IMTS 2016 Highest Number of Exhibitors in History / Third Largest Show for Registration and Exhibit Space

The numbers are in for IMTS 2016, the 31st edition of the show, which ran from September 12 – 17 at Chicago’s McCormick Place!

• 115,612 registrants, 3rd largest ever
• 1,370,256 net sq. ft. of exhibit space, 3rd largest ever
• 2,407 exhibiting companies, highest number ever
• 76 million pounds heavier, weight of McCormick Place after exhibitors moved in.

“IMTS has grown not only in size, but in the overall scope of manufacturing,” says Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and manages IMTS. “There are more compelling reasons for people to attend. Whether they come to research new technology, evaluate vendors before purchasing, find solutions or connect with the leaders in the manufacturing industry, there is simply no substitute for attending IMTS.”

Though Eelman stresses that IMTS is about much more than sheer numbers. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the visitors, exhibitors, and vendors who contributed to the success and quality of IMTS, and made this event safe, productive and forward-thinking.”

Student Summit Attracts a Record Number of Attendees

During the show, a record number of more than 17,000 students, parents and educators visited the Smartforce Student Summit, which offered nine challenges, each designed for students to discover and use technologies utilized in advanced manufacturing, including CAD/CAM software, robotics, 3D printing, machining, tooling, metrology, automation and welding.
“Students were able to do so much more than observe and interact. They could actually use the technology in a way that gave them a real-world preview of the industry and various manufacturing careers,” says Greg Jones, Vice President, Smartforce Development, AMT.

In the “Build It!” area, experienced teams of mechatronics students (those with mechanical and electronic skills) worked with waterjet experts from WARDJet to plan and assemble a high-end waterjet system. WARDJet donated two waterjets valued at more than $200,000 to contest winners including the Missouri University of Science and Technology machining lab.

IMTS 2018 Dates and First Deadlines

IMTS 2018 will be held at McCormick Place, September 10 – 15, 2018.
Space application forms are available at IMTS.com/exhibitor. October 12, 2016, is the submission deadline to be included in the initial space assignment.