US largest manufacturing show sets record in 2018 for most exhibit space

CHICAGO – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, opened this morning to record numbers: 1,424,232 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 2,123 booths representing 2,563 exhibiting companies. Exhibitors have brought in more than 55 million lbs. of machinery on 4,465 trucks with eight machines weighing more than 100,000 lbs. As of Sept. 7th, the number of pre-registered visitors exceeded 113,000, which is also on pace for a possible record. IMTS 2018 runs from Sept. 10 – 15 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

“IMTS 2018 is setting records because manufacturing technology has grown exponentially since last show,” says Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS. “The rapid growth of digital technology, automation and additive manufacturing are especially driving interest. The booming manufacturing economy means visitors have capital and are ready to invest.”

Previous historical highs were 1,415,848 sq. ft. of exhibit space at IMTS 2000, 2,407 exhibiting companies at IMTS 2016, 1,475 booths at IMTS 2014 and 121,764 visitors at IMTS 1998.

Featured Speakers at IMTS 2018

Monday, September 10, 2018 Opening Day

Opening the show – Doug Woods, President of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology spoke on The Power of Collaboration for Innovation.  Dr. Jochen Koeckler, Chairman of the Managing Board, Deutsch Messe AG spoke on HANNOVER MESSE USA coming to the U.S.

Featured speakers throughout the week at IMTS 2018 on the Grand Concourse Stage:

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 – 9:30 am – 9:50 am

Subject:  Rolling Out the Red Carpet or America’s Young Innovators

Speakers:
Tracy Frost, Director, U.S. Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program
Mark Burg, Executive Producer, Science + Innovation Awards inspired by Manufacturing USA 

Wednesday, September 12, 2018 – 9:30 am – 9:50 am

Importance of Manufacturing in Illinois

Speaker: Governor Bruce Rauner

Peter Eelman, Exhibitions & Business Development, AMT

Larry Turner, President, Hannvoer Fairs USA

Thursday, September 13, 2018 – 9:30 am – 9:50 am

Subject:  Manufacturing USA ^® : Enabling the Digital Revolution

Speakers:

Mike Molnar, Director, Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office
Caralynn Nowinski Collens, M.D., CEO, UI Labs

Friday, September 14, 2018 – 9:30 am – 9:50 am

Subject:  How to Increase Manufacturing by 40% Without Tarriffs

Speakers:

Harry Moser, President, Reshoring Initiative

“IMTS offers many options for learning, experiencing innovative technologies and creating personal connections. The show allows you to see the future of manufacturing today. You can register on-site all week and be a part of this record breaking IMTS 2018,” says Eelman.