2027 Manufacturing Trade Shows Focus on AI and Automation
A slate of major U.S. manufacturing conferences for 2027 highlights industry trends like AI, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
Multiple manufacturing-focused trade shows are scheduled for 2027 across the U.S., emphasizing AI, automation, and sector-specific innovation. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and automation technologies is driving new manufacturing projects and shaping event agendas. The American Manufacturing Summit is scheduled for March 16-17 in Chicago, Illinois. It focuses on technology trends and strategic insights for improving manufacturing efficiency while addressing industry challenges. Key themes for the summit include AI, smart manufacturing, automation, operational excellence, supply chain modernization, and Industry 4.0.
Major automation and robotics events draw large national and international attendance
Automate is scheduled for May 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Billed as North America’s largest robotics and automation event, it is expected to draw over 50,000 attendees. Organizers anticipate more than 1,000 exhibitors and over 200 speakers.
The Robotics Summit & Expo is scheduled for June 2-3 in Boston, Massachusetts. It brings together more than 6,000 robotics developers and engineers. Attendees can explore humanoids, quadrupeds, autonomous pickers, and other next-generation robotics.
Specialized summits address defense, medtech, and steel industry advancements
Events are targeting niche sectors with focused exhibitions and networking. The schedule includes several key gatherings.
| Event | Dates | Location | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defense Manufacturing & Materials Expo | May 13-14 | Dallas, Texas | Defense and materials |
| MD&M West | Feb. 9-11 | Anaheim, California | Medtech, automation, design, plastics, packaging |
| NASCC: The Steel Conference | April 14-16 | Denver, Colorado | Design and construction of steel buildings and bridges |
| MD&M East | May 19-20 | New York, New York | Medical device manufacturing, automation, design, packaging |
MD&M West is co-located with the Sustainable Manufacturing Expo. Organizers describe MD&M East as the East Coast’s largest and most comprehensive design and manufacturing event. NASCC is billed as the premier educational and networking event for everyone involved in the design and construction of steel buildings and bridges.
Global and cross-industry forums reinforce manufacturing’s role in innovation
Summits attracting international participants will feature executives from major corporations to discuss investment and emerging technologies. The SelectUSA Investment Summit is scheduled for May 2-5 in National Harbor, Maryland and is hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Earlier in 2026, it drew more than 5,500 participants from across 100 countries.
The North American Manufacturing Excellence Summit is scheduled for April 19-21 in Denver, Colorado. Its speakers include executives from Toyota, Dow, Target, Ford, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, PepsiCo, and Microsoft.
Emerging technologies are central to future production
Conferences on AI and advanced semiconductors reflect the industry’s focus on next-generation production technologies. The Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference is scheduled for June 14-17 in Albany, New York. It is hosted by Semi, a California-based industry association.
The Connected Manufacturing Forum is scheduled for June 15-16 in St. Louis, Missouri. Other notable events include the AAIA SciTech Forum, scheduled for Jan. 11-15 in Orlando, Florida, which attracts about 6,000 attendees from 46 countries. The Military Additive Manufacturing Summit & Technology Showcase, the 11th annual event, is scheduled for Jan. 26-28 in Tampa, Florida. U.S. manufacturing activity has been increasing over the past year. The 2027 AAIA SciTech Forum will focus on resilience in a changing world as its central theme.
