George Mayfield

IMTS is a full week of walking the show floor, checking out new technology, talking with manufacturers, and somehow trying to fit 12 hours of activity into an 8-hour day.

But some of the best conversations at events like this happen after the booths close.

🎤 Tonight, September 16, I’ll be heading to MFG Mic Drop Karaoke Night at Midnight Brando’s Speakeasy in Chicago. The event starts at 8:00 p.m.

Best part? It’s free with an IMTS badge, but an RSVP is required.

And the sponsor list is stacked:

• Structify
• CADDi
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
• Omegacool
• G28.io
• Mavens of Manufacturing
• DMG MORI USA
• Chortek LLP

I already know what I’m singing. 😎🎶

What about you?

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗠𝗧𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆. 👀

The South Building opens at 10:00 AM CT, and if you’re not in Chicago, you’re already missing a lot.

Sessions You Can’t Miss

Physical AI in Manufacturing
How AI is moving beyond analytics and into real-world production.

Digital Transformation in 5-Axis Machining
AI, automation, predictive maintenance, and smarter manufacturing systems.

Beyond Traditional Solvent Cleaning
A look at dense-phase CO₂ technologies and new possibilities for industrial cleaning.

And that’s only part of what’s happening across the show.

Live technology. New ideas. Real manufacturing challenges. Conversations about where the industry is headed.

If you’re not here, you’re going to have to hear about it from everyone who is.

IMTS runs through September 19.

Day 2 is happening now. Make the most of it.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸-𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗠𝗧𝗦.

I’ll be signing copies of Frameworks for Manufacturing Excellence at 11:00 a.m. at the
MakingChips studio inside the AME/Hennig booth. Booth #339133. South Hall. 3rd floor.

If you’re at the show today, come by, say hello, and let’s talk about what it takes to build a better manufacturing operation. Copies of the book will be available while supplies last.

Even if you missed the morning rush, you can still catch the tail end of Day 1 at IMTS 2026 — tomorrow is where it gets even better.

Booths are open until 5–6 p.m. CT today, with the first wave of talks, demos, and networking already rolling on the floor.

If you’re onsite: look for me with my backpack of AMFGA stickers, pins, and swag. Come shake my hand and grab something for your toolbox, laptop, or water bottle.

Not in Chicago yet? You can still register for the rest of the week. IMTS runs Sept 14–19 at McCormick Place with 2,000+ exhibitors, nine conference tracks, and a new Industrial AI Arena.

👉 Register:
https://www.imts.com/

I’m here all week with copies of Frameworks for Manufacturing Excellence — let’s talk strategy, operations, and building a manufacturing organization that scales without losing its soul.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept 15): I’ll be on the MakingChips podcast live from IMTS, talking what’s actually moving the needle in American manufacturing, how leaders are using AI and automation to win, and what it really takes to build excellence on the shop floor.
Follow MakingChips so you don’t miss it: https://makingchips.com/

MakingChips Podcast With the MakingChips podcast, you will be equipped and inspired to succeed in the lucrative world of manufacturing.

IMTS starts next week, and I want to make sure we connect if you’ll be in Chicago.

I’ll be at the MakingChips studio inside the AME/Hennig booth: Booth #339133, South Hall, 3rd floor.

I’ll also be signing copies of Frameworks for Manufacturing Excellence on Tuesday, September 15, at 11:00 a.m. Copies will be available while supplies last.

If you know which day you’ll be at IMTS, comment below. I will send you a reminder that day so you know where to find me.

I keep hearing the same thing about IMTS: you cannot see everything.

That sounds about right. A show this size is full of new equipment, automation, software, tooling, and conversations happening in every direction.

So I’m asking the people who know it best: what should be on my list?

What booth, technology, presentation, or company should I make a point to see? And if you can’t attend, what should I look for on your behalf?

I’ll be at the show all week and based at the MakingChips studio inside the AME/Hennig booth, #339133.

One week until IMTS 2026.

I’ll be in Chicago for the full week, spending time on the show floor and with the MakingChips podcast team at the AME/Hennig booth, Booth #339133 in the South Hall on the 3rd floor.

If you’re coming, let me know what day you’ll be there. I send you a quick reminder that day so we can make sure to connect.

See you in Chicago.

One of the things I’m looking forward to most at IMTS 2026 is sharing 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 with people who live this work every day.

Manufacturing excellence isn’t a poster on the wall or a software package. It is the work of building systems, developing people, and improving how the operation runs every day.

I’ll be at the MakingChips studio inside the AME/Hennig booth, Booth #339133, South Hall, 3rd floor. I’ll also be signing books on Tuesday, September 15, at 11:00 a.m.

Copies will be available while supplies last. If you’ll be at IMTS, comment with the day you plan to attend, and we’ll send you a reminder that day.

Will you be at IMTS 2026 in Chicago this September?

I will be there, and I’d love to know if you will too.

If you can’t make it, what can I help you find while I’m on the ground?
• What trends should I pay attention to?
• What technology, process, or solution should I be looking for?
• What questions would you want asked on your behalf?

I’ll be walking the show, spending time with the MakingChips folks, and talking with manufacturers all week. Drop a comment or send me a message with what would be useful to your operation.

Every industry has an event people say, “You just have to experience it.”

For manufacturing, IMTS has been that event in almost every conversation Iʼve had.

In just a few weeks, Iʼll finally get to see what makes it so special—not just the technology, but the people, ideas, and conversations shaping the future of manufacturing.

For those of you whoʼve been to IMTS before:
Whatʼs one thing every first-time attendee should make a point to experience?
- A booth or company doing something impressive
- A presentation or session worth attending
- A favorite spot to grab lunch or recharge between meetings

Iʼd love your recommendations before I head to Chicago. See you at IMTS!