The manufacturing industry thrives when stakeholders of all kinds, from pioneers and builders to vendors and operators, have the opportunity to forge connections, draw inspiration and devise solutions to common concerns. In this spirit, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024 returns to Chicago in September.
IMTS 2024 Show Facts
DATES
Sept. 9-14, 2024
HOURS (central time)
East Building, Level 2, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
East Building, Level 3, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
West Building, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
North Building, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
South Building, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
LOCATION
McCormick Place
2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL, 60616
IMTS, originating in Cleveland in 1927, is one of the largest manufacturing technology trade shows in North America, showcasing the latest industrial machinery and technology. Once known as the “International Machine Tool Show,” the event has evolved to reflect manufacturing’s expanding purview to include everything from welding and materials engineering to automation and software.
This is the second edition of IMTS after the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated its cancellation in 2020, before the show returned in 2022. IMTS 2024 will feature 1,500 booths, including more than 65 first-time exhibitors offering solutions in everything from haptic feedback to improve remote robot operation to digital training and quality control software.
IMTS will occupy all four buildings at McCormick Place: North, South, East and West, adding up to more than 1.2 million sq ft (111,000 sq m) of exhibit space. Each building will feature specific product sectors including:
East Building, Level 3
Fabricating & LasersMachine Components / Cleaning / EnvironmentalQuality AssuranceSoftware
East Building, Level 2
Smartforce Student Summit
North Building, Level 3
Abrasive Machining / Sawing / FinishingAutomationGear Generation
South Building, Level 3
Metal Removal
West Building, Level 3
Additive ManufacturingTooling & Workholding Systems
This year’s keynote, “Women in Motion: Manufacturing a Path to the Moon,” will be delivered by Sharon Cobb, Ph.D., NASA Space Launch System Program, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, who will speak about female engineers, scientists and technicians who send humanity “to the Moon and beyond” with NASA’s Artemis campaign. Cobb, the associate program manager for the Space Launch System rocket, discusses the ways that technology for the Moon improves life on Earth, how cutting-edge manufacturing techniques are changing the way NASA builds rockets, and the women that are blazing the path.
As the manufacturing realm continues to evolve, IMTS 2024 remains a nexus for industry stakeholders to converge, collaborate and chart the course for a transformative future.
SME at IMTS
SME, a longtime partner and supporter of the show, is planning several key functions for IMTS 2024. At this year’s event, SME will be located in three areas:
The Smart Manufacturing Showcase (Booth 236800)SME Education + Workforce (Booth 121600)Tooling U-SME (Booth 431679)
The SME Media team also will be present throughout the show, conducting interviews, hosting podcasts and reporting on live events.
Tooling U-SME, which delivers competency-based learning and development solutions to the manufacturing community, will offer live demonstrations of its Virtual Lab. It also will unveil training and workforce development solutions tailored for manufacturers. Booth visitors will have a chance to win a VR headset.
Moreover, IMTS 2024 marks an expanded partnership between SME and AMT, epitomized by the Smartforce Student Summit, featuring SME Workforce, the SME Education Foundation, SME Membership, SME Student Chapters and Tooling U-SME. Greg Jones, former vice president of Smartforce development at AMT, is now director of strategic programs and partners at SME and will continue to produce the Smartforce Student Summit.
SME executives including Chief Workforce Development Officer Jeannine Kunz, Vice President of the SME Education Foundation Rob Luce and Vice President of Membership Sheronda Carr will moderate panel discussions in the Smartforce Amphitheater on topics such as attracting, developing and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce, the SME Manufacturing Imperative–Workforce Pipeline Challenge, Tooling U-SME certifications and more.
