Record-Breaking Automate 2024 Event Highlights Industry’s Rapid Growth and Innovation

May 22, 2024

The largest robotics and automation trade show in North America, Automate, achieved unprecedented success last week with record-breaking attendance and exhibitor participation. 42,895 registrants from around the globe convened at Chicago’s McCormick Place from May 6-9, 2024, to explore the latest advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence and automation technologies.

Automate 2024, hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), marked a historic milestone with 867 exhibitors—up 13% from previous year—spanning over 320,000 square feet of exhibit space.

“The tremendous attendance and engagement at Automate 2024 will help stimulate increased adoption of robotics and automation technologies,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3.  “Driven by labor shortages, companies throughout the world now seek automation solutions to remain competitive and grow their businesses. Automate has emerged as the one show that offers valuable solutions and real-world expertise designed for users in every industry and application area.”

When asked about the exhibitor experience, first time exhibitor Maik Peters, CEO of Pitco Engineering LLC, added “We were expecting some leads, but we’re surprised by how many quality leads we got at this show—and how fast it happened. Everyone told us Monday was going to be a slow day. But Monday and Tuesday were the best days. And even on the last day, we were still collecting quality leads. It was a blast!”

Economic Impact and Future Events

Notably, Automate 2024 brought a significant economic impact to Chicago, generating an estimated $49.8 million in local spending, according to Choose Chicago.

Looking ahead, Automate 2025 will take place in Detroit, Michigan, from May 12-15, 2025. Booth space for this highly anticipated event is already over 80% reserved. Companies interested in reserving space or exploring sponsorship opportunities can click here.

Automate Rewind

For those unable to attend Automate 2024, Automate Rewind is now available. This digital library will feature recordings of keynote sessions, theater talks, Automate LIVE interviews, and exhibitor spotlights, ensuring that the wealth of knowledge and innovation shared at the event remains accessible. Automate Rewind will be available at www.automateshow.com.

Key Highlights from Automate 2024

  • Women’s Empowerment Forum: Diane Farrell, Deputy Undersecretary of International Trade, kicked off the inaugural Women’s Empowerment Forum, which featured leading female executives in automation and robotics, including Marina Bill of ABB Robotics, Adi Leviatan of 3M, and Rashmi Misra of Analog Devices. The keynote address by MIT Professor Daniela Rus highlighted the future of robotics and automation.
  • Innovation Awards: The event introduced the inaugural Innovation awards, and the addition of an Innovation Stage. This year’s winners were AMDECM and GrayMatter Robotics in the categories of hardware, software, and systems respectively.
  • Expanded Focus on Education: Automate 2024 celebrated educators and students alike with expanded Student Day activities, a dedicated Educator Day and the inaugural A3 Educator of the Year Award, presented to Danny Murphy, an assistant professor of mechatronics at Central Virginia Community College.
  • Engelberger Awards Ceremony: The prestigious Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards dinner honored Joe Gemma for leadership and Dr. Reymond Clavel and Marc-Olivier Demaurex for their pioneering work on the Delta robot.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Gescan Announces Darrell Jensen as New Humboldt Branch Manager

    Gescan Announces Darrell Jensen as New Humboldt Branch Manager

    Gescan is thrilled to welcome Darrell Jensen to the team as their new Humboldt Branch Manager! Darrell brings over 25 years of experience in single-family and multi-family construction, business growth and development across Western Canada. His commitment to people, safety and service excellence aligns strongly with Gescan’s values and we are so excited to have… Read More…

  • ECS Electrical Cable Supply Announces Justine Geboers as New Branch Manager in Richmond, B.C

    ECS Electrical Cable Supply Announces Justine Geboers as New Branch Manager in Richmond, B.C

    Please join ECS Electrical Cable Supply in welcoming Justine Geboers to the team! As the new Branch Manager in Richmond, B.C., Justine brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across the electrical and industrial sectors. Known for her strong leadership and dedication to excellence, she’ll be overseeing daily sales, operations, and team performance. ECS… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Rockwell Automation: Boost Productivity & Uptime with a Unified Control Platform

    Rockwell Automation: Boost Productivity & Uptime with a Unified Control Platform

    In today’s manufacturing landscape, reliable production is non-negotiable. So, Rockwell Automation created a unified power control platform to help solve the problems companies face when relying on legacy and fragmented process and power control systems. By combining process, power and motor control in one architecture, you get a connected, intelligent system that simplifies operations, delivers real-time decision-making… Read More…

  • Canada’s Potash Powerhouse: How EB Horsman & Siemens Supports Growth in a Critical Industry

    Canada’s Potash Powerhouse: How EB Horsman & Siemens Supports Growth in a Critical Industry

    Potash is a key part of Canada’s resource economy—and Saskatchewan leads the world in its production. As demand for global food production increases, potash remains essential in supporting agriculture, and Canada continues to be a trusted source of this critical mineral. With long-term growth forecasted in this sector, there’s a growing need for reliable, scalable,… Read More…