2025’s Thought-Provoking Manufacturing Conferences and Expos

Trade shows are an important resource for manufacturers in Indiana and southwestern Michigan. These events offer a chance to see new technologies, learn from industry experts, and connect with suppliers and peers. For manufacturers in the Midwest, where innovation is rooted in practicality, trade shows provide a chance to see emerging trends in action and explore solutions that drive efficiency, quality, and competitiveness.

Here are some key ones to check out:

IPC APEX Expo

When: 3/18/2025 to 3/20/2025
Where: Anaheim, CA
Event Details: IPC APEX Expo is North America’s leading event for electronics manufacturing. It brings together experts in PCB design, fabrication, assembly, and testing. Attendees can explore the latest advancements in automation, materials, and component reliability, with a focus on smart factory trends and workforce development.
Website: https://www.ipcapexexpo.org/

American Manufacturing Summit

When: 3/19/2025 to 3/20/2025
Where: Chicago, IL
Event Details: Discover the insights and innovations shaping the future of manufacturing. Industry leaders convene to explore best practices in process optimization, smart factory deployment, and supply chain resilience.
Website: https://manusummit.com/

ProMat 2025

When: 3/17/2025 to 3/20/2025
Where: Chicago, IL
Event Details: ProMat is the leading trade show for material handling, logistics, and supply chain automation. From robotics and warehouse software to AI-enabled distribution systems, this event showcases the tools driving faster, smarter operations.
Website: https://www.promatshow.com/

AMUG Conference (Additive Manufacturing Users Group)

When: 3/30/2025 to 4/3/2025
Where: Chicago, IL
Event Details: The AMUG Conference connects users of industrial 3D printing technologies to share insights, applications, and technical expertise. The agenda includes workshops, keynotes, and hands-on sessions across sectors like aerospace, automotive, and medical manufacturing.
Website: https://www.amug.com/

Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference (ASMC)

When: 5/5/2025 to 5/8/2025
Where: Albany, NY
Event Details: ASMC is a key event for semiconductor process and operations professionals. With a technical focus on yield improvement, factory automation, and sustainable chip manufacturing, it attracts engineers and executives driving the next wave of microelectronics.
Website: https://www.semi.org/en/connect/events/advanced-semiconductor-manufacturing-conference-asmc

Automate 2025

When: 5/12/2025 to 5/15/2025
Where: Detroit, MI
Event Details: Automate is North America’s largest showcase of robotics, machine vision, motion control, and AI. From live demos to solution-focused sessions, the event helps manufacturers integrate smarter automation into their operations.
Website: https://www.automateshow.com/

ICRA 2025 (IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation)

When: 5/19/2025 to 5/23/2025
Where: Atlanta, GA
Event Details: ICRA is a premier conference for robotics researchers and advanced manufacturers. It features cutting-edge developments in automation, human-machine collaboration, and applied AI, offering real-world insight for innovation-focused teams.
Website: https://2025.ieee-icra.org/

Connected Manufacturing Forum

When: 6/23/2025 to 6/24/2025
Where: St. Louis, MO
Event Details: This event brings together operations leaders from top U.S. manufacturers to explore real-world digital transformation strategies. Sessions include IIoT implementation, predictive maintenance, and workforce integration.
Website: https://connectedmanufacturing.wbresearch.com/

Sensors Converge

When: 6/24/2025 to 6/26/2025
Where: Santa Clara, CA
Event Details: Sensors Converge focuses on sensor technologies, embedded systems, and edge AI. With strong ties to industrial IoT and smart manufacturing, it’s ideal for manufacturers exploring innovation in data-driven operations.
Website: https://www.sensorsconverge.com/

FABTECH 2025

When: 9/8/2025 to 9/11/2025
Where: Chicago, IL
Event Details: FABTECH is North America’s largest event for metal forming, welding, and finishing. It features product launches, demos, and training sessions across automation, fabrication, and smart manufacturing technologies.
Website: https://www.fabtechexpo.com/

International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS)

When: 9/8/2025 to 9/13/2025
Where: Chicago, IL
Event Details: IMTS is the largest industrial manufacturing trade show in North America. It brings together innovators in CNC, robotics, additive manufacturing, and digital workflows to showcase the tools shaping the factory of the future.
Website: https://www.imts.com/

The Assembly Show

When: 10/28/2025 to 10/30/2025
Where: Rosemont, IL
Event Details: A leading trade event focused on assembly technology, equipment, and systems. It brings together suppliers, end-users, and engineers to explore the latest in fastening, adhesives, automation, and assembly line efficiency.
Website: https://www.assemblymag.com/the-assembly-show

American Food Manufacturing Summit

When: 11/4/2025 to 11/5/2025
Where: Chicago, IL
Event Details: A must-attend event for professionals in food production. Topics include automation, safety standards, packaging technologies, and regulatory compliance.
Website: https://www.foodmanufacturingsummit.com/

Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHWEST (HOUSTEX)

When: 11/4/2025 to 11/6/2025
Where: Dallas, TX
Event Details: A three-day expo featuring top-tier manufacturing tools, metrology equipment, machine automation, and advanced industrial solutions. It’s a prime venue for networking with OEMs and suppliers.
Website: https://southwest.mtseries.com/

Defense Manufacturing Conference (DMC)

When: 11/17/2025 to 11/20/2025
Where: Orlando, FL
Event Details: The flagship forum for defense manufacturing professionals in the U.S. It covers advanced materials, precision fabrication, policy impacts, and ties between industry and government.
Website: https://www.dmcmeeting.com/

Productronica

When: 11/18/2025 to 11/21/2025
Where: Munich, Germany
Event Details: One of the world’s top trade fairs for electronics manufacturing. Key themes include PCB assembly, automation, and electronics innovation.
Website: http://www.productronica.com

Humanoids Summit

When: 12/11/2025 to 12/12/2025
Where: Mountain View, CA (Computer History Museum)
Event Details: A global summit focused on humanoid robotics, embodied AI, and real-world applications. This event brings together researchers, engineers, and industry leaders to explore the future of robotics in manufacturing and beyond.
Website: https://humanoidssummit.com/