English 
Русский International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2026
- Dates
- Venue
- McCormick Place
- Industry
- Machinery
- Official website
- www.imts.com
International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago from 14 September to 19 September 2026. North America's largest manufacturing technology trade show bringing together machining and automation suppliers.
What the fair covers
Industrial machinery and production equipment form the bulk of what is shown. North America's largest manufacturing technology trade show bringing together machining and automation suppliers. That shapes both the exhibitor mix and the questions worth preparing before you arrive.
Dates, venue and getting there
The fair runs from 14 September to 19 September 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago. It runs for 6 days, which is usually enough to cover several product areas without rushing. Chicago is a long-established trade fair city with a large lakefront convention venue and good domestic air connections. Public transport links the venue to the centre, and the city is a practical base for buyers covering the North American market.
Planning your visit
Machinery fairs justify the trip because equipment can be seen running. A machine on a stand tells you about cycle time, noise, footprint and build quality in a way that a specification sheet does not. Buyers usually come with a production requirement and compare how different suppliers propose to meet it. For International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), that means preparing ahead of the September dates and arriving with a target list of stands.
Language and interpreting support
Business is conducted in English, so translation is rarely the constraint for international visitors. Where local support still helps is in verifying suppliers, arranging inspections and handling logistics after the fair, which are practical rather than linguistic problems. An interpreter already working in Chicago saves further time simply by knowing the venue and how to move around it.
After the fair
Buying production equipment is a longer commitment than buying goods. Installation, operator training, spare parts and service response all affect the real cost of ownership, and they are easier to negotiate before the order than after it. Factory visits are common before committing, since seeing the manufacturer build the machine tells you more than seeing it on a stand.
Frequently asked questions
When and where does International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) take place?
It runs from 14 September to 19 September 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Confirm the dates against the organiser's official site before booking travel.
What is shown at the fair?
Industrial machinery and production equipment form the bulk of what is shown. North America's largest manufacturing technology trade show bringing together machining and automation suppliers.
How much time should I allow?
It runs for 6 days, which is usually enough to cover several product areas without rushing. Planning a route through the halls in advance makes a noticeable difference to how much you get done.
Will I need an interpreter?
Business is conducted in English, so translation is rarely the constraint for international visitors. Where local support still helps is in verifying suppliers, arranging inspections and handling logistics after the fair, which are practical rather than linguistic problems.
What happens after the fair?
Buying production equipment is a longer commitment than buying goods. Installation, operator training, spare parts and service response all affect the real cost of ownership, and they are easier to negotiate before the order than after it. Factory visits are common before committing, since seeing the manufacturer build the machine tells you more than seeing it on a stand.
Where do I find official information and registration?
The organiser's official site (www.imts.com) is the primary source for dates, visitor registration and the exhibitor list. Registering before you travel is worth doing, as it saves queueing at the counters on the first day.