Automate 2024 Recap: A strong homecoming

Automate Show hasn't been in Chicago since 2019 and a lot has changed since then. The main themes of the show haven't, though: It's about improving #automation and #manufacturing and giving #engineers the tools they need to do their jobs better. Automate, which is run by the A3 - Association for Advancing Automation , has always done a great job of emphasizing that theme. The event, which used to run every two years, has seamlessly shifted to being an annual event and successfully utilized McCormick Place in Chicago, providing visitors great showcases and education sessions. Word is they're going to take the North and South halls when they return in 2026. I can't wait to see what the showcase will be like then.

My recap highlights many of the themes here and I don't necessarily want to repeat myself. I will say Automate remains one of my favorite events and one I look forward to regardless of location. The fact it was a home game for me this year made it even better (more for travel purposes) and also because I got to see and meet a lot of great people. Some were old friends and some are people I'll be working with in the future.

As some know, CFE Media was acquired by WTWH Media LLC on May 1, which was just a few days before the event. So on top of dealing with the headache and stress of keeping everything coordinated on my side, we had to deal with the massive change of working with a whole new company. WTWH stands for "Willing to Work Harder" and that was certainly the case as we were ramping up with everything happening in the background.

The good news is our new colleagues brought us into the fold and I met several of them during Automate. I'd encountered several people in the past during other shows so I was familiar with a few, but I also got to meet several people whom I look forward to working with in the future.

#Manufacturing has gone through some turbulence the last few years, but the general outlook from the people I talked with and heard has been positive. Interact Analysis , one of our content partners, indicated general optimism during their Monday presentation, which had Blake Griffin , Tim Dawson and Ash Sharma share valuable insights. I also had a great video conversation with Blake the next day about some additional insights. Apart from our hometown team, the IA group was out in force during the event and it was great seeing them again. Can't wait to learn the insights from them as well as great market analysts like Brianna Jackson and Vanessa L. in the coming weeks and months.

I also had great video interview discussions during Automate with Martin Buena-Franco, MBA from The Raymond Corporation , Alex Chausovsky from Bundy Group and Brandon Teachman from Vision Control & Automation during Automate and I appreciated their insights and willingness to share them with me. You can learn about their insights along with other interviews my colleagues did during Automate, which was our most coordinated effort to date.

Click here to see our video roundup.

Other highlights included the happy hour at the Beckhoff Automation USA booth, which is always a good time. I've enjoyed our relationship from a content standpoint, but just in general. I also enjoyed the Balluff Americas bourbon tasting afterward. Got to meet a fellow Bohemian in Frank Jakubec and Moravian in Lubos Brzobohaty , which is always a treat. IYKYK. And the view from the window didn't hurt, either.

I also got to display my modest skills as a video game player. As some know, I have been a speedrunner and competitor for many years, most notably in Super Mario Bros. 3 Randomizer, where I am a three-time live event champion from 2021 to 2023 and am looking to run it back again in October 2024. I also have our main tournament starting this weekend, where I am the #1 seed. No pressure.

During Automate, it wasn't quite that intense. I had some fun with the Duck Hunt-style game with the barcode scanners at the Cognex Corporation booth. I also enjoyed the arcade game at the Olis Robotics booth where I guided a robot arm 2,000 miles away in Washington. It took some time to get the timing down to delayed reaction and the arcade joystick, but I was able to take the top spot on Tuesday, which was nice. Shoutout to Anokhi Shah for putting up with me while my speedrunning brain took over and for the hat.

So what's next? In terms of events, we have Marketing to Engineers? in early June, which I might do a recap of sorts on. Beyond that, it seems like event season will be in low gear until the Fall with IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show in September, which is another home game for us. That could well change between now and then, but when it does happen, you'll be the first to know. See you soon!