IMTS 2020 Has Been Cancelled

AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology announced that it is cancelling the 2020 edition of the biennial International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) that was scheduled for September 14-19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. According to AMT, which owns and produces IMTS, its board of directors and staff had been closely monitoring the impact COVID-19 has had on its members, show exhibitors and visitors, and the industry. It says IMTS is being canceled because of health and safety requirements imposed by the state of Illinois for holding conventions, which include the availability of a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus or a highly effective treatment protocol. This is the first time the show has been canceled since World War II.

“The show has been held uninterrupted for more than 80 years, but now the global coronavirus health crisis requires the cancellation of what would have been the 34th edition of IMTS for the health and safety of our exhibitors, audiences and local business community,” says Peter R. Eelman, AMT vice president and chief exhibitions officer. “Our organization and its members take immense pride in presenting one of the world’s largest manufacturing technology events, one that dates back to 1927. The cancellation is especially poignant because the show was poised to offer an unmatched breadth and depth of resources to help industry rethink, reestablish and reengage with supply chains disrupted by COVID-19.”

As a result, IMTS will offer two comprehensive digital programs — IMTS Network and IMTS Spark — to assist exhibitors and visitors with connections, networking opportunities and technical knowledge. The IMTS Network will livestream a wide variety of feature and human-interest stories from the manufacturing community. IMTS Spark will be a comprehensive digital platform that connects IMTS exhibitors and visitors, providing educational and networking opportunities.

Visitors who have registered for IMTS 2020 have the choice to receive a refund on registration or transfer their registration to a tax-deductible donation to Miles For Manufacturing, where every dollar is given to programs that prepare students for careers in manufacturing technology. Exhibitors will receive direct communications from IMTS. The show is scheduled to return to its normal rotation at McCormick Place September 13-18, 2022.