You’ve been to Automate before. You’ve seen the robots. Walked the floor. Sat in sessions. Collected ideas. But this time is different.
In just the past year, Automation has made big strides, and it’s no longer about imagining what’s possible. Now it’s about making automation work inside your business. For many manufacturers, industrial digital transformation is already underway. The challenge now is connecting systems, scaling pilots, and delivering measurable value.
Automate 2026 is built for that shift. It’s bigger, more connected, and more focused on real-world implementation.
Here are eight ways to make your return visit count.
1. Rethink the Show Floor
Wandering takes up a lot of time. You need a plan.
Automate now spans two halls at McCormick Place. Each plays a different role.
- South Building: Proven systems, industrial hardware, established players
- North Building: AI, software, and emerging tech, including humanoids.
Use this to your advantage.
Start with your problem. Then map the solution across both halls. Hardware plus software. Machines plus data. That’s where real industrial digital transformation happens.
For a quick look at what’s new at this year’s Automate, check out this guide for returning attendees.
2. Escape “Pilot Purgatory”
You’ve likely tested automation already — a vision system here, a robot cell there, or maybe an AI pilot that never scaled. You’re not alone.
The challenge in 2026 isn’t awareness. It’s integration. At this year’s Automate, focus on what connects.
Visit the Integrated Solutions Center. Look for vendors solving what happens after install.
Ask about:
- System integration
- Data flow
- Interoperability
- Long-term support
Don’t just ask if it works. Ask how it fits into your existing systems and business model.
3. Rethink Humanoid Robots
They’re not science fiction anymore.
Humanoid robots are moving out of concept and into real-world pilots across industries. What you may have seen as experimental just a year or two ago is now being tested in production environments.
These systems are being explored as a response to labor shortages, repetitive tasks, and the need for more flexible automation.
The opportunity isn’t just what they can do. It’s where they fit.
Automate 2026 brings that shift into focus with the introduction of the Humanoid Robot Pavilion.
For a deeper dive, add the two-day Humanoid Robot Forum to your Automate registration. Join robotics leaders, engineers, and researchers to examine real-world development and deployment of humanoid robots.
4. Don’t Just Watch. Ask Better Questions.
You’ve seen demos before. This time, go deeper. Get specific. Exhibitors are here to engage in conversation, so take advantage.
Ask:
- How does it integrate with your existing warehouse and business systems?
- What are the safety certifications?
- What does uptime look like?
- What’s the total cost over time?
The goal is not to browse or to be impressed. It’s to understand where this fits into your operation.
5. Build a Smarter Itinerary
Don’t plan your day around company names. Plan around problems.
Check out the list of exhibitors here, and filter by product type or service. Focus on one or two key challenges you need to solve.
Then build your itinerary around them:
- Exhibitors solving that problem
- Conference sessions that go deeper
- Keynotes that help frame the bigger picture
The right sessions can help you connect the dots. And help you explain the opportunity when you’re back in the office.
6. Define ROI Before You Arrive
If you wait until after the show to think about what you hope to get out of the show, you’re too late. Set your goals now.
What do you need to walk away with?
Maybe it’s:
- Three viable solutions for a production bottleneck
- Two potential software or integration partners
- A clearer path for a stalled digital initiative
- As you move through the show, track what matters:
- Potential cost savings
- Impact on your supply chain
- Opportunities for predictive maintenance
- Implementation timelines
The value of Automate isn’t what you see. It’s what you can act on. It's a value that pays out over time.
7. Capture What You’ll Actually Use
It’s easy to leave with a stack of brochures and no clear next step. Be more intentional.
Document:
- Specific use cases
- Vendor comparisons
- Integration requirements
- Notes on scalability
Translate what you see into business impact:
- Faster decision-making
- Improved resilience
- Measurable performance gains
This is how digital initiatives move forward. Not with ideas. With clarity.
8. Learn from Those Who’ve Already Done It
Some of the most valuable insights won’t come from a booth. They’ll come from people.
Make time for:
- The Networking Party
- The Engelberger Awards
- Conversations on the show floor
Talk to teams that have already scaled automation. Ask what worked. Ask what didn’t. The fastest way out of pilot purgatory is learning from those already past it.
Make This Visit Count
The first time you attended Automate, it may have been all about discovery. This time, it’s about direction.
Automate 2026 brings together the technologies, people, and ideas shaping modern manufacturing. But the value comes from how you use it.
Come in with a plan. Focus on what connects. And leave with something you can move forward. That’s how you turn a return visit into real progress.
If you’re not already registered for the Automate 2026 show and conference, reserve your spot today and start planning for a productive experience.
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