Automate
Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation trade show, produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). It hosts 50,000+ attendees and 1,000+ exhibitors annually across robotics, AI, machine vision, and motion control, serving industrial buyers and technology vendors across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and energy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersDetroit, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Automate does
Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation trade show, produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), a non-profit industry trade association. The flagship event is a four-day annual trade show and conference that travels across major US convention cities — Detroit (2025), Chicago (2026), and Las Vegas (2027) — and draws over 50,000 attendees, 1,000+ exhibitors across roughly 450,000 square feet, and 200+ expert speakers. The core product surface comprises two layers: a free-to-attend show floor featuring live robotics, machine vision, motion control, and AI demonstrations, and a paid conference program offering classroom-style sessions, professional certifications (CVP-Basic, CVP-Advanced, CMCP), and networking. Supporting products include the Automate Mobile App, the Automate REWIND on-demand video platform, the Automate Innovation Awards, the NVIDIA-sponsored Humanoid Robot Pavilion, and the Automate Startup Challenge co-sponsored with Microsoft.
Revenue is generated through three primary streams: exhibitor booth fees (transaction-based, scaled to square footage with 33% growth committed for 2026), sponsorship packages (NVIDIA flagship, plus Microsoft, Schneider Electric, FANUC, Cognex, Intrinsic, Siemens, and others), and paid conference passes sold as add-ons to free show-floor registration. The customer base spans global industrial OEMs (Ford, GM, Toyota, Boeing, Caterpillar, Tesla), logistics giants (Amazon, DHL, FedEx, UPS), healthcare and consumer firms (Abbott, Pfizer, Walmart, Coca-Cola), and technology platforms (NVIDIA, Microsoft, Google, Intel). Go-to-market is event-driven, amplified through A3's content channels including the Automate Rewind YouTube series, the Automate Blog, press releases, and the #AUTOMATESHOW2027 social campaign, with earned media coverage from IFR and trade publications.
Strategically, Automate is scaling aggressively: attendance grew roughly 50% from 2023 to 2025 (35,000 to 45,000+), exhibitors committed to 33% more square footage for 2026, and the show relocated to the Las Vegas Convention Center for 2027 to accommodate further growth. The flagship NVIDIA partnership positions the event as the premier launch venue for humanoid robotics, while A3's underlying authority, proprietary certification programs, and decades-old Joseph F. Engelberger Awards provide durable structural advantages that independent competitors cannot easily replicate. No funding, M&A, or revenue figures are disclosed in the source data, consistent with A3's status as a non-profit trade association rather than a venture-backed commercial entity.
Automate firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Automate
- Legal name
- Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
- Website
- https://automateshow.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation trade show, produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). It hosts 50,000+ attendees and 1,000+ exhibitors annually across robotics, AI, machine vision, and motion control, serving industrial buyers and technology vendors across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and energy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Automate industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Trade Shows
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) & Hyperautomation Platforms (HDAEAKAF), Robotics, Motion & Actuation Components Retail (CRACAKAJ)
Keywords
Where Automate is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Detroit
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Automate business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Conference Passes: Paid conference sessions offering classroom-style education, certifications, and networking. Conference passes may be purchased or added to show registration.
- Exhibitor Booth Fees: Revenue from exhibitors renting booth space at the show. The 2025 show featured over 900 exhibitors, and 2026 committed to 33% more square footage.
- Sponsorship Packages: Sponsorship opportunities for exhibitors and partners including the Humanoid Robot Pavilion (sponsored by NVIDIA), Startup Challenge (Microsoft/NVIDIA), and other program sponsorships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free Show Floor Access |
| Subscription | Annual | Conference Pass (Add-on) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Automate product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation trade show and conference, produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). The event brings together over 1,000 exhibitors and 50,000+ attendees to showcase robotics, AI, machine vision, motion control, and industrial automation solutions, complemented by paid conference sessions, professional certification programs (CVP, CMCP), and the Automate Startup Challenge offering a $10,000 prize.
Product overview
Automate is a trade show and conference event produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). The core offering consists of the Automate Show (the largest robotics and automation trade show in North America featuring over 1,000 exhibitors across 450,000+ square feet) and the Automate Conference (classroom-style educational sessions with world-class experts). Supporting products include the Automate Mobile App for attendee navigation, the Automate Innovation Awards recognizing industry innovation, the Automate Startup Challenge offering a $10,000 prize for emerging companies, and professional certification programs including Certified Vision Professional (CVP) and Certified Motion Control Professional (CMCP). The Automate REWIND platform provides on-demand access to session recordings. The event travels annually across North American cities including Detroit (2025), Chicago (2026), and Las Vegas (2027).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Automate Startup Challenge: Competition where startups pitch automation, robotics, and AI companies for $10,000 prize
- Automate Innovation Awards
Products and services
- Automate Show North America's largest robotics and automation trade show featuring over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing world-leading automation solutions including AI, robotics, motion control, and machine vision systems. Free show floor access for attendees.
- Automate Conference Paid classroom-style educational conference featuring world-class experts and industry leaders discussing real applications, implementation strategies, and emerging trends in automation. Requires conference pass purchase.
- Certified Vision Professional (CVP) Program Professional certification program including CVP-Basic (3-day) and CVP-Advanced (5-day) training programs for machine vision expertise.
- Certified Motion Control Professional (CMCP) Program Professional certification program offering CMCP-Basic certification through high-quality core motion control training.
