6 Reasons to Attend the 2026 A3 Business Forum

From can’t-miss addresses on the global economy, to knockout networking opportunities, the A3 Business Forum is the most impactful event of the year for the industrial automation industry.

The most anticipated networking event of the year for the automation industry is set to commence in Orlando, Florida, January 19-21, 2026. With over 700 of the biggest industry players expected in attendance, the A3 Business Forum, open only to members of the Association of Advancing Automation (A3), cannot be missed. With so much to offer, we break down the top reasons to attend this year’s event.

1. Unparalleled Networking Opportunities

The networking opportunities at the A3 Business Forum are unrivaled in the industry. World leaders in robotics, vision and imaging, motion control and motors, and industrial artificial intelligence all converge at this three-day event. While there, they share their expertise, discuss today’s toughest challenges, and make crucial connections to move their businesses forward.

With C-suit business leaders in attendance from some of the most innovative and impactful companies in automation, Alex Shikany, A3 executive vice president, described it best when he labeled this event as the center of the automation universe.

A3 Business Forum draws in leaders from big enterprises like Proctor and Gamble, New Balance, and 3M, but is equally impactful for smaller organizations and startups as well. Attendees come from a range of companies, including manufacturers, system integrators, suppliers, and end users. If you’re looking for a partner in any of these sectors, there’s no better place to establish these connections.

Feedback consistently shows that A3 Business Forum is the most effective membership benefit of the whole year from the association. Sam Hostvedt, president of Automation Distribution & MDCI Automation agrees. "The Business Forum has been worth our membership alone," he shares. "You never know who you're going to run into at the A3 Business Forum. Whether there’s a new potential customer, a new partner, a new vendor, or a new technology supplier. It's a great place to see a lot of friendly faces that you’ve seen over the years. But it's also a great place to meet new companies and find new technologies."

As the driving mission of the whole event, there are plenty of networking opportunities built into the agenda each day, including our next highlight.

2. Tech Sector Opening Receptions

A3 is excited to host tech sector time to the A3 Business Forum! On Monday evening, attendees will be treated to an exclusive networking reception, tailored to their industry interests. Broken down into robotics and artificial intelligence, vision and imaging, and motion control and motors, this breakout offers you a powerful opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals who share your passion and curiosity.

There’s a great history and much anticipation surrounding this time, explains Shikany. "Before it was the A3 Business Forum, this conference was separate events devoted to each of those technologies. And it was something that was really valuable for people in those specific communities. So we're excited to offer specific time for those technology groups to get together on this year's agenda — really devote some time to networking and diving into the issues unique to each of those groups."

3. Access to Economic Insights for 2026 and Beyond

You’ll want to grab your seat early for the most-anticipated session of each Forum. Brian Beaulieu, CEO and chief economist of ITR Economics, will give his economic outlook for 2026 and early 2027. The insights provided can help decision makers anticipate and navigate the complex economic landscape that lies ahead. 

4. A3 Sports Night Party

One of the most-loved nights of the A3 Business Forum is the Sports Night Party. This is your chance to show off your team spirit, wherever your allegiances may lie, and enjoy a lively evening filled with friendly competition, relaxed networking, and all around fun. Be sure to come dressed in your jersey!

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5. Inspiring Keynotes

With an impressive lineup of keynote speakers at this year’s Forum, members will gain inspiration and insight from the best in their fields. Guests will hear from our opening keynote speaker, Peter Sheahan, C-suite adviser, author and speaker, as he teaches attendees how to turn the challenges and uncertainty of today’s market into opportunity and competitive advantage.

On day two, an executive roundtable from across the tech sectors, featuring Mike Cicco of FANUC America, Andre Marino of Schneider Electric, and Johannes Zurin of Allied Vision/TKH 2D Vision, will discuss the trends shaping automation today and look towards what’s coming next.

AI will be a hot topic on both days two and three. On Tuesday, Google execs Renelito Delos Santos and Anoop Sinha will demonstrate how combining AI collaboration and AI automation creates highly effective solutions through practical examples. On Wednesday, Dex Hunter-Torricke, an emerging technologies expert with experience at Google, SpaceX, and Facebook, will examine how AI-enabled threats and opportunities will reshape the foundations of trust, data provenance, and societal resilience.

Be sure to stick around till the end to catch a live recording of Automated, A3’s newly launched podcast spotlighting the people sharing the future of automation. Host Brian Heater, managing editor at A3, will sit down with Mikell Taylor, senior director of Robotics at General Motors, for an in-depth conversation on the evolving role of robotics, navigating innovation inside a legacy manufacturer, and what’s next for automation in automotive.

There are many more sessions, so join us as we explore how to create brand loyalty through standout experiences with Brittany Hodak, author of Creating Superfans, debut the Age of Automation series produced for A3 by the BBC, discover the latest automation statistics and key market drivers, and much more. To see the full list of sessions, click here.

6. Fun in the Florida Sun

And lastly, we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight how heading to a warm and sunny locale in the middle of North America’s winter is a definite perk of this yearly event. Many members even bring along spouses or other guests to join us at this Florida destination. With an average temperature of 72°F in January, the Forum programming takes full advantage of its natural surroundings.

Attendees can partake in the annual golf outing that kicks off the A3 Business Forum with an 8:30 a.m. tee time on Monday morning. Golfers will play a round of 18 holes at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, hailed as one of Golf Magazine’s "Top Courses You Can Play."

For those who wish to start their day with some movement, Tuesday’s A3 Wellness Walk/Run is for you. At this friendly 5k, you can go at your own pace and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings in the company of others seeking a healthy way to start your morning.

And don’t forget to pack your suits, bathing suits, that is, for some relaxing time spent lounging by the beautiful pool at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

The time is now to make this crucial investment in your business and we can’t wait to see you at the 2026 A3 Business Forum. Register now to join us in Florida from January 19-21, 2026.