As the trade show industry continues to be held in limbo in states that lack clarity around if and when shows could reopen, one of the biggest shows in the U.S. – IMTS 2020 (International Manufacturing Technology Show) – was forced to cancel its September show at McCormick Place.

In Illinois, trade shows were slated to open in the state’s final phase, which would require the availability of a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus or a highly effective treatment protocol.

“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,” said Peter R. Eelman, vice president & CXO at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS.

He added, “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.”

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, according to IMTS officials.  

IMTS will offer two comprehensive digital programs, IMTS Network and IMTS Spark, over the next several months to assist exhibitors and the manufacturing community. 

While acknowledging that an in-person show can never be replaced with a digital event, Eelman said IMTS feels a responsibility to provide exhibitors and visitors a way to connect.

“In the near future, we will launch the IMTS Network and IMTS Spark to provide the IMTS exhibitors and visitors with connections, networking opportunities and technical knowledge,” Eelman said. 

The IMTS Network will livestream a wide variety of features and human-interest stories from the Manufacturing Technology sector.

IMTS Spark, a new program, will be a comprehensive digital platform that connects IMTS exhibitors and visitors, provides educational and networking opportunities and offers first rate experiences, will launch in the near future. 

IMTS had already taken action to help manufacturers address supply chain issues created by COVID-19.

The IMTS.com/supplychain microsite — ReBuilding the Supply Chain — shows OEMs how to rethink their current operations, how they can reengage with suppliers and secure trading partners and how they can reestablish connections for a more localized industrial base.

It includes a brief history of why the supply chain disruption occurred, and IMTS has mapped out future content to show steps that can be taken to secure the supply chain moving forward.

IMTS will return to McCormick Place Sept. 13-18, 2022