- Automate REWIND On-demand video platform providing access to Automate show session recordings, keynote recaps, and expert interviews from prior events via YouTube.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% increase in attendance from 2023 to 2025 (35,000 to 45,000+ registrants)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Automate
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Automate technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Automate partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- NVIDIAflagshipNVIDIA is sponsoring the Humanoid Robot Pavilion at Automate 2026, offering free-to-attend demos and presentations for humanoid robot exhibitors. NVIDIA is also co-sponsoring the Automate Startup Challenge. This partnership positions the show as a leading showcase for humanoid and AI-powered robotics.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft is co-sponsoring the Automate Startup Challenge along with NVIDIA, providing a $10,000 prize for winning startups in automation, robotics, and AI.
- Schneider ElectriccoreSchneider Electric is a prominent exhibitor and keynote speaker at Automate 2026, with executives presenting on AI, automation, and the human element in manufacturing.
- FANUC America CorporationcoreFANUC America is a major exhibitor and keynote speaker at Automate 2026, participating in the executive roundtable on the state of the automation industry.
- Cognex CorporationcoreCognex is a major exhibitor and keynote speaker at Automate 2026, contributing to discussions on machine vision and automation trends.
- Intrinsic (Alphabet-backed)coreIntrinsic (Alphabet's robotics software company) is a keynote speaker at Automate 2026, discussing AI and the future of robotics automation.
- Siemens Industry, Inc.coreSiemens is a major exhibitor at Automate 2026 with executives presenting on automation impact and industrial AI integration.
- Standard Bots CompanycoreStandard Bots is both an exhibitor and keynote speaker at Automate 2026, presenting on physical AI and robot learning through demonstration.
- Universal RobotscoreUniversal Robots is an exhibitor at Automate 2026, showcasing collaborative robotics solutions.
- Boston DynamicscoreBoston Dynamics is an exhibitor at Automate 2026, demonstrating advanced robotics solutions.
- EPSON RobotscoreEPSON Robots is a sponsor and exhibitor at Automate 2026, showcasing industrial robotics solutions.
- Yaskawa America, Inc.coreYaskawa America is a sponsor and exhibitor at Automate 2026, presenting robotics solutions.
- Intel CorporationcoreIntel is a sponsor and exhibitor at Automate 2026, showcasing computing solutions for automation.
- ABB Robotics LLCcoreABB Robotics is an exhibitor at Automate 2026, demonstrating industrial automation and robotics solutions.
- Beckhoff AutomationcoreBeckhoff Automation is an exhibitor at Automate 2026, showcasing automation and control technology.
- Festo CorporationcoreFesto Corporation is an exhibitor at Automate 2026, demonstrating automation components and systems.
- Rockwell AutomationcoreRockwell Automation (OTTO) is an exhibitor at Automate 2026, showcasing industrial automation solutions.
- International Federation of Robotics (IFR)coreIFR is both an exhibitor and key industry data provider for Automate, presenting market research and industry statistics on global robotics adoption.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Automate competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Automatica: Munich-based trade fair for robotics and automation, focused on smart production, vision, and AI. Direct peer targeting overlapping European and global exhibitor/attendee bases.
- IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show): Biennial manufacturing technology trade show held at McCormick Place, Chicago, attracting 80,000+ attendees and 1,800+ exhibitors. Direct competitor for industrial automation exhibitor wallet share in North America.
- Hannover Messe: The world's leading industrial trade fair held annually in Hannover, Germany, covering automation, robotics, digital industry, and energy. Direct global counterpart to Automate for industrial automation exhibitors.
- SPS (Smart Production Solutions): Leading European trade show for smart and digital automation held annually in Nuremberg. Direct peer competing for industrial automation exhibitor budgets with strong focus on controls and drives.
- FABTECH: North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, and welding event with strong automation and robotics content. Comparable audience of manufacturing decision-makers and exhibitor mix.
- ProMat: Premier material handling and logistics automation trade show in North America, hosted by MHI. Competes for the same logistics and warehouse-automation exhibitors and attendees that Automate now courts.
- PACK EXPO: Packaging automation trade show produced by PMMI, drawing 40,000+ attendees and 2,000+ exhibitors across Las Vegas and Chicago events. Direct peer for packaging-line automation exhibitor spend.
Regional players
- IREX (International Robot Exhibition): Japan's flagship biennial robotics trade show held in Tokyo, with strong attendance from Asian robotics suppliers and integrators. Comparable scope on robotics specifically, but focused on the APAC market.
Broad incumbents
- CES (Consumer Electronics Show): Largest consumer electronics trade show, increasingly featuring AI, robotics, and automation exhibitors. A broader incumbent that draws overlapping sponsors and aspirational automation vendors.
Others
- Association for Advancing Automation (A3): Parent organization that produces Automate and serves as the umbrella trade association for robotics, vision, motion control, and AI. Included as the organizing entity whose strategic decisions directly govern Automate's direction.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Automate social profiles
Digital presenceAutomate financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Automate leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Automate funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Automate M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Automate
What does Automate do?
Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation trade show and conference, produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). The event brings together over 1,000 exhibitors and 50,000+ attendees to showcase robotics, AI, machine vision, motion control, and industrial automation solutions, complemented by paid conference sessions, professional certification programs (CVP, CMCP), and the Automate Startup Challenge offering a $10,000 prize.
Is Automate a public or private company?
Automate is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Automate founded?
Automate was founded in 2013.
Where is Automate based?
Automate is headquartered in Detroit, United States, in the North America region.
How does Automate make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Conference Passes are the primary driver. The others are exhibitor Booth Fees and sponsorship Packages.
Who are Automate's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Automatica, IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show), Hannover Messe, SPS (Smart Production Solutions), FABTECH, ProMat and PACK EXPO. IREX (International Robot Exhibition) is listed as a regional player. CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is listed as a broad incumbent. Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is listed as an others.
Does Automate have an API?
No public API is recorded for Automate.
What industry is Automate in?
Automate's product category is Industrial Automation Trade Shows. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGABAG, Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAG, Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders). Its NAICS code is 561920.