2 days ago
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the owner and producer of IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, has partnered with the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) to strengthen and advance the manufacturing technology community. Together, they will co-produce IMTS ELEVATE, powered by AMT and WiM, a half-day conference and networking reception debuting at IMTS 2026, September 14-19, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The event aims to bring together professionals from all sectors of manufacturing technology, including engineers, technicians, executives, educators, and entrepreneurs.
“This partnership is a great example of how AMT and the Women in Manufacturing Association can unite some of the brightest minds in manufacturing to share ideas, spark collaboration, grow leaders, and enhance representation and workforce development within the industry,” said Bonnie T. Gurney, vice president of strategic partnerships and industry relations at AMT.
ELEVATE is open to manufacturing professionals nationwide, with a special focus on Chicago’s manufacturing community and the more than 86,000 visitors IMTS attracts—from global manufacturers to exhibitors—who attend to experience the show firsthand and build meaningful connections with innovators, peers, and emerging leaders. The program builds on the success of IMTS 2022 and 2024 events that highlighted women in manufacturing, featuring discussions on leadership, innovation, and the growing influence of women in the manufacturing technology sector.
“We are thrilled to partner with AMT to bring ELEVATE to life at IMTS 2026,” said Allison Roberts Grealis, president and founder of WiM. “This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to supporting and advancing all women in the manufacturing technology community. By uniting professionals from every corner of the industry, ELEVATE will spark meaningful conversations, foster new connections, and empower attendees to drive innovation and positive change within their organizations and across the sector.”
Highlights of the event include opening remarks from WiM and AMT leaders, an inspiring keynote on resilience and authentic leadership, and a panel featuring women driving transformation across engineering, operations, and manufacturing technology. A fireside chat between Grealis and a prominent industry leader will explore career pivots and the future of women in advanced manufacturing. The event will conclude with closing remarks and a networking reception to connect attendees and continue the dialogue. A full speaker list will be announced in spring 2026.
“I'm a mechanical engineer by trade, and I love listening to powerful women who can articulate what it means to have diversity in their organizations,” said Susan Ipri-Brown, founder of Empowerment Levers Consulting, former engineering educator, and former president of ASME, who attended IMTS 2024. “It’s inspiring and reminds us of the value of the work everyone is doing and how it permeates organizations.”
The IMTS ELEVATE Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., followed by an exclusive on-site networking reception from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at McCormick Place. Registration is now open.
For more information, visit IMTS.com/ELEVATE.
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