Kick off the Forum with our A3 Golf Scramble, a fun and relaxed networking opportunity. Connect with fellow members and build relationships on the green while enjoying a friendly round of golf before the main event begins!

Waldorf Astoria Golf Course, 18 holes
Tee Time: 8:30 AM
Pre-registration required. Click here to secure your spot! 

Sponsored by the A3 Inclusive Leadership Committee, this luncheon is a unique opportunity for women within the A3 community to come together, build meaningful connections, and exchange inspiring experiences. Join us in celebrating strength, resilience, and shared success!

Registration is now closed.

Step into a world of connections and opportunities at our exclusive First Time Attendee Reception, the perfect start to your Forum experience! This reception is designed especially for those attending the conference for the first time. Come, join our vibrant community, and let this reception set the stage for a conference filled with inspiration, growth, and meaningful connections. Your journey starts here!

Sponsored by Harmonic Drive LLC

Leland looks back on his uncommon life — he was the first person in human history to catch a pass in the NFL and walk in space. Leland will examine his life through the prism of success and achievement. How did he succeed where he rightly should have failed? What motivated him to overcome injuries, setbacks, expulsions, and debilitating deafness? Leland will not only recount his path with honesty and curiosity, but he will also mine the latest thinking by researchers, authors, and academics, applying their work to his own life – and by extension giving the audience applicable takeaways.

Leland Melvin

Former NASA Astronaut and NFL Wide Receiver

Sponsored by QC Conveyors

Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection and camaraderie at the opening networking dinner of our membership conference. Let's spark conversations and build fellowship in a welcoming atmosphere.

Premier Fitness Sponsor: Rethink Robotics
Fitness Sponsors: Bishop-Weaver Corporation and Midwest Optical Systems, Inc.

Take a step towards well-being with our invigorating Wellness Walk/Run. Lace up your shoes, breathe in the fresh air, and embrace a healthier you. Start your morning on the right foot with our friendly 5k! We'll meet in the hotel lobby and provide the route.

Fee: Complimentary

Sponsored by Universal Robots

2025 looks to be a year of recovery for some markets and real growth for others, while still others can expect a measure of cyclical decline. Attendees will be able to see the future before it is here so that the scarce resources can be properly allocated. Tracking the leading indicators and being nimble as plans are drawn for beyond 2025 is imperative. The winds of growth, inflation, and interest rates are likely to shift as we go beyond 2025. We will present our forecasts for inflation and interest rates as well as our outlook for the forces that drive your markets. This outlook will require a change in perspective so that you can successfully plan and change to maximize your profits in both the near and longer term.

Alan Beaulieu

Principal
ITR Economics

Sponsored by Realtime Robotics

If we are going to build and deploy ROI-positive automation in human populated spaces we all need tools to inoculate ourselves against falling for over optimistic promises of nascent technologies in terms of both effectiveness and time to market. Undeniably there are powerful new tools being developed, and over time new capabilities that are reliable enough to be deployed in critical infrastructure such as manufacturing, supply chains, and on road vehicles will come about. What we all want is to figure out which technologies to back so they'll be delivered in the timeframe where we need new capabilities.

Rodney Brooks

CTO and Co-Founder
Robust.AI

Join industry leaders for an engaging panel discussion exploring the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of automation. From robotics to AI integration, discover how innovation is transforming industries and unlocking new possibilities. Gain insights into emerging trends and technologies that are redefining what’s next in automation.

Adrian Stoch

Chief Automation Officer
GXO

Jon Battles

VP Technology Strategy
Collaborative Robotics

Nick Saunders

CEO & Founder
Hummingbird Systems

Rajat Bhageria

Founder and CEO
Chef Robotics

Ritesh Ragavender

Founder & CEO
Reflex Robotics

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into physical systems—from robots to autonomous vehicles—questions of trust, reliability, and human interaction take center stage. Join Ayanna Howard, esteemed Dean of Engineering at Ohio State University and a trailblazer in AI and robotics, for an engaging keynote on the evolution and future of embodied AI. Dr. Howard will delve into the intersection of cutting-edge technology and human behavior, exploring how we can design systems that not only perform efficiently but also inspire trust in real-world environments. Drawing on her extensive expertise, she’ll provide insights into overcoming challenges, maintaining human oversight, and ensuring ethical deployment—all while navigating the fast-paced, high-stakes world of AI development.

Ayanna Howard

Dean of Engineering
Ohio State University

Sponsored by Macnica Americas

Economic, regulatory, and geopolitical risks now exert an outsized impact on every industry, especially technology. Geoff Colvin brings his experience at Fortune to show the interconnectedness of these factors and how winning businesses are strategizing for a new environment. Geoff is analytical and will focus on regions and industries most important for automation. He'll also describe actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately.

Geoff Colvin

Senior Editor at Large
Fortune

Sponsored by Coval Vacuum Technology, Inc., SCHUNK Inc., and Universal Robots

Get ready to play and party with an energetic Sports Night! Join us for an evening of friendly competition, memories, and jubilation. Remember to wear your favorite sports jersey, vintage or current!

Generative AI is transforming our world at a speed never before seen in history. For the first time, everyone has unprecedented access to harness and shape data changing the landscape of business and lives. Discover how to actually use these powerful technologies and unlock the opportunities that will forever redefine how you live, work, and connect.

Sam Richter

Founder and CEO
SBR Worldwide/Know More

Sponsored by Miller Resource Group

This session will explore the latest data and trends shaping the automation industry, providing a deep dive into key market drivers, emerging opportunities, and challenges. Gain valuable insights to help your organization stay ahead in the fast-evolving world of automation.

Alex Shikany

Executive Vice President
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Join us for a discussion on the intersection of advocacy and automation. The panelists will explore how emerging technologies like robotics and AI are shaping policy and the strategies behind effective advocacy for automation. You will gain insights into navigating regulatory challenges, fostering innovation, and ensuring responsible policy development in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Brendan Schulman

VP of Policy & Government Relations
Boston Dynamics, Inc.

Jeff Burnstein

President
Association of Advancing Automation (A3)

Tony Samp

Principal Advisor | Head of AI Policy
DLA Piper Global Law Firm