Event shifts from June to September and co-locates with IMTS in Chicago 

SME and AMT, The Association For Manufacturing Technology, today announced that they have rescheduled the Smart Manufacturing Experience (SMX) to September 14-16 at McCormick Place in Chicago, co-located with IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show. SMX 2020, originally planned for June 2-4 in Pittsburgh, will focus the manufacturing community’s attention on the technologies and innovations of smart manufacturing, or Industry 4.0. The decision comes after careful consideration and consulting with advisors and event partners and was taken in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognize the importance of smart manufacturing to the future of our industry and know how important it is that innovators in this emerging space can convene to share knowledge,” said Sandra L. Bouckley, FSME, P.Eng., executive director and CEO, SME. “We are thrilled that our strong partnership with AMT provided us with the opportunity to co-locate SMX with IMTS, and we look forward to connecting the brightest minds and latest technologies to help advance smart manufacturing.”

Event producers expect more than 100 sponsors and in excess of 1500 attendees, conference delegates, speakers, and industry staff at the Smart Manufacturing Experience.

“The global manufacturing community will be convened together in Chicago for IMTS 2020 in September,” said Douglas Woods, president, AMT. “Smart manufacturing and the technologies that enable it will be critical to not only manufacturing’s financial recovery but that of the whole economy and presenting SMX alongside IMTS 2020 in Chicago demonstrates the commitment of both AMT and SME to support manufacturing through every challenge and opportunity.”

The global smart manufacturing market was valued at $183.62 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $293.92 billion between 2020 and 2025. Because of this anticipated leap, this is an opportune time for all manufacturers to plan, invest, and implement smart technology into their business. They must also learn how to adapt and be flexible when regional, national, or global circumstances interrupt operations – and smart manufacturing technology can greatly assist this kind of contingency planning.

For more information about the Smart Manufacturing Experience, visit smartmanufacturingexperience.com.