Chicago’s top expos in Fall 2026 to explore the future of robotics & AI in medicine

Chicago is lining up a busy fall 2026 with major trade shows and professional meetings that will draw tens of thousands of visitors across artificial intelligence, manufacturing, healthcare, packaging, construction and finance. The schedule runs from August through October and includes some of the largest industry gatherings in the country.

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Finance leads the season

The Illinois CPA Society’s ICPAS SUMMIT will take place Wednesday, Aug. 26, through Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, with a pre-conference workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The accounting and finance event will offer nearly 50 sessions and up to 16 hours of continuing professional education credit, according to a press release from ICPAS.

Geoffrey Brown, CPA Society president and CEO, said in the announcement, “The professional landscape is changing faster than ever, creating both new challenges and exciting opportunities.” Brown added, “SUMMIT brings together the ideas, perspectives, and conversations professionals need to stay ahead.”

According to the announcement, one of the featured sessions includes “U.S. Economic Outlook: A New Landscape,” which will be presented by Chief Economist at Fifth Third Bank Jeffrey Korzenik and President and CEO of The Economic Club of Chicago David Snyder.

Manufacturing and medicine shine with new technologies

IMTS, the International Manufacturing Technology Show, opens the stretch Monday, Sept. 14, through Saturday, Sept. 19 at McCormick Place. The event bills itself as the “largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere” and is expected to bring together innovators, sellers and leaders in manufacturing technology. Featured products and companies include 3D printing technology and SpaceX. More details are available at IMTS.

Next comes the Scientific Session of the American College of Artificial Intelligence and Medicine on Friday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 10. The program will feature keynote talks, panel discussions on AI ethics and bias, workshops on clinical workflow, and research presentations on AI-driven diagnostics and decision support, according to the American College of Artificial Intelligence and Medicine. This medical conference is designed for clinicians, researchers, educators, health care leaders, policy advisers and trainees working at the intersection of AI and medicine.

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Packaging, construction round out the calendar

PACK EXPO International follows on Sunday, Oct. 18, through Wednesday, Oct. 21, with 2,600 exhibitors and about 48,000 packaging and processing professionals, according to PACK EXPO International. The event will showcase packaging, processing and automation technologies and include networking across more than 40 industries.

Chicago Build 2026 is set for Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Thursday, Oct. 29, as the Midwest’s largest construction and design show for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The event lists 30,000-plus attendees, 450-plus speakers and 350-plus exhibitors, along with zones focused on AI and digital construction, fire safety and security, and HVACR, according to Chicago Build.