ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 - man at the heart of industry

Published the 18/09/2025

Halls full of new products, robots working hand in hand with humans, huge machining centres working at full speed, experts exchanging experiences and ideas—this is what the ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 trade fair promises to be. This event has been setting the pulse of modern industry in Poland and the entire region of Central and Eastern Europe for years. The upcoming edition will be unique not only in terms of scale, but above all thanks to new initiatives and thematic zones. The starting point for creating the ITM 2026 concept is the belief that HUMANS are the driving force behind all technological changes, and the fair provides a space for close meetings of people connected by industry.

The focal point of the programme will be the thematic areas that have been the heart of the ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE trade fair for years: AUTOMA, MACH-TOOL, WELDING and SURFEX.

The division into four exhibitions, referring to the historical names of the fairs that accompanied the ITM fair in the past, is, on the one hand, a nod to tradition and, on the other, a way to meet the expectations of our exhibitors. We heard from them in business conversations that they felt the need to identify more with a specific industry. It was the companies we have been cooperating with for years that inspired us to create EXHIBITIONS based on brands already established among our exhibitors and visitors. Of course, the name of the ITM trade fair remains unchanged—it is the umbrella brand of the entire industrial bloc. Just like the slogan: INNOVATIONS, TECHNOLOGIES, MACHINES, continues to define the core of this event, says Joanna Kucharska, Director of the Product Group of Grupa MTP.

Automa-one of the four pillars of the exhibition
The AUTOMA Automation, Robotics and Pneumatics Exhibition is a space where the largest suppliers of modern solutions in the field of industrial process automation meet. Visitors can expect to see an exhibition of industrial robots, cobots and the latest solutions in pneumatics and control. The return of the zones that have been enjoying great popularity will be a particular attraction for participants. One of them is Pneumat Game, where you can feel the spirit of competition and test yourself in the pneumatic version of classic slot machines. These emotions and competitions for the maintenance staff will also be present in the 2026 edition. The Collaborative Robot Zone will also return.

As the exhibitors recall, a unique atmosphere prevailed in these spaces.

Michał Pniewski, who represented Schmalz—the main partner of the Collaborative Robot Zone, emphasised that the common space created by the partners was not only a place for presenting innovative technologies, but also a platform for exchanging experiences.

Visitors came with specific needs, and the conversations at the stands were substantive and often concerned real implementation projects. For visitors, the zone was a place where they could see innovative technologies and the operation of collaborative robots live. Interactive presentations and the opportunity to ask detailed questions to experts meant that participants left the stand feeling that they had gained new, practical knowledge and found solutions tailored to their needs. We are also pleased with the excellent cooperation between the zone's partners—together we have created a professional and coherent space showcasing the real possibilities of cobots, says Michał Pniewski.

MACH-TOOL-the centre of working machines
One of the pillars of the fair will also be the MACH-TOOL Exhibition, a space dedicated to machine tools and tools. This is one of those places where industrial tradition meets its most innovative face. Visitors will be able to see large-scale machining centres, modern milling machines, lathes and numerically controlled grinders, as well as innovative cutting tools in action. Visitors will be able to see large-scale machining centres, modern milling machines, lathes and numerically controlled grinders in action, as well as innovative cutting tools and sheet metal processing technologies—from precision lasers and punching machines to press brakes and lines for bending and thermal cutting. This is where you will discover how advanced laser systems and process automation are revolutionising the metal industry, ensuring speed, precision and efficiency in production.

Exhibitors prepare numerous live shows, which have been a key element of this exhibition for years—the noise of machinery and the smell of coolant are elements that create a unique atmosphere in this part of the exhibition and show industry at its most tangible.

SURFEX-Exhibition of Surface Treatment Technologies
The latest solutions in the field of painting, galvanisation, thermo-chemical treatment, and protective and decorative coatings will be on display at the SURFEX Exhibition. Companies operating in this sector are announcing the launch of their flagship products, which allow for increased durability and quality of components while reducing the environmental impact of the processes. SURFEX is a space particularly eagerly visited by representatives of the automotive, household appliances, aviation and construction industries who are looking for technologies that extend the life cycle of key components in their production lines.

WELDING-welding innovations
Exhibitors will present robotic welding stations, safety systems and solutions that revolutionise material joining processes at the WELDING exhibition—a place of welding innovations. This thematic space has been a place for intensive business talks for years, but also for practical presentations that attract both experienced welders and representatives of the technical staff of large production plants.

Demobuses and planned events
The DEMOBUS zone, which debuted during the ITM 2025 edition outside the exhibition halls, was very positively received by participants. The outdoor exhibition allowed for the presentation of industrial automation solutions in an accessible demonstration format, using specialised buses. The demobus zone is an interesting addition to the fair, and customers visited us with great interest. The most important condition is good weather, and this year it was perfect. The location was also perfect, as some people started or ended their day at the fair in the zone. The very form of presenting solutions is attractive and generates great interest, says Tomasz Dawid from Balluff.

In addition to the four main exhibitions, the organisers have also prepared several new programmes. In 2026, the following areas will debut: the Tool Zone, the Industrial Metrology Zone and the Industrial Application Zone, in which a special place will be occupied by companies offering solutions from the IT sector. There are also plans to prepare topics for the arms industry and launch certified training for narrow groups of recipients.

A strong highlight of the programme remains the 'Women Factories of the Future' conference, which in 2025 attracted a large group of participants and demonstrated that diversity and the role of women in industrial processes deserve a strong voice. The first edition of the 'Women Factories of the Future' conference proved to be a hit—it demonstrated that women in technical and industrial sectors not only support companies but actually co-create them. The best proof of this were the speakers who spoke with great power and authenticity on the DBR77 stage. Even though it was the first event of this type at the ITM trade fair, it attracted great interest. There's still a belief that the technical world belongs mainly to men—and we wanted to show that women also play key roles in it, says Agnieszka Wnuk, conference coordinator and B2B marketing expert.

The organisers, in cooperation with DBR77, are planning the next edition of the conference. Moreover, the prelude to this event will be a special edition of the popular LinkedIn Local meeting addressed exclusively to the industrial sector, scheduled for 9 October 2025 in Poznań. The partner of the meeting is the ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE trade fair.

New graphic theme for the ITM trade fair
The 2026 edition also begins communication with a completely new graphic theme.

The starting point for the project was the assumption that humans are always at the centre of industry. They are the driving force behind change, the creators of innovation, and the guarantors that even the most advanced technologies and machines will not be created without human vision. The new identity, inspired by fingerprints, combines the symbolism of human individuality with an industrial character. We hope this will be a unique message for the entire industry, Joanna Kucharska reveals the secrets of the new concept.

A meeting that connects
ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 promises to be not only the largest, but also the most diverse industrial event in this part of Europe. Four days of trade fairs, hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors will meet again in Poznań to discover modern technologies and solutions together. The organisers pay special attention to the trust of participants. The results of the satisfaction survey among those participating in 2025 confirm that nearly 85 percent of respondents would recommend the event to others, and over 85 percent declare their participation in 2026. The organisers' optimism is further strengthened by the latest market data. The eurozone manufacturing PMI stood at 50.7 points in July 2025, marking the first time in over three years that it has returned above the threshold of 50.

ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE will be held on 26-29.05.2026 on the fairgrounds of MTP Poznań Expo. The exhibition of the Modernlog and Subcontracting fairs will be available simultaneously.

For more information: ITM Industry Europe

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