The significance of IMTS is clear. This year, the event drew more than 90,000 registered attendees from 113 countries and all 50 U.S. states. A total of 1,788 exhibiting firms presented their products, technologies, and solutions, with 400 of them participating in the trade show for the first time. The total exhibition space reached approximately 109,000 m² (nearly 1.2 million sq. ft.).

Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the lineup of 11 Czech companies attended IMTS 2026 in times of rising demand for advanced engineering solutions across the United States. Participating Czech firms confirmed growing interest among U. S. businesses to forge strategic partnerships, recognizing the potential partnership with their Czech counterparts has to offer.

Located at the McCormick Place Convention Center, the Czech Pavilion was officially inaugurated on September 14^th by the Consul General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, Jakub Utěšený and by the General Manager of the Czech Association of Engineering Technology, Ivo Červenka.

The delegation also welcomed David Müller, Trade Representative and Director General of the EU and Foreign Trade Section at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The Director met with the Czech exhibitors and in addition to supporting the participating firms, he engaged in conversations with key partners at the US Department of Commerce. Joint business opportunities for Czech and US companies and the future representation of Czech engineering and machine tool industry at IMTS 2028 were also discussed.

Czech representation at IMTS 2026 was significant, with a total of 11 premier companies showcasing the innovation, quality and expertise of Czech manufacturing: TOS Varnsdorf; TOS Hulín; TOS Olomouc; Fermat; Ajax; RETOS Varnsdorf; Walter CZ; HESTEGO; KSK Precise Tools; IDEAL-Trade Service and VÚTS.

Czech presence at IMTS 2026 helped not only to reinforce existing partnerships but also opened further doors for future trade. By connecting with key industry leaders in Chicago, the Czech representation laid foundations for ongoing business between Czech and U.S. industry partners as U.S. demand for high-quality industry solutions continues to expand.

 

Prepared by Josef Dvořáček, Head of Trade and Economic Department, Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago

Sebastian Wright, Intern, Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago