IMTS 2026 Reshapes Show Floor to Accelerate Additive Adoption
By Michelle Edmonson, CEM, Vice President, Exhibitions, AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and operates IMTS - The International Manufacturing Technology Show IMTS continues to lead manufacturing innovation with a bold new floor plan for 2026.
IMTS continues to lead manufacturing innovation with a bold new floor plan for 2026. To meet evolving industry needs, the South Building will feature both the Metal Removal Sector and the Additive Manufacturing Sector — powered by Formnext — highlighting the essential role of additive in the future of manufacturing.
“IMTS offers manufacturers a dynamic platform to share technologies and insights, fostering innovative solutions to complex production challenges. Combining additive and subtractive technologies reflects a natural progression toward a more integrated, systems-based approach to manufacturing,” says Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “Showcasing subtractive machining, metal AM, and hybrid solutions together will inspire visitors to find new ways to grow their markets, boost capacity or lower costs.”
IMTS 2026 runs from Sept. 14-19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, and 1+ million square feet of exhibit space is already booked. More than 85% of the booth space capacity is filled. Visitors can discover a wide range of ways to integrate metal and polymer additive manufacturing — from prototyping, tooling, and workholding to actual part production and connecting with leading AM service providers.
Purposely Curated to Accelerate Innovation
Relocating the Additive Manufacturing Sector to the South Building, will help accelerate adoption of AM technology by creating intentional intercepts – even for those manufacturers where AM isn’t top of mind. The move also aligns with end-user needs, as AM parts require post-processing operations to machine features, tap threads, surface finish, and remove build plates, as well as automation for accelerated production.
EOS will return to exhibit at IMTS 2026, Sept. 14-19, McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill. Source: AMT
“AM adoption continues to become more integral in manufacturing organizations, and this is reflected with the AM Sector moving to the South Building at IMTS,” says Patrick Boyd, marketing director at EOS, an IMTS exhibitor and leading global provider of AM technologies. “Rather than viewing AM as a competing or replacement process, more manufacturers now understand that AM is a complementary technology to deliver solutions, fill production gaps, find efficiencies and accelerate innovation. AM wholly strengthens manufacturing, and the move to the South Building validates this.”
Chart Your Course to IMTS 2026
We are thrilled to share our IMTS 2026 vision and invite you to make plans now to attend the Western Hemisphere’s largest manufacturing solution showcase. IMTS 2026 will take place Sept. 14-19, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
A limited amount of exhibit space remains for IMTS 2026. To learn more, visit IMTS.com/exhibitor.