Registration is now open for Automation Fair 2026. Organized by Rockwell Automation, the four-day event (November 16–19) will take place in Boston, Massachusetts. It will bring together industrial automation and digital transformation professionals to explore the technologies, applications and strategies shaping the future of industrial operations. DirectIndustry will be there to report from the event.
Automation Fair is expecting 14,000 industry professionals, 150+ interactive exhibits, 250 educational sessions and 500+ hours of advanced training.
Four Days Focused on the Future of Industrial Operations
Automation Fair 2026 will bring together executives, managers, engineers, technical professionals and industrial automation specialists from across industries. As every year, the program will combine keynote presentations, technical sessions, hands-on training, industry summits and an extensive exhibition floor.
The Expo will give visitors the opportunity to see automation technologies, software, equipment and industrial applications in operation. Off-site tours will also provide a closer look at real-world implementations at local customers, partners and Rockwell manufacturing facilities.
The event will also address the convergence of technologies increasingly influencing industrial operations, from automation and robotics to software, data and AI.
DirectIndustry Will Be in Boston
DirectIndustry will be among the invited media attending Automation Fair 2026. Our editorial team will be on site in Boston throughout the event to report from the exhibition floor. We will meet manufacturers and technology providers, and explore the industrial applications presented during the four-day program. (Read about Automation Fair 2025 / Automation Fair 2024 / Automation Fair 2023).
Our coverage will go beyond the announcements and product demonstrations. We will examine what these technologies mean for industrial companies in practice. For example, how automation is evolving, where AI and digital technologies are being deployed, and how manufacturers are approaching the transformation of their operations.
Follow DirectIndustry’s coverage from Boston for interviews, technology stories and on-the-ground reporting from Automation Fair 2026.
Registration Is Now Open
Visitors can choose between two main access options.
The General Access Pass includes access to all four days of the event, keynote presentations, the Expo, Summits, Off-site Tours, educational sessions, networking opportunities and daily lunch.
For professionals looking for deeper technical training, the General Access + Advanced Training Pass adds advanced-level technical training and hands-on labs, with opportunities to earn Professional Development Hour (PDH) credits.
Early registration pricing is currently available through September 15:
- General Access Pass: $495
- General Access + Advanced Training Pass: $1,595
Prices increase after September 15, so Rockwell Automation recommends registering early.
Need Your Manager’s Approval? Rockwell Has Prepared a Template
For professionals interested in attending but who need internal approval, Rockwell Automation has also prepared an “Approval Request to Attend Automation Fair 2026” template.
The sample email is designed to help employees make the business case for attending the event and can be personalized with the expected takeaways relevant to their company and role.
Among the arguments highlighted by Rockwell are the opportunity to gain a clearer view of where industrial automation is heading, evaluate technologies and applications directly with experts, learn from real-world customer implementations and reduce the time spent gathering information across multiple vendors and events.
For companies considering the investment, the suggested request emphasizes that bringing together this level of technical expertise, demonstrations and peer exchange in a single event can help teams make more informed technology and investment decisions.
