Automate is where the industry comes together to see what’s next. It’s also where real relationships begin. For attendees who want to make the most of their time onsite, networking isn’t something to squeeze in between sessions; it’s part of the experience.
Long-lasting connections rarely happen by accident. The best conversations at Automate often happen between sessions, at demos, or while comparing notes with people solving similar challenges. A little intention, curiosity, and a willingness to turn a quick conversation into something more meaningful can set you up for networking success on the show floor.
What makes Automate a unique opportunity to network:
- Thousands of automation professionals in one place
- A wide mix of roles: engineers, integrators, manufacturers, executives, startups, students, researchers, and solution providers
- Access to people you normally couldn’t meet in a single week
- Opportunities to converse about practical peer learning and problem solving, not just sales
Set your goals before you arrive
Take a minute to think about what you want out of the show. Instead of a vague goal, try something tangible like:
- Meet 5 potential partners
- Learn from manufacturers using AI, vision, or robotics
- Connect with integrators in a specific industry
- Build relationships with startups
- Recruit talent
- Find distributors or suppliers
A quick look at Automate’s Map Your Show tool can help, too. Keep track of the keynotes, education sessions, and networking events that matter most, so you can move through the show with purpose instead of drifting from one thing to the next.
Use keynotes and education sessions as conversation starters
One of the easiest ways to break the ice at Automate is to use the program itself. Keynotes and education sessions give everyone something in common, which takes the pressure off of making the perfect introduction.
A simple “What did you think of that?” can open the door to a real exchange and give you a sense of what someone cares about, what they are working on, and where the conversation might go next.
Here are a few ways to turn the program into real networking opportunities:
- Attend sessions with participation in mind
- Ask thoughtful questions
- Stay after sessions
- Introduce yourself to speakers
- Connect with attendees discussing similar topics
Instead of just sitting and listening, treat sessions as networking opportunities.
- Spend time checking out emerging technology
- Humanoid robotics
- AI-powered automation
- Machine vision
- Autonomous systems
These topics naturally attract curious, future-focused attendees.
Make time for networking events
Some of the strongest connections happen when the setting is a little more relaxed. Don’t miss out on Automate’s variety of sessions, keynotes, and networking opportunities. They give attendees a chance to step out of the formal rhythm of the show and have more natural, unhurried conversations.
Automate Networking Party
Sponsored by Schneider Electric, connect with thousands of automation professionals at the official opening reception on Monday, June 22. Premium food, drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere make this the easiest place to start real conversations with industry leaders.
Requires a Fee: $45 (includes food and drink)
Keynote speakers
Daily keynote programming brings the industry together around big ideas in robotics, AI, and automation. Attendance is included with your badge, so you can easily strike up conversations before and after each talk with people who share your interests.
Education Pavilion
Presented by A3 NextGen, the Education Pavilion (free with show registration) brings together students, educators, emerging professionals, and companies looking to connect with them. Whether you’re early in your career or looking to meet the next generation of talent, the Education Pavilion is a great place to strike up conversations about where the industry is headed and who’s helping to shape it.
Humanoid Robot Pavilion
Brand new to Automate 2026 and free with badge registration, this dedicated space puts some of the most talked-about technology in the industry right in front of you. See how humanoid robots are moving from research labs into real-world applications, and use it as a jumping-off point for conversations about where the technology is headed and what it means for the work people in your space are doing.
Attend the Automate Conference
For those who want to go deeper, the Automate Conference offers a classroom-style setting with experts focusing on implementing, optimizing, and scaling automation in practice. The sessions are designed with case-driven strategies you can use in your own operation, and the smaller format makes it easier to ask real questions with the people in the room.
Additional registration and fees apply.
These moments are where introductions feel a bit easier, follow-up questions come more naturally, and new relationships start to take shape. Go in ready to meet people, but not ready to rush them.
Treat the exhibit hall as a networking opportunity
The exhibit hall is often where the most practical conversations happen. It’s a place to see what’s new, ask better questions, and meet people who are working with the same technology day to day.
A booth visit doesn’t have to be transactional. In fact, the best ones usually are not. Ask about a real challenge, a specific use case, or how a solution performs in the field. Those conversations are more interesting, more memorable, and far more likely to lead somewhere useful.
- Lead with curiosity:
- “What brought you to Automate this year?”
- “What technologies are you evaluating?”
- “What’s been most interesting so far?”
- “What challenges are you focusing on right now?”
- Focus on shared problems:
- Labor shortages
- Throughput
- Integration challenges
- Workforce development
- ROI pressure
- Scalability
- Safety
- AI readiness
Find the full list of exhibitors here.
Follow up while it still feels fresh
The show may end, but the networking shouldn’t. The strongest connections tend to come from what happens next: a thoughtful follow-up, a quick recap, or a simple note that reminds someone where you met and what you talked about.
Keep it short and specific. Mention the conversation, make the connection clear, and leave the door open. That is often all it takes to turn a good meeting into a lasting one.
Leave with more than contacts
The people who get the most out of Automate are not necessarily the ones who meet the most people. The best networkers are the ones who know how to spot a good conversation, make room for it, and keep going after the show.
Not registered yet? Secure your spot at Automate 2026 and start building the connections that will move your work forward.
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