Recapping the 2026 A3 Business Forum

Last month, LEAF – along with 700 other automation leaders from across the globe – attended the 2026 A3 Business Forum in Orlando, FL. This event is the premier networking and thought‑leadership gathering for the automation industry, and I left with a renewed sense of excitement about where the industry is headed and how quickly innovation is accelerating.

The forum brought together OEMs, system integrators, end users, and solution providers for candid conversations about growth, challenges, and opportunities in automation. Beyond the high‑level market outlooks, what stood out most was the willingness of leaders to openly share lessons learned and collaborate on solutions that help manufacturers move faster and smarter. Here are my biggest takeaways from this year’s event.

Technology Is Advancing Faster Than Ever

One of the biggest themes from the A3 Business Forum was just how rapidly automation technology continues to evolve. Automation is becoming more intelligent, more flexible, and more accessible across industries. Advanced systems are now easier to deploy and scale, helping manufacturers respond to labor challenges, supply chain volatility, and increasing customer expectations. Yes, these advancements are improving efficiency – but they’re also fundamentally changing how work gets done on the factory floor.

Adoption Is No Longer Optional

Another recurring theme throughout the forum was the growing urgency around adoption. Automation is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s a competitive necessity. Organizations that delay modernization risk falling behind peers that are leveraging automation to increase efficiencies, improve quality, and create safer, more resilient operations.

What was especially encouraging was hearing from companies at different stages of their automation journeys. Whether they were just getting started or expanding existing deployments, leaders agreed that success comes from taking a long‑term view and building a roadmap that aligns technology investments with business goals.

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Financing Can Accelerate Automation Growth

Of course, as automation capabilities expand, so do the financial considerations. Many of the conversations I had at the forum centered on how businesses can adopt new technology without straining cash flow or delaying growth initiatives.

That’s one of the many reasons LEAF is an A3 member and why I’ve spent so much time working with businesses in the industry. Financing enables manufacturers to move forward with automation projects sooner – often turning large capital expenditures into predictable operating expenses. By aligning payment structures with the value automation delivers, businesses can invest confidently while preserving capital for other strategic priorities.

Looking Ahead to June

The energy and collaboration at the A3 Business Forum made one thing clear: the automation community is stronger when we come together. I’m already looking forward to continuing these conversations at Automate 2026 in June, where industry leaders will once again connect, learn, and shape what’s next for automation.

Until then, if you’d like to discuss the future of automation – whether you’re looking to adopt more automation in your operations or help businesses adopt your technologies – I’d love to connect. Reach out to me anytime: Steve Clyne at 917-406-4161 or [email protected].