Last verified August 15, 2026. IMTS 2026—the International Manufacturing Technology Show—runs September 14–19, 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Because exhibit hours differ by building, visitors should plan by hall and sector rather than treating the show as one continuous floor.
This guide covers registration status, official building hours, floor plans, show-planning tools, hotel guidance and a practical process for comparing manufacturing suppliers.
Ready to work from source-labeled records? Explore the IMTS 2026 exhibitor list or build an attendee-focused shortlist with the IMTS 2026 buyer list.
IMTS 2026 Quick Facts
- Dates: September 14–19, 2026
- Venue: McCormick Place Convention Center
- Address: 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616
- East Building, Level 3: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- West Building, Level 3: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- North and South Buildings, Level 3: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Official registration: IMTS 2026 registration page
What Is IMTS?
IMTS is a major manufacturing technology event for machining, automation, additive manufacturing, inspection, tooling, software, controls, robotics and connected production. It brings equipment builders, integrators, distributors, manufacturers, engineers, educators and operations teams into one venue for six days of demonstrations and technical conversations.
The highest-value use of IMTS is direct comparison. Visitors can evaluate how competing systems handle similar parts, materials, tolerances and production constraints, then discuss implementation, training and service with technical staff.
IMTS 2026 Registration
The official registration page listed an early individual rate of $65 and a group rate of $50 per person for groups of five or more before August 1, 2026. That early period has ended, so use the live checkout for the current price. The official page also lists complimentary international registration; verify eligibility and current terms during registration.
Conference registration is managed through the same registration account but may require adding specific programs. Review the education and conference options before finalizing the badge.
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IMTS Floor Plans, Sectors and Show Planner
McCormick Place is large enough that an unplanned route can cost hours. Use the official floor plans and IMTS Show Planner to group targets by building, level and sector. The Show Planner is available to registered visitors and can be used to save exhibitors and build a personal schedule.
A practical shortlist should include:
- Company and booth number
- Building, level and sector
- Technology or process to evaluate
- Target part, material or use case
- Technical and commercial questions
- Assigned team member and follow-up owner
How to Compare Exhibitors
- Start with the process constraint. Define the problem—cycle time, accuracy, labor, scrap, changeover, inspection or capacity—before looking at equipment.
- Use the same questions at comparable booths. Consistent inputs make the post-show evaluation useful.
- Ask about the full implementation. Include software, tooling, fixtures, training, integration, service and lead time.
- Capture proof. Record demonstration results, limitations and the exact configuration shown.
- Schedule follow-up while context is fresh. Agree on samples, technical review, site visit or quotation steps.
Hotels and Transportation
IMTS uses an official housing program and publishes a hotel comparison with room rates, amenities and shuttle indicators. Book through official channels and confirm cancellation terms. Some downtown hotels require more travel time than the map suggests during peak arrival periods.
When planning each day, account for travel to McCormick Place, security and badge pickup, movement between buildings and the different opening hours. Put early East or West Building appointments before North and South open at 10:00 AM.
IMTS Planning Checklist
- Register and confirm badge delivery or pickup instructions.
- Download floor plans and save priority exhibitors.
- Separate must-see equipment demonstrations from optional discovery.
- Book technical meetings before supplier calendars fill.
- Assign halls across the team and schedule a daily notes review.
- Prepare a standard comparison sheet for cost, performance, integration and service.
- Check the official agenda again immediately before travel.
Using IMTS for B2B Prospecting
Segment companies by their role in the manufacturing stack: machine tools, tooling, metrology, automation, software, additive, workholding, fluids, safety and services. Prioritize accounts based on ICP fit and a specific reason to meet. Lensmor can help turn public exhibitor information into a reviewable account list and verified decision-maker contacts, while keeping human validation before outreach.
How to Use the Six IMTS Days
Six show days create room for deeper technical comparison, but only if the schedule has a purpose. Use the first days for priority suppliers and demonstrations, the middle days for alternatives and adjacent technologies, and the final days for second conversations and unresolved questions. Do not postpone every important meeting until Friday or Saturday because specialist availability can change.
- Days 1–2: fixed meetings, flagship demonstrations and the highest-priority sectors.
- Days 3–4: competitor comparisons, software and integration questions, education and discovery.
- Days 5–6: return visits, commercial clarification, samples and agreed follow-up actions.
Build an IMTS Equipment Comparison Sheet
Machine specifications rarely tell the whole implementation story. Use the same fields for every solution so the post-show team can compare like with like.
- Target parts, materials and tolerances
- Expected cycle time and unattended-running assumptions
- Required tooling, fixturing, probing and inspection
- Automation and robot compatibility
- Controls, programming, data and cybersecurity requirements
- Utilities, footprint, foundations and environmental needs
- Operator, maintenance and programmer training
- Delivery, commissioning, warranty and regional service
- Total installed cost and the evidence needed for ROI approval
Education and Demonstrations
Use educational sessions to answer cross-vendor questions such as workforce development, automation strategy, additive qualification, inspection, digital manufacturing and implementation risk. Use booth demonstrations for application-specific proof. A strong itinerary pairs the two: first learn the decision framework, then test it against suppliers on the floor.
When a demonstration is relevant, record the actual configuration and conditions. Ask whether published performance includes loading, tool changes, inspection and changeover. If the show part is not representative, request a later test using your material, geometry or data.
Follow-Up Within 48 Hours
- Merge team notes and remove duplicate contacts.
- Rank suppliers against the agreed technical and commercial criteria.
- Send the requested files, drawings or sample requirements through approved channels.
- Schedule application reviews before calendars lose momentum.
- Document why lower-ranked options were rejected so the same research is not repeated.
IMTS 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
When is IMTS 2026?
IMTS 2026 runs September 14–19, 2026.
Where is IMTS 2026?
The show is at McCormick Place Convention Center, 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago.
What time does IMTS open?
East and West Building Level 3 open to visitors at 9:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM. North and South Building Level 3 open at 10:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM.
How much does IMTS registration cost?
The early individual and group rates expired August 1. Check the official registration checkout for the current visitor price. International registration is listed as complimentary, subject to current eligibility.
Where can I find the IMTS floor plan?
Use the official IMTS floor-plan pages and Show Planner available from the event website.
Should I book hotels through a third party?
Use the official housing information first so you can compare event rates, cancellation terms and any listed shuttle service.
Shirley An
Shirley An is a Growth Marketing specialist at Lensmor, writing about trade shows, event prospecting, and B2B growth. Lensmor helps teams identify ICP-matched exhibitors and likely attendees, and find verified decision-maker contacts for outreach before the event.
