McLean, Va. (March 9, 2026) — AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the owner and producer of IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, has joined forces with the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) to strengthen and advance the manufacturing technology community. Together, the organizations will coproduce IMTS ELEVATE, powered by AMT and WiM, a half-day conference and networking reception debuting at IMTS 2026, Sept. 14-19, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The event is designed to unite professionals across every sector of manufacturing technology, including engineers, technicians, executives, educators, and entrepreneurs.
“This partnership is a great example of how AMT and the Women in Manufacturing Association can bring together some of the brightest minds in manufacturing to share ideas, spark collaboration, grow leaders, and enhance representation and workforce development within the industry,” says Bonnie T. Gurney, vice president, strategic partnerships and industry relations, AMT.
ELEVATE is open to manufacturing professionals nationwide, with a special emphasis on Chicago’s manufacturing community and the more than 86,000 visitors IMTS attracts, from global manufacturers to exhibitors, who come to experience the show firsthand and build meaningful connections with innovators, peers, and emerging leaders. The program builds on successful IMTS 2022 and 2024 events that highlighted women in manufacturing, featuring conversations on leadership, innovation, and the growing influence of women across the manufacturing technology sector.
“We are thrilled to partner with AMT to bring ELEVATE to life at IMTS 2026,” says Allison Roberts Grealis, president and founder of WiM. “This collaboration enhances our shared commitment to supporting and advancing all women in the manufacturing technology community. By uniting professionals from every corner of the industry, ELEVATE will spark meaningful conversations, foster new connections, and empower attendees to drive innovation and positive change within their organizations and across the sector.”
Highlights include opening remarks from WiM and AMT leaders, an inspiring keynote on resilience and authentic leadership, and a panel of women driving transformation across engineering, operations, and manufacturing technology. During a fireside chat, Grealis and a prominent industry leader will explore career pivots and the future of women in advanced manufacturing. The event concludes with closing remarks and a networking reception to connect attendees and continue the dialogue. A full speaker list will be released in spring 2026.
“I'm a mechanical engineer by trade, and I love listening to powerful women who can articulate what it means to have diversity in their organizations,” says IMTS 2024 attendee Susan Ipri-Brown, founder of Empowerment Levers Consulting, former engineering educator, and a former president of ASME. “It’s inspiring and reminds us of all of the value of the work that everybody’s doing and how it permeates organizations.”
The IMTS ELEVATE Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, from 1-4:30 p.m., followed by an exclusive on-site networking reception from 4:30-6 p.m. at McCormick Place. Registration is now open. Learn more, sign up, or explore sponsorships at IMTS.com/ELEVATE.
To see what’s driving the future of advanced manufacturing at IMTS 2026, start exploring at IMTS.com.
Media Resources
Image: IMTS_ELEVATE_Breakfast.jpg
Image Caption: Attendees pose for photos with the 2024 ELEVATE keynote speaker, Dr. Sharon Cobb, Associate Program Manager, Space Launch System, NASA.
IMTS 2026 Video
Video Name: Achieve the Impossible
Video Link: https://youtu.be/oI0G7inAGrM
Video Caption: Every two years, the manufacturing technology industry comes together at IMTS to redefine and transform the future by achieving the impossible.
IMTS Photos and Logos
About IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show
IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show is where the creators, builders, sellers, and drivers of manufacturing technology come to connect and achieve the impossible. Attendees discover advanced manufacturing solutions that include innovations in CNC machining, automation, robotics, additive, software, AI, and transformative digital technologies that are driving the industry forward. Owned and produced by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, IMTS is the largest and most defining trade event for manufacturing technology in the Western Hemisphere. With more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, the show attracts visitors from more than 110 countries. IMTS 2024 had 89,020 registrants, featured 1,609 exhibiting companies, and included a Student Summit that attracted 14,713 visitors. IMTS 2026 will be held Sept. 14-19, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Discover more at IMTS.com and connect with IMTS on social.
About AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology – the advanced machinery, devices, and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive. Located in McLean, Virginia, near the nation’s capital, AMT acts as the industry’s voice to accelerate the pace of innovation, increase global competitiveness, and develop manufacturing’s advanced workforce of tomorrow. With extensive expertise in industry data and market intelligence, as well as a full complement of international business operations, AMT offers its members an unparalleled level of support. AMT also produces IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the premier manufacturing technology event in the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at AMTonline.org.
About Women in Manufacturing
The Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) is a global trade association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. It provides year-round support to more than 35,000 individual members representing more than 3,000 manufacturing companies from 50 U.S. states and 75 countries. WiM encompasses manufacturers of all types and welcomes individuals from every job function—from production to the C-suite. Membership is available to anyone working within or with the manufacturing sector. Learn more at www.womeninmanufacturing.org.
