The 32nd annual International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2018, put on by The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT), was a record setter. For 2018, IMTS had 129,415 people registered, offered 1,424,232 square/feet of exhibit space, included 2,123 booths and 2,563 exhibiting companies.
IMTS allowed those in the industry to network with exhibitors, find out about new products, and see where manufacturing technology is heading. Using all four buildings of McCormick Place, in Chicago, Illinois, the show truly had something for everyone in the industry.
“Connectivity, the digital transformation of manufacturing, automation, additive manufacturing and a strong economy drove record numbers at IMTS 2018,” said Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions and Business Development, AMT. “Digitization collided with a robust manufacturing industry to create our most dynamic show ever.”
HANNOVER MESSE USA (with four co-located shows: Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives USA; Surface Technology USA; ComVac USA; and Industrial Supply USA) had 510 exhibitors, as well as a Solutions Theater, that hosted 60 learning sessions.
“HANNOVER MESSE USA and IMTS bridge the gap between Silicon Valley technology and main street manufacturing. People find technologies here that change the spaces we work in,” said Douglas K. Woods, President, AMT.
IMTS also featured a conference component that offered many sessions presented by industry experts and attended by 2,500 visitors.
Further, a Smartforce Student Summit had 23,000 registrants and gave students the chance to experience different jobs available in manufacturing.
“The national conversation around STEM education has had a positive influence on our ability to attract more schools to the Student Summit,” said Greg Jones, Vice President of Smartforce Development, AMT. “Students engage with the people who are in those manufacturing jobs right now, as well as see the technology and equipment they would use on the job. Technology is making manufacturing careers cool again.”
