage (booth #236008), located in the North Building in the Automation Sector, delivers insights from experts and technologists on implementing a range of automation solutions ranging from ideation to production (view the schedule).

Smart Manufacturing Showcase (booth #236800), presented by AMT and SME, emphasizes adoption and implementation of digital technologies. Visionary leaders and industry experts deliver more than 20 presentations (view the schedule) covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data management, workforce development, and more. All are geared for small to mid-sized businesses looking to solve technology challenges.

IMTS+ Creators Lounge (booth #338600) in the South Building provides the opportunity to carry on a conversation with your favorite creators, including Drew Crowe, Nikki Gonzales, Chris Luecke, Jim Mayer, Amy Seymour, and Meaghan Ziemba (view sessions).

Continue your IMTS 2024 journey by registering, booking your hotel room through Global Housing Solutions, reading through IMTS.com, and creating a Show Planner account to map out your visit and add exhibitors, presentations, and attractions you’d like to see and speakers you’d like to hear.