Achieve the Impossible at IMTS 2026
Greatness begins with a plan, and St. Francis of Assisi offers a simple one: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly, you are doing the impossible.”
This spirit defines the manufacturing technology community – people who regularly take on Herculean challenges like producing 251,995 precision parts in 81 days, leveraging metal additive manufacturing at production scale, or starting a job shop during a pandemic.
To celebrate these achievements and spark inspiration for the future, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show has chosen the theme “Achieve the Impossible” for its 2026 edition, taking place Sept. 14-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Stories of grit, genius, and grandeur are featured in the IMTS Community section of the IMTS website and on IMTS+.
Above all, IMTS is a place to break out of your daily bubble and open your mind to great possibilities. Emerging technologies discussed at past shows – like AI and digital twins – are now widely accessible, proving how today’s impossible becomes tomorrow’s reality.
Start With What’s Necessary
A successful IMTS visit begins with a solid plan. With the show just over a year away, now is the time to prepare. Veteran attendees recommend the following strategies:
Target solutions for specific projects.
Assign team members to specific tasks and regroup daily.
Be a learn-it-all. Learn and listen to as many people as you can.
Use the Show Planner to schedule appointments, bookmark exhibitors, and organize collateral.
Ask about show specials.
Structure your time; be cognizant of walking time between locations.
Leave at least one unstructured day for unexpected discoveries; you don’t know what you don’t know, and you never know whom you will meet.
Actively network – answers often come from spontaneous conversations.
Seek intergenerational wisdom; if you’re 45 and want to find out what the next 20 years of your career could look like, talk to someone who is 65.
Treat the experience like a working vacation – join meetups, happy hours, and dinners.
Bring a large team – just one great solution can justify the trip.
Exhibitor Planning: Break Down the Impossible
For exhibitors, the scale of IMTS can seem daunting. To help, IMTS will host the Exhibitor Workshop on Jan. 27-29, 2026, at McCormick Place. The newly expanded three-day workshop includes tracks for marketing, operations, and executive leadership, a first-timers program, interactive sessions, roundtables, and expert-led discussions. Attendees gain insights from AMT staff, marketing professionals, and seasoned exhibitors eager to share their knowledge.
Whether you’re attending or exhibiting, success at IMTS begins with taking that first step. Start planning today to achieve the impossible in 2026.
To read the rest of the Sales & Marketing Issue of MT Magazine, click here.
