NextGen Manufacturing AI Summit – Downers Grove

November 12

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Real
Applications.
Real
Manufacturers.
Real
Impact.

Details

Location

: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
: 2111 Butterfield Rd
Downers Grove, IL 60515 United States + Google Map

Contact: outreach@imec.org

Cost of Event: $125.00 – $175.00

Event Tagsadvanced manufacturing technology, ai, manufacturing, technology

Registrations

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.

Manufacturer Attendee Ticket

This ticket is intended for manufacturers interested in attending.

$ 125.00

150 available

Ecosystem Attendee Ticket

This ticket is intended for manufacturing ecosystem partners interested in attending.

$ 175.00

50 available

Real Applications. Real Manufacturers. Real Impact.

Join fellow manufacturing leaders at the 2026 NextGen Manufacturing AI Summit to discover real AI applications delivering measurable results in Illinois today.

You will hear honest, first-hand accounts from manufacturers as they share how they successfully applied technology to solve challenges in your operations.

Whether you are taking the first step or enhancing your operations, you will leave with the connections and guidance needed to lead your team toward a more productive future.

*This event is intended for manufacturers. Non-manufacturers may participate by becoming sponsors.

Learn more and register: https://www.imec.org/nextgen-manufacturing-ai-summit/

More Upcoming Events

View All Events

SEE
WASTE
CLEARLY.

May 21, 2026: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Webinars

SEE WASTE CLEARLY: Using IIoT to Reveal and Remove the 8 Wastes

Join us for this webinar to learn how IIoT enables smarter decision-making, clearer insights, and faster improvement across the shop floor.

Learn More

Attract
Develop
Retain.

August 25, 2026: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Webinars

BlueForge Workforce Summit

Gain practical strategies to attract, develop, and retain a stronger manufacturing workforce, from building effective supervisors to developing and retaining skilled employees.

Learn More

NAVIGATING
INVISIBLE
BOUNDARIES.

September 8, 2026: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Webinars

NAVIGATING INVISIBLE BOUNDARIES: Enhancing Communication when Working Across the Globe

Join us for a preview of this interactive workshop to uncover how social norms and business customs influence collaboration worldwide. You’ll learn practical strategies to adapt your communication and leadership style, helping you build stronger, more respectful working relationships across borders.

Learn More

IMA
OSHA
ALLIANCE.

September 9, 2026: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Partner Events
Webinars

IMA/OSHA Alliance Kickoff Meeting

Connect with industry peers, hear directly from OSHA representatives and workplace safety attorneys, gain valuable compliance and regulatory insights, and discover practical strategies to create safer workplaces across the food manufacturing industry.

Learn More

Improve
Process
Efficiencies.

September 15, 2026: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

In-Person Events

Lean Manufacturing Overview with Simulation – Lisle

This interactive workshop combines comprehensive classroom instruction with simulation of a production facility. The basic concepts of Lean manufacturing and the tools and methodology necessary to implement “lean” on the shop floor are demonstrated.

Learn More

Digital
Advertising
Strategies.

September 15, 2026: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Webinars

Manufacturing Growth: SEO, GEO & Digital Advertising Strategies That Drive Leads

The way manufacturers generate leads online is rapidly evolving. Traditional SEO is now only one piece to a larger puzzle as AI-driven search experiences, zero-click results, paid digital advertising, and platform-specific targeting continue to reshape how B2B buyers research products and services.

Learn More

DEVELOP
SKILLED
TALENT.

September 16, 2026: 8:30 am - 10:30 am

In-Person Events

Apprenticeship Roundtable – Marion

Join our roundtable discussion as local employers share their experiences, success stories, and best practices for developing skilled talent through apprenticeship programs.

Learn More

ATTRACT
RETAIN
REWARD.

September 16, 2026: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Partner Events
Webinars

Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking

As you prepare for 2027 budgeting and workforce planning, do you know how your compensation and benefits packages compare to other manufacturers across Illinois? Join us for an exclusive review of the findings and discover how your peers are planning to attract, retain, and reward top talent in an increasingly competitive labor market.

Learn More

BUILD
TRAIN
RETAIN.

September 16, 2026: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

In-Person Events

BUILD. TRAIN. RETAIN. Food & Beverage Manufacturers Workshop – Wood River

This interactive workshop introduces food industry manufacturers to the Registered Apprenticeship model and provides a practical roadmap for launching or expanding a program.

Learn More

BEYOND
GENERIC
AI.

September 17, 2026: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Webinars

BEYOND GENERIC AI: Building a “Brand Brain” to Power Manufacturing Growth

Discover how building a customized "Brand Brain"—grounded in your own customers, offerings, and value drivers—enables manufacturers to leverage AI in ways that support growth, improve execution, and drive measurable business value without becoming another shiny object.

Learn More

DEVELOP
YOUR
LEADERS.

September 22, 2026
November 10, 2026

In-Person Events

DEVELOP YOUR LEADERS: Well-Rounded Leadership Foundation 8-Week Training Program – Chicago (Spanish Version)

An 8-week program equipping new supervisors with key skills to lead teams, improve communication, and achieve organizational goals in spanish!

Learn More

ANNUAL
WORKFORCE
SUMMIT.

October 1, 2026: 7:30 am - 2:30 pm

In-Person Events
Partner Events

Fifth Annual Workforce Summit – Carterville

The Summit will cover topics on current issues that stakeholders and employers are facing in today’s workforce environment.

Learn More

MAKERS
BUS
TOUR.

October 2, 2026
October 9, 2026

Partner Events

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 Makers on the Move Bus Tour

Designed to showcase modern manufacturing which is high-tech, clean, diverse, and sustainable, the Makers on the Move bus will visit manufacturing facilities, colleges, and high schools across the state to highlight the innovative manufacturing sector and amazing job opportunities that are available today.

Learn More

Manage
People
Effectively.

October 13, 2026: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Webinars

MANAGE PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: TWI Job Relations for Leaders

Learn how Job Relations can help you create stronger relationships with employees and a more productive work environment.

Learn More

CUT
COSTS
FAST.

October 15, 2026: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Webinars

Cut Costs Fast with Smarter Compressed Air

This session takes a practical, educational look at one of the most common and costly inefficiencies in industrial facilities: compressed air systems.

Learn More

ISO
14001
EVOLUTION.

October 22, 2026: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Webinars

ISO 14001 EVOLUTION: Understanding the New Revision and What It Means for Manufacturers

With the release of the revised ISO 14001 standard, now is the time to understand what has changed and how it may impact your business.

Learn More

Practice
Makes
Improvement.

November 3, 2026: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Webinars

PRACTICE MAKES IMPROVEMENT: Why Kata Matters at Every Level in Your Organization

In this webinar, you’ll discover why Kata is a mindset and method that drives continuous improvement from the front line to executive leadership.

Learn More

Real
Applications.
Real
Manufacturers.
Real
Impact.

November 12, 2026: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

In-Person Events