IMTS 2016 opens for registration

International Registration and Visitor Housing for this year’s leading industrial manufacturing event, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, is now open. Manufacturing professionals across the globe will gather at Chicago’s McCormick Place, Sept. 12-17, 2016, seeking to explore the latest in manufacturing technologies and innovative manufacturing trends. More than 2,000 companies will exhibit at IMTS 2016, and we anticipate 120,000 registrants of buyers and sellers of machine tools, controls, computers, software, components, systems and processes.

International registration, which is complimentary for individuals that meet the international requirements for working in the manufacturing industry outside of the U.S., includes floor access to 1.3 million net square feet of exhibits. To add further value for international visitors, IMTS has teamed up with Hanover Fairs, USA (the U.S. subsidiary of Germany’s Deutsche Messe) to co-locate five shows that run concurrently with IMTS: Industrial Automation North America; Motion, Drive & Automation North America; Surface Technology North America; ComVac North America and Industrial Supply North America. Registration for any show provides access to all of them.

The IMTS and Hannover Fairs trade shows deliver an amazing breadth of current manufacturing and industrial production solutions, as well as embrace emerging technologies,” states Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions & Communications at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which produces IMTS. “Spending three days at the show enables visitors to find new solutions, envision what might be possible, and connect with the leaders in the manufacturing industry. There’s no substitute for experiencing these shows in-person — IMTS is a must-attend event.”

Visas and Letter of Invitation

Once registration has been completed, and submitted before August 18, 2016, registrants will receive an email confirmation, as well as a badge via postal mail. Attendees registered after August 18, 2016 can pick up badges on-site by showing their confirmation at Visitor Registration, located in every building of McCormick Place. Registrants are encouraged to begin the visa application process early, as it can take up to three months to receive a visa.

In addition to registration and in preparation for the visa application interview, visitors may request a letter of invitation from IMTS to expedite the visa process. The letter of invitation acts as a supporting document to be presented to the Consular Officer during the visa interview.

 “We recommend that international visitors request a letter of invitation well in advance of the show, four to six months to be safe,” says Eelman.

 Visit imts.com/intl/visa for additional information about visas and the letter of invitation.

Book Hotel Rooms Now

IMTS, in cooperation with Connections Housing (the only official housing provider) has opened its reserved housing block to visitors. IMTS specially contracts the lowest room rates during the event, guarantees your room and offers free shuttle service to and from McCormick Place for all hotels within the IMTS Hotel Block.

 “Do not wait to book your hotel room,” cautions Eelman. “Because of the size and popularity of IMTS, literally every hotel room in Chicago will be occupied. Even months before the show, you may not find a room downtown,” says Eelman.

Visit IMTS.com/intl to register and view the website in multiple-language options; visit IMTS.com/travel to book a hotel room and begin planning your IMTS 2016 experience. Check out this fun video with the “Top 10 Reasons you should book in the IMTS Hotel Block.”