Automate Sets New Records at Chicago Event

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has announced the success of its Automate event, which took place in Chicago from June 22-25. The show drew a record-breaking number of attendees and exhibitors to McCormick Place, with over 50,000 registrants and 1,230 companies showcasing their latest technologies.

The event covered an impressive 425,000 square feet of floor space, featuring the latest innovations in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine vision, motion control, and industrial automation. The record-setting attendance reflects the growing demand for automation solutions across various industries as companies seek to improve productivity, address workforce challenges, strengthen supply chains, and remain competitive.

According to Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, Automate 2026 was ‘the strongest show we have ever had’ in terms of both size and quality. He noted that the event’s energy was palpable throughout McCormick Place, with keynotes packed throughout the week, product launches, live technology demonstrations, and programs focused on emerging professionals drawing strong participation.

The Latin America Networking event and Women’s Empowerment Forum were particularly well-attended, underscoring the industry’s growing focus on leadership, inclusion, and talent development. The conference program also reached a new high, with over 1,600 registrants participating in more than 140 sessions focused on industrial AI, robotics adoption, workforce transformation, U.S. competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and automation beyond traditional manufacturing.

One of the major draws at Automate was the Humanoid Robot Pavilion, sponsored by NVIDIA. This pavilion gave attendees a close look at humanoid robots and the enabling technologies behind them. The new forum also featured live demonstrations and discussions on the latest advancements in this field.

The Automate Startup Challenge saw early-stage robotics and automation companies competing for $10,000 and the title of Champion. Mbodi was named the winner for its platform that allows users to teach industrial robots new tasks through natural language and simple demonstrations.

Other notable highlights from the event include the Automate Innovation Awards, which recognized new products and technologies introduced in 2025. The winners were CeiliX InfinityCrane and SkyRunner in Automation Systems; Standard Bots’ Flux AI in Vision, AI, and Software; and Synapticon ACTILINK-JD featuring POSITRON Safety AI in Components, Hardware, and Enabling Technologies.

The Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards were also presented during the event, recognizing Hiroshi Fujiwara, Executive Director of the Japan Robot Association (JARA), and Robert Little, co-founder of ATI Industrial Automation, as this year’s winners.

Automate 2026 continued to expand its focus on education and workforce development through various programs aimed at students and educators. The Education Pavilion, A3 NextGen Theater, Student Challenge, A3 NextGen Student Tours, and programming focused on curriculum, career pathways, hiring, and workforce development all contributed to the event’s success.

For those unable to attend Automate 2026 in person, a digital library featuring recordings of keynote sessions, theater talks, interviews, and exhibitor spotlights is now available. This resource ensures that the wealth of knowledge shared at the event remains accessible.

The next installment of Automate will take place in Las Vegas from May 10-13, 2027, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Companies interested in reserving exhibit space or exploring sponsorship opportunities can contact the A3 sales team for more information